Welcome to Malta! We are listing some basics on sexual health that may be useful if you need to access sexual health services in Malta.

Some practices might differ from what you are accustomed to in your home country, so we suggest going through the information below. In case of doubt please get in touch with us using Contact Us page. We will also have a stall at the EuroPride village in Valletta, so please come and say hi!

This page is a collaboration between various entities, together with the official EuroPride 2023 organisers.

Visit our Prevention page for basic information on prevention. In terms of services specific to prevention please note below:

  • Free Condoms will be distributed at the Sexual health stall at the EuroPride village in Valletta

  • Leaflets and information on prevention will be available at the Sexual Health stall at the EuroPride village

  • Please note special information related to Monkeypox below

PrEP

PrEP is sold in Malta but dispensed only against a prescription. If you are travelling to Malta please ensure that you get a prescription for PrEP with you. We recommend making sure to bring enough doses to last you during your stay. The average cost of PrEP is EUR 60 for a 30-day supply. Visit our page on PrEP for more information including a list of pharmacies that dispense PrEP.

PEP

PEP IS NOT FREE IN MALTA. If you will be required to access PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) as a treatment after a suspected HIV encounter, the treatment is only available at a cost, which varies between around EUR 600 to EUR 1,000. Very few pharmacies have a stock of PEP, and are currently limited to:

If you are uncertain whether you need PrEP or PEP, learn about the difference between the two using this useful poster designed by Sexual Health Malta.

We have a page with general information on Testing on our website. Specifically for EuroPride, sexual health testing will be carried out at Health Centers in Malta. In addition, Community Testing is taking place in various sessions during EuroPride 2023.

Health Centres

  • A Sexual Health booth will be in place at the EuroPride village. Weather permitting, visit us for free advice, some freebies or just to say hello! We’d love to get to know you.

  • If you notice any ulcers, lesions, discharges, or any other symptom that you think might be related to your sexual health, please visit a Health Centre. The Health Centres operate on a walk-in basis but identification (such as an ID Card or passport) may be required. Doctors will be able to guide you further on what testing and treatments are required.

  • Contact Sexual Health Malta, a professional service that forms part of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate. This service is facilitated by medical health practitioners.

  • Details on how to contact the Genitourinary Clinic (GU Clinic) may be found on our page on Testing.

Community HIV Testing

Checkpoint Malta alongside the Sexual Health Group will also be carrying out Community HIV Testing sessions. Testing during these sessions relates solely to HIV. If you are experiencing any symptoms, refer to a Health Centre as explained above.

Please find details on the sessions below:

Places are limited and booking is recommended. Bookings can be made via e-mail at info@checkpoint.mt. Testing is carried out by trained, non-judgemental volunteers in safe, community-based spaces. Fast-track referrals and counselling will be organised when necessary. 

It is recommended that all sexually active adults get regularly tested. Early detection of HIV infection is ideal as people can go on treatment to protect their immune systems. With treatment, people can reduce the amount of HIV in their body to an undetectable viral load, which also means that they cannot transmit the virus to their sexual partners. This is known as U=U, Undetectable = Untransmittable.  For more information, visit the Checkpoint Malta Facebook page.

This project is in collaboration with the Sexual Health Group consisting of Checkpoint Malta, HIV Malta, Sexual Health Malta, KNŻ - Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Zgħażagħ, MMSA - the Malta Medical Students’ Association and MPSA - the Malta Pharmaceutical Students’ Association. Referrals will be made to the GU Clinic, as necessary. 

What is it?

Monkeypox is an infection caused by a virus closely related to the smallpox virus. Infection is usually transmitted to humans through scratches or bites from infected animals, such as rodents or monkeys. It can also spread between people.

What are the symptoms?

Initial symptoms are fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes (glands), muscle aches, back pain, and low energy. This is followed by a rash, within one to three days of the start of the fever. The rash can be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, and can then crust, dry up and fall off. The number of lesions on one person can range from a few to several thousand. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. They can also be found on the mouth, genitals and eyes.

Symptoms typically last between 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without treatment. People with monkeypox are infectious to others from the onset of fever until all lesions scab over and fall off.

How can I get more information?

Information on Monkeypox can be found on our website. In it, we give advice on avoiding monkeypox, and safe sex practices that reduce the risk of monkeypox. You may also access official information on Sexual Health Malta’s website.