Legal status and visa requirements for those who were forced to leave Ukraine
Ukrainians coming to Malta receive a temporary protection status, according to the “Temporary protection Directive”, following the directive of the European Union (2001/55/EC). In accordance with the provisions of the Temporary Protection Directive, holders of the status will be entitled to:
- residence permits
- access to the labour market and accommodation
- social and welfare assistance
- medical care (including, as minimum essential emergency care and essential treatment of illness)
- access to education for children and teenagers
homeaffairs.gov.mt
ec.europa.eu
The asylum information database gives an excellent overview:
Ukrainian citizens can enter Malta without a visa using their biometric passports. But the following documents should be presented when applying for temporary protection:
- original identification documents (passport, identity card, etc.)
- travel documents that show the travel route
- original or printed copies of birth certificates of minor children
- printed copies (documents cannot be printed at the International Protection Agency (IPA)) of:
– the first page of their passport – identity card (with the personal detail information/biodata page)
– of the page(s) including the stamp related to entry in the EU and/or the pages with the VISA issued by an EU Member state.
Refugee status/ asylum seeker status/ temporary protection status
Information and appointments for an application for temporary protection are available through the following email of the Maltese government’s International Protection Agency: info.ipa@ipa.gov.mt
The International Protection Agency is the official agency in Malta for all processes.
International Protection Agency, Fafner House, Triq Nazzjonali Ħamrun, HMR 9011
Telephone: 2125 5257
Email: info@ipa.gov.mt
Holders of Temporary Protection status will be issued with a permit until 4 March 2023. If the reasons for granting temporary protection subsist, this status may be renewed for another two consecutive periods of 6 months each, i.e. until 4 March 2024.
For those who arrive and stay in Malta
There are many institutions and sources supportive of Ukrainians in Malta:
- The new Community Crisis Centre in Malta, established in February, coordinates the collection and distribution of supplies for those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and provides assistance and resources to those displaced from the country. With the help of numerous volunteers, the centre also operates a 24-hour hotline, available at +356 99204051.
- Malta refugee council
- Useful are also the EU integration websites at ec.europa.eu
- Housing for Ukrainian Refugees
- Agency for the Welfare of Asylum seekers
Block C, Belt is-sebh Floriana FRN 1700,
Telephone: 2568 7200
Email: awas@gov.mt
Progett Kenn Migrants Commission
Proġett KENN is about overcoming some obstacles that lead to the exclusion of migrants from the socio-cultural fabric of Maltese society.
The rationale behind it is to create an opportunity for both migrants who need accommodation and families in Malta who KENN and are willing to host migrants in their own homes for three months with a possibility of extending up to six months. We believe that this will facilitate the integration process of migrants into Maltese society.
The project will be providing migrants with basic assistance through accommodation.
Migrants and the hosting families will have the opportunity to get to know and understand each other’s culture(s), customs, and traditions thus understanding the dynamics of integration from the perspective of lived experience; and
A space which encourages peaceful inter-cultural dialogue and negotiation through the sharing of the lived-in space.
Contact us at kenn@migrants.mt
Jesuit Services Malta
JRS Malta seeks to accompany, serve, and defend the rights of asylum seekers and forcibly displaced persons who arrive in Malta. The team engages with people at different stages of their journey, often meeting people shortly after their arrival, and accompanying them as they navigate life in Malta.
JRS regularly visits detention and open centres to provide basic information, mainly about the rights of asylum seekers, documentation, education, and employment. Furthermore, the team provides professional legal, social work, psychological and health care support to refugees in centres and in the community. JRS Malta also advocates on behalf of refugees on a national level and runs awareness-raising programs in schools, Parishes, and various social groups.
Learn more about staying in Malta:
Interpretation services (local NGOs, volunteers, reception centres)
No language services are indicated on websites by all agencies involved in the help of Ukrainians. However, the local Community Crisis Centre in Malta is a reception centre with a 24-hour hotline, available at +356 99204051.
Access to the healthcare services
Legal prerequisites for healthcare services and fees
After completing the registration of getting the status for Temporary Protection, healthcare is accessible.
However, registering is necessary, the agency for this is the Maltese Health Department Entitlement Unit, which issues a Certificate of Entitlement. With this certificate registering with a family doctor is possible.
See more information here:
When registered for state healthcare in Malta, most services are free. There is a payment for prescribed medicine.
Where can the Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine go for the following healthcare services?
In accordance with the provisions of the Temporary Protection Directive, holders of the status will be entitled to medical care (including, as minimum essential emergency care and essential treatment of illness).
Acute treatment, Chronic/long-term treatment
When Acute treatment/First aid must be administered, and no medical care is otherwise available: visit a hospital outpatient department or call an ambulance.
Hospital Accident and Emergency departments are available in en.wikipedia.org/List_of_hospitals_in_Malta
Visiting family doctors (also called GPs – general practitioners)
For most health problems, for example, when there is a need for screening or testing or chronic/long-term treatment is required, the first port of entry for the Maltese health system is the family doctor. Family doctors look at patients with a holistic view, e.g. not only illness, but family and work situations, and also looking at preventive care. Family doctors in Malta refer to specialists and hospital care, if the condition requires this, this may include other services like physiotherapy.
An appointment must first be made with all registered doctors. To find a doctor to book an appointment please visit the following website: deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/pdf
Rules for the third-country citizens
While Ukrainian nationals are covered under the EU’s mass influx directive, this only applies to third-country nationals if they are related or have family ties to Ukrainians or if they had been granted asylum in Ukraine.
In Malta, temporary protection shall also be granted to stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine, who can prove that they were legally residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid permanent residence permit issued in accordance with Ukrainian law, and who are unable to return in safe and durable conditions to their country or region of origin.
Services for People Living with HIV
Once temporary protection is granted, HIV services should be available.
A useful point of entry is HIV Malta, a project led by Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement, and made possible by Positive Action for Europe.
Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement
32, Triq il-Parrocca, Il-Mosta MST 2021
(+356) 9925 5559
HIV-testing
HIV testing is available free of charge if temporary protection has been awarded.
Anonymus testing is available at the Genitourinary Clinic and is free of charge.
Genitourinary Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital, Triq id-Donaturi tad-Demm, Msida MSD 2090, MALTA
Telephone: Clinic Direct Line: +356 25457494 For appointment: +356 25457491
Email: guclinic@gov.mt
Antiretroviral treatment (ART)
It has not been specified whether antiretroviral therapy is for free. Only testing is clearly specified as free of charge. It is advisable to contact the Genitourinary clinic at Mater Dei Hospital for further information. It is also advisable to bring a Ukrainian prescription if available, and the medication that was previously prescribed. The Ukrainians who were forced to leave Ukraine on antiretroviral treatment (ART) can bring their own medication into Malta.
Genitourinary Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital, Triq id-Donaturi tad-Demm, Msida MSD 2090, MALTA
Telephone: Clinic Direct Line: +356 25457494 For appointment: +356 25457491
Email: guclinic@gov.mt
How can minors get tested and treated?
Anonymus testing for minors is free and available at Genitourinary clinic, Mater Dei Hospital. For free treatment, the same conditions (as that of adults) apply. Minors don’t need to be accompanied by their parents.
Genitourinary Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital, Triq id-Donaturi tad-Demm, Msida MSD 2090, MALTA
Telephone: Clinic Direct Line: +356 25457494 For appointment: +356 25457491
Email: guclinic@gov.mt
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Pre-exposure prophylaxis is available once temporary protection has been awarded.
The first step is to call the Genitourinary clinic for an appointment.
Once PrEP is initiated, one is required to visit the Genitourinary clinic every three months to assess the status of the kidney, and to screen for HIV and other STIs. Although PrEP is easy and straightforward to follow, it requires regular monitoring.
PrEP is not free of charge in Malta, but can be purchased at a cost of 57 euro per month. The age of consent for receiving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Malta is 16.
Genitourinary Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital, Triq id-Donaturi tad-Demm, Msida MSD 2090, MALTA
Telephone: Clinic Direct Line: +356 25457494 For appointment: +356 25457491
Email: guclinic@gov.mt
How long should /can HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis be taken?
The decision to take PrEP and when to stop it is individual and depends on the client’s needs.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV infection. Ideally within 24 hours after the encounter. It should be taken for 28 days.
PEP is available at the Genitourinary clinic at Mater Dei (preferably within 24 hours, but maximum 72 hours). If the Genitourinary clinic is closed, the Emergency Department (A&E) at Mater Dei can supply PEP and this can be followed up by the GP.
PEP is provided free of charge in Malta only to victims of sexual assault presenting at the Emergency Department or at the Genitourinary clinic within the 72 hour timeframe.
Genitourinary Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital, Triq id-Donaturi tad-Demm, Msida MSD 2090, MALTA
Telephone: Clinic Direct Line: +356 25457494 For appointment: +356 25457491
Email: guclinic@gov.mt
Services for People Living with Hepatitis B or C
Hepatitis B or C testing, hepatitis B vaccination, and hepatitis B or C treatment availability
Testing is provided to those who require such a test and it is for free and anonymous at the Genitourinary clinic at Mater Dei. Vaccination is for free to children that fall within the age group which locally are provided as based on the national immunisation scheme. Hepatitis B vaccine is also provided for free to groups at risk at the sexual health clinic.
Genitourinary Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital, Triq id-Donaturi tad-Demm, Msida MSD 2090, MALTA
Telephone: Clinic Direct Line: +356 25457494 For appointment: +356 25457491
Email: guclinic@gov.mt
Support systems (harm reduction/safer use, social support, or psychosocial support) are available for the Ukrainians undergoing therapy for hepatitis C or related liver diseases
Harm reduction, testing and psychosocial support are available for free at Genitourinary clinic, access is granted to people at risk independently from their legal status and residency.
Genitourinary Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital, Triq id-Donaturi tad-Demm, Msida MSD 2090, MALTA
Telephone: Clinic Direct Line: +356 25457494 For appointment: +356 25457491
Email: guclinic@gov.mt
Tuberculosis services
In general, most services are available at:
Chest Unit, Health Centre, Victory Street, Qormi Tel: 21440177
If the person has TB symptoms:
Contact the Chest Unit for further information
Chest Unit, Health Centre, Victory Street, Qormi Tel: 21440177
If TB was already diagnosed in Ukraine and the person needs to continue treatment:
Contact the Chest Unit within the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate for further information
Chest Unit, Health Centre, Victory Street, Qormi Tel: 21440177
Non-medical support
Contact the Chest Unit within the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate for further information
Chest Unit, Health Centre, Victory Street, Qormi Tel: 21440177
If a person has a Ukrainian prescription for TB treatment medication…
If the medication is available locally, Ukrainians who have a prescription can collect the medicines with that prescription at the pharmacy. If not, the medication will be modified.
Contact the Chest Unit within the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate for further information
Chest Unit, Health Centre, Victory Street, Qormi Tel: 21440177
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination for children
Contact the Chest Unit within the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate for further information
Chest Unit, Health Centre, Victory Street, Qormi Tel: 21440177
Useful links to browse for more information on TB treatment within Malta for Ukrainians:
Contact the Chest Unit within the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate for further information
Chest Unit, Health Centre, Victory Street, Qormi Tel: 21440177
Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) services
CARITAS Malta has a project called Fondazzjoni Caritas Malta, which is specialised in drug rehabilitation services and issues dealing with medication rules, OAT drugs availability, treatment fees, take-home doses, and minimum age for using OAT drugs.
It is advisable to contact Fondazzjoni Caritas Malta for further information:
Caritas Community Centre
Triq Mountbatten,
Ħamrun, ĦMR1577
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2219 9000
Email: info@caritasmalta.org
Sources
General requirements and access to healthcare
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01. Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001
Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof. Available at eur-lex.europa.eu
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04. Times of Malta
Times of Malta “Over 300 Ukrainians given temporary protection in Malta”. Available at timesofmalta.com
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12. Medical and Dental Specialists Register
Healthcare Professions Act Medical Council: Medical and Dental Specialists Register.
deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/pdf
HIV
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02. Dr Valeska Padovese, Consultant at the Genitourinary (GU) clinic, Mater Dei hospital, Msida (Malta)
Dr Valeska Padovese, Consultant at the Genitourinary (GU) clinic, Mater Dei hospital, Msida (Malta); Email: valeska.padovese@gov.mt
Hepatitis B/C
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01. Dr Valeska Padovese, Consultant at the Genitourinary (GU) clinic, Mater Dei hospital, Msida (Malta)
Dr Valeska Padovese, Consultant at the Genitourinary (GU) clinic, Mater Dei hospital, Msida (Malta); Email: valeska.padovese@gov.mt