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Healthcare in Cyprus

Healthcare in Cyprus The healthcare system in Cyprus is known to be of a high standard (in fact, according to the World Health Organisation it rates higher than Denmark's healthcare system!).

Many of its healthcare professionals are trained in the UK, Western Europe, USA or Greece, and so most of hospitals will have English-speaking staff.

Below we have outlined how you can access healthcare in Cyprus as a non-Cypriot.

Overview of the healthcare system in Cyprus

The healthcare system in Cyprus is of a high standard and recognised by the World Health Organisation to be on par with other developed countries (in fact it rates higher than Denmark’s).

Medical professionals and language accessibility

Many of its professionals are trained in the UK, Western Europe, USA or Greece, and so most of hospitals will have English- speaking staff. In fact in 2019 it launched a new National Health System (NHS), as one of the structural reforms necessitated by the IMF bailout in 2011 after the island’s financial crisis. The system offers state-funded hospitals in all of Cyprus’s major cities – Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos, and Limassol and around 75 private hospitals across the island.

Funding and costs of healthcare

Like the UK’s National Health Service, Cypriot state healthcare (GHS or GESY) is funded by taxes but is not completely free at the point of delivery. As with the systems of other European countries, there are small co-payments to be made. So there are small fees to visit A&E (€10), a GP (€6; although most do not charge) or a specialist, (€6-10) and for prescriptions (€1-5).

Eligibility and access to public healthcare

The public healthcare system provides free services to all Cypriot citizens and European Union residents with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Some non-EU citizens living in Cyprus opt to take out private healthcare insurance.

Access for UK Nationals

UK nationals can access the Cypriot healthcare system for free in a number of ways, including if they are working and paying social security contributions; if they have a Cypriot permanent residents' medical card; if they have an EHIC or (new) GHIC card for temporary stays, or registering an S1 form (if in receipt of a UK state pension).

Registration and contributions

Find out more at gov.uk. If you’re working in Cyprus, you must also register with the Cyprus Social Insurance Services and pay healthcare contributions.

Registering with a doctor

Once you’re a resident, you can register with a Cypriot doctor through the General Healthcare System. You must be registered with both the GHS and a doctor to access state healthcare in Cyprus.

FAQs: Healthcare in Cyprus

What is the GHS / GESY system in Cyprus and who is eligible?

The GESY (General Healthcare System) is Cyprus’s national public health scheme, which provides wide-ranging healthcare services—GPs, specialist referrals, diagnostics, hospital care—for residents who register. Eligibility includes legal residents (EU and non-EU), employed/self-employed people (who pay into social insurance), and pensioners via the S1 Certificate.

How much does healthcare cost under GESY versus private healthcare?

Under the public (GESY) system, costs are generally modest. For example: seeing a specialist with a referral costs about €6, prescriptions often cost around €1 per item or per group of tests, and emergency department visits at public hospitals have fixed co-payments of around €10. By contrast, private healthcare is more expensive – several hundreds per year.  But check eligibility for the S1 document if you are a pensioner.

As an expat, how do I register for healthcare in Cyprus?

To access the public health system via GESY, expats generally must hold legal residency, register with the Ministry of Interior or relevant district labour/social insurance office, obtain a medical card acknowledging eligibility, and choose a General Practitioner within the GESY system who will act as the primary contact and referral point for specialist services.

Are there differences in healthcare quality and waiting times between public and private sectors?

Yes. The public system generally delivers high quality care and broad coverage, but can have longer waiting times for specialist consultations, elective surgeries, or certain diagnostics, especially in rural regions. Private healthcare usually offers faster access, greater choice of doctors and hospitals, and shorter delays, which is why many expats opt for private insurance or pay privately alongside GESY.

What are the ongoing costs and extra considerations for healthcare in Cyprus (insurance, medicines, etc.)?

Ongoing costs include social insurance or GESY contributions, small co-payments for specialist visits, emergency care, prescriptions, and lab tests, as well as private health insurance premiums for faster or broader coverage. Medicine costs are usually low under GESY, but private prescriptions can be higher. Some ambulance services or travel to medical facilities may involve extra costs, especially in remote areas.

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