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.
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.
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.
The Global Health Index 2024 ranked Cyprus’s healthcare system 29th in the world, ahead of the UAE, Canada, and the United States. This high standard of care is one of the key benefits of living in Cyprus.
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.
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:
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.
| Age group | Number of visits per year |
| birth to 1 year old | 10 |
| 1—3 years old | 8 |
| 3—6 years old | 7 |
| 6—11 years old | 4 |
| 11—18 years old | 3 |
| 18—41 years old | 4 |
| 41—51 years old | 6 |
| 51—65 years old | 8 |
| over 65 years old | 10 |
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.
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 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.
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:
The European Health Insurance Card and the UK Global Health Insurance Card cannot replace travel insurance, as they cover only emergency medical expenses.
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.
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.
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.
| Name | Phone Number | Address |
| Nicosia General Hospital | +357 22603000 | 215 Limassol Old Road, Strovolos, Nicosia 2029 |
| Archbishop Makarios III Hospital | +357 22405000 | 6 Korytsas Street, Acropolis, Nicosia 2012 |
| Limassol General Hospital | +357 25801100 | Nikaias Street, Kato Polemidia, Limassol 3304 |
| Larnaca General Hospital | +357 24800500 | United States of America Street, Larnaca 6043 |
| Famagusta General Hospital | +357 23200000 | 25 Christou Ketis Street, Paralimni, 5310 |
| Paphos General Hospital | +357 26803100 | Anavargos Street , Anavargos, Paphos 8026 |
| Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital | +357 22402100 | Limassol Old Road, Strovolos, Nicosia 2029 |
| Name | Phone number | Address |
| American Medical Centre/American Heart Institute in Nicosia | +357 22476777 | 215 Spyrou Kyprianou Ave, Strovolos, Nicosia 2047 |
| Apollonion Private Hospital in Nicosia | +357 22469000 | 20 Lefkotheou Avenue, Strovolos, Nicosia 2054 |
| Aretaeio Private Hospital in Nicosia | +357 22200300 | 55-57 Andrea Avraamidi Street, Strovolos, Nicosia 2024 |
| Blue Cross Medical Centre in Paphos | +357 26221111 | 51 Demokratias Ave, Paphos 8062 |
| Elpis Medical Centre in Paphos | +357 26953000 | 68 Agapinoros Street, Kato Paphos 8135 |
| Evangelismos Private Hospital in Paphos | +357 26848000 | 87 Vasileos Constantinou, Paphos 8062 |
| Hippocrateon Private Hospital in Nicosia | +357 22502000 | 6-12 Psaron Street, Engomi, Nicosia 2408 |
| Holy Cross Clinic in Larnaca | +357 24631666 | 17 Rafael Santi Street, Larnaca 6052 |
| Iasis Private Hospital in Cyprus | +357 26848484 | 8 Voriou Ipiriou Street, Paphos 8069 |
| Lito Private Hospital in Paralini | +357 23811111 | 8 Sotiras Avenue, Paralimni 5312 |
| Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus in Limassol | +357 25200000 | 9 Stygos Street, Limassol 3117 |
| Napa Olympic Private Hospital | + 357 23723222 | 24 Havares Street, Agia Napa |
| Polis Medical Centre in Paphos | +357 26323100 | 13 Efessou Street, Polis Chrysochous, Paphos 8820 |
| Royal Artemis Private Hospital in Paphos | +357 26961600 | 2 Pavlou Crineou Street, Paphos 8035 |
| St Raphael Private Hospital in Larnaca | +357 24840840 | 25 Gordiou Desmou Street, Larnaca 6045 |
Cyprus’s healthcare is trustworthy and quality enough, and the public healthcare system counts three-quarters of the population. The country’s death rates from preventable causes are among the lowest in the European Union.
Healthcare is almost free for those who pay taxes for at least three years. Small co-payments may be charged for related services.
Cyprus permanent residents can access Cyprus public healthcare if they have paid taxes for at least three years.
Cyprus offers both public and private healthcare. The public sector is funded by the government and can be accessed by Cyprus nationals and residents. Private health insurance is required to apply for permanent residence in Cyprus.
The public healthcare system is quite affordable for Cyprus nationals, requiring only small co-payments for medical services and medication. The country’s tax residents finance the system by paying a health tax, depending on their income: 2,65% for employees and pensioners and 4% for self-employed individuals.
Yes, it does. After several reforms in 2019, the Cyprus healthcare system became universal.
