Guide to Healthcare in Cyprus
What’s not to like about Cyprus? The sea, the sun, the leisurely pace of life, low tax rates, and the sun again. However, the idyllic life may be interrupted by having to see a doctor.
No worries — in this article, we tell you all about Cyprus healthcare, from how it works to who to call in case of emergency.
Explained how Cyprus healthcare system works
Overview of Cyprus healthcare system
Cyprus offers public and private healthcare to its nationals and foreign citizens.
The Cyprus public healthcare system has been improving since 2019 following the establishment of a universal health insurance system: the General Healthcare System (GESY).
According to the Country Health Profile by the European Commission, Cyprus is among the healthiest countries in Europe. The country’s death rates from preventable causes are among the lowest in the European Union.
Among the disadvantages of the Cyprus healthcare system is a need for more doctors and nurses in public healthcare, especially during tourist season. Public hospitals in Paphos and Famagusta become packed as the population increases almost twice seasonally.
Still, the number of doctors is higher than average in Europe, and Cyprus hopes to fill the vacant posts with new specialists. There are four medical schools in the country.
Private healthcare offers many options for every pocket. A private healthcare insurance is a must to apply for permanent residence in the country.
Public healthcare in Cyprus
The public system is closely regulated by the Ministry of Health. 933,000 beneficiaries were registered in the system by April 2023, making up three-quarters of the population.
Four categories of people are entitled to public health insurance in Cyprus:
Cyprus citizens;
employees from EU countries;
employees from non-EU states with permanent residence permits in Cyprus;
family members of the beneficiaries above.
The public system is funded by the government. Every Cyprus tax resident has to pay a health tax, depending on their income: 2,65% for employees and pensioners and 4% for self-employed individuals.
In return, GESY provides all medical services for citizens and residents of Cyprus, from a standard medical check to complex surgeries.
Every person registered in GESY has a personal doctor or general practitioner. The latter provides primary health care free of charge and can issue a referral if a patient needs to see a consultant. A visit to a consultant with a referral costs €6; without a referral — €25.
Small co-payments of up to €10 may be charged for extra services, like buying a pharmaceutical product or having a laboratory examination.
There is no charge for women to visit an outpatient specialist in gynaecology or obstetrics or for people serving compulsory military service with a referral by an army doctor.
Depending on age, a person can only see a general practitioner a limited number of times per year.
EU and UK citizens in Cyprus can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to access the Cyprus public healthcare system. The cardholders have to pay €3 to visit a general practitioner and can receive urgent treatment related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a chronic illness.
Permanent residents in Cyprus are eligible for the public healthcare system, provided they have contributed to the country’s budget for at least three years. Permanent residents can issue a medical card online and submit a paper version at any Citizen Service Centre.
Private healthcare in Cyprus
The private healthcare system in Cyprus operates independently from the public system. It is predominantly unregulated, with most of its funding coming directly from customers: Cyprus citizens and foreigners.
Prices in private healthcare differ from company to company and depend on the chosen insurance program, medical history, and other factors.
Private health insurance is required to apply for permanent residence in Cyprus. Insurance can be obtained from a local company or an international provider operating in Cyprus.
Travel insurance for tourists in Cyprus
Travel insurance is compulsory if you visit Cyprus on a Schengen or a tourist visa. The insurance must cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation for medical reasons.
The average price of travel insurance is usually up to 8% of the trip cost and depends on the trip duration, the insurance plan, the cost of local medical care, and the tourist’s age and health.
Local Cyprus providers offer travel insurance at a price ranging from €20 to 250. The average cost for a weekly trip is about €45 per person.
Travel insurance in Cyprus does not typically cover:
medical treatment for pre-existing conditions a tourist has not declared;
medical treatment for accidents and injuries while a traveller is under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
damages and accidents caused by extreme and winter sports;
natural disasters, civil unrest, and terrorism-related incidents;
lost belongings left unattended.
The European Health Insurance Card and the UK Global Health Insurance Card cannot replace travel insurance, as they cover only emergency medical expenses.
Pharmacies in Cyprus
Recognising a pharmacy in the street is easy. It is a usual green cross, found almost everywhere in the world. The pharmacies in Cyprus are called “φαρμακείο”, which sounds almost like “pharmacy” — ”farmakeio”.
The working hours of pharmacies are often from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a lunch break during the business week and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at weekends. There are also night pharmacies.
If you are entitled to Cyprus’s public healthcare, you can obtain certain drugs at pharmacies with a co-payment of €1. You must get a prescription from your GP or a consultant first.
Buying medicines online is impossible in Cyprus. This way, Cyprus restricts the sale of falsified medicine.
Medical emergency in Cyprus
Emergency treatment and other medical services in Cyprus may require a co-payment — a set sum paid directly to the healthcare providers. Usually, it is no more than €10.
To call an ambulance, dial 112 or 199.
List of Private and Public Hospitals in Cyprus
Public hospitals and health centres in Cyprus belong to the State Health Services Organisation (SHSO), the largest healthcare provider in Cyprus. It runs nine hospitals and 38 health centres in all cities and provinces.
Staff at medical facilities in Cyprus tend to speak good English, so there should be no problem communicating your problem.
Public hospitals in Cyprus
Private hospitals and health centres in Cyprus
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.
Frequently Asked Questions