Maltese people will continue to enjoy free healthcare in the UK even if proposals to charge governments for medical services rendered to their citizens under the European health insurance scheme come into effect.

According to reports in the British press, London is expected to launch a consultation process in the coming weeks on proposals to charge patients from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for emergency treatment.

Patients from countries within the EEA, including Malta, will have to present their European health insurance card to receive treatment and their government would then foot the bill.

However, a spokeswoman for the Maltese health department confirmed that the reported changes would have no impact on an agreement between Malta and the UK. The agreement guarantees free healthcare services in local public institutions for nationals of the two countries on an inpatient and outpatient basis as well as other specialist services.

The agreement was signed 40 years ago, though it was superseded by the European health insurance scheme and applies only to those not covered for healthcare under EU regulations.

It remains in force, however, and could be implemented again if changes are made to the EU agreement or in the event of a British exit from the EU following a referendum likely to take place in the next two years. The British government says its proposed changes are intended to cut down on so-called health tourism but British doctors’ groups have already warned that medics should not be forced to act as border guards.

The government said the proposals were still in consultation phase and nobody would be denied urgent treatment, while vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers would continue to be exempt from any fees.