Can the PR applicant purchase the Hospital Cover without getting the sticker?
No, the applicant would need to obtain the Uniform Residence Permit in order to fulfil the PR requirements. Remember the PR in anticipated to live in Malta however there are no min. stay requirements and thus does not need to spend time Malta. Owing to this, the applicant would need to have the Uniform Residence Permit in order to allow s/he to potentially reside in Malta on a continuous basis.