Malia

Before you head out to Crete, it’s important to ensure you have adequate travel and medical insurance. Here’s what you need to know:

Insurance Coverage
Different insurance providers cover different things, so it’s essential to:

• Read the fine print: Don’t just go for the cheapest option. You want to make sure you’re fully covered in case of an emergency.
• Medical bills: No one wants to be hit with a big bill for something that could’ve been covered.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) / Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

• Current EHIC cards are still valid until their expiry dates.
• If your EHIC has expired, you’ll need to apply for the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).For more details, visit the UK government’s official advice:
  [Visit Europe from 1 January 2021 – GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk)

Medical Help in Malia
If you need medical assistance while in Malia, here’s where you can go:

• Minor issues: Head to a chemist for over-the-counter remedies.
• More serious problems: There is a 24-hour medical centre located in the middle of the strip. This centre serves both tourists and locals.
• Please note that most medical centres in Crete are private, which is why travel insurance is strongly recommended.
• The nearest state hospital is in Heraklion.

Pro tip: Make sure you have everything in place before your trip so you can focus on enjoying Crete, stress-free!

You will need an additional 6 months validity on your passport from the end date of your holiday. Plus your passport must not be more than 10 years old. For more info please visit the following government advice Visit Europe from 1 January 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

If you are in need of any police assistance, there is a police station located in Hersonissos and also one located in Heraklion. In cases of emergency, dial the emergency number 112 to be put directly through to police. A lot of the hotels in Malia have their own security guards, so should you need to report anything in or around your hotel, make sure you go to them.

You will find a number of ATMs in Malia, but before you use them, be sure to check with your bank how much they will charge you to withdraw, as most ATMs will charge you a transaction fee. A number of clubs, bars and restaurants allow you to pay by card, however not everywhere will, so be sure to have a combination of cash and card. You can also use prepaid currency cards when you stay which allow you to top up an amount before you leave and budget your spending. There are also new online banks that are perfect for when you go abroad as they allow you to withdraw a certain amount of money and use your card to a certain limit without any extra charges. Some of our reps use these cards too! Check which ones best suit you.