Travel advice for World Cup

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of Malta in Berlin, yesterday issued travel advice for all those going to Germany for the World Cup between June 9 and July 9.

The following are the main suggestions issued by the ministry:

¤ Ensure that you have a valid passport and national ID card. It is strongly recommended that both are used for travelling.

¤ Make copies of your passport, travel and insurance details and leave them with your family and friends and carry them with you. Or hold the information in a secure e-mail account for access in Germany.

¤ It is strongly suggested that you apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This has replaced the E111 paper form and benefits European Union citizens by providing them with a single personalised card that demonstrates their right to access public healthcare in another EU member state. With the EHIC, if you will need unplanned medical treatment while visiting an EU country or Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, you will receive the treatment for free or at reduced cost. However, to receive this beneficial treatment you will need to take your EHIC with you.

¤ Comprehensive travel and medical insurance should anyway be obtained before travelling. The EHIC complements private insurance but is not a substitute for it. It never covers the cost of bringing you back to Malta in the event of serious illness, accident or death.

¤ Even with an EHIC you may still be faced with large bills to cover your share of the costs in some countries. Private insurance is highly recommended.

The Embassy of Malta in Berlin and the Honorary Consulates of Malta in Germany will be available to assist in case of emergencies.