Cyprus Healthcare

Cyprus operates a universal healthcare system known as the General Healthcare System (GESY). Introduced in 2019, it is primarily funded through taxes, mandatory social insurance, contributions from employees & employers and patient co-pays.  It is only available in the South and does not cover the Turkish-occupied Northern area of Cyprus.

It operates on three levels (primary, secondary and tertiary) and covers GP appointments, hospitalisation, specialist treatments, rehabilitation, palliative care and limited dental and mental healthcare. It is available to all legal residents and expats, provided they hold resident status and contribute social insurance payments.

The quality of public healthcare in Cyprus is good and is recognised by the World Health Organisation as being comparable to that in many other developed countries. However, staff shortages, long wait times and limited specialist availability in rural areas mean that many people choose a private health insurance policy to offer a more enhanced level of care. Treatment is not free in Cyprus, but it is heavily subsidised with co-payments applying to almost all treatments or services, although inpatient care is typically provided at no cost.

To register for GESY in Cyprus, you must first be living or working in Cyprus for at least three months. Until this point, expats living in Cyprus must hold an appropriate level of healthcare cover. For EU and UK citizens, this can be with an EHIC or GHIC, but for those from further afield, a private health insurance plan is mandatory, and contributions must be made to the social insurance system for at least three years before they are eligible for the full GESY benefits. Upon registration as a resident, expats should obtain a medical card from the Ministry of Health or their local health centre. They will then be assigned a GP who serves as their primary point of contact.

Private healthcare is a popular option for many expats and Cypriot nationals. With reduced waiting times, access to specialised treatments, higher levels of comfort and more staff, it provides a comprehensive service the public system cannot always match. Many private hospitals in Cyprus, such as the American Medical Centre and Apollonion Private Hospitals, cater to international patients and provide bilingual or multilingual staff alongside their enhanced services.

Costs for private healthcare are, of course, more expensive than those found in the public sector, but in comparison to many Western countries, they are considered affordable. A one-day hospital stay, for example, will cost up to €200, whereas a longer hospital stay after childbirth may cost up to €3,000.

Among the most reputable private hospitals in Cyprus are the Apollonion Private Hospital and Aretaeio Hospital in Nicosia, the German Oncology Centre in Limassol and Evangelismos Private Hospital in Paphos. These facilities, among the seventy-five private hospitals and numerous private clinics, offer a comprehensive range of treatments with an enhanced focus on patient comfort. For expats ineligible for GESY or those looking for services not available on the public system, the private system is essential. Costs can soon rise though, and whilst they are generally lower than in many other countries, out-of-pocket expenses can be a drain on the finances you’d prefer to avoid. As a result, a suitable international health insurance policy that minimises personal expense should be researched before moving to Cyprus.

Private health insurance is mandatory in Cyprus for non-EU expats as part of their residency application. Once residency is granted, they can then take advantage of the public system like other expats who have stayed in the country for the required time.

Should private health insurance be the preferred option, due to its enhanced services, faster care and higher levels of comfort, expats have the option of a local or international plan to help cover their healthcare costs. Local plans tend to be cheaper than international plans, with costs ranging from €150 to €300 per month.  Coverage will be limited to Cyprus, and treatment restrictions might be in place.

International plans are considerably more comprehensive and allow expats to benefit from a full range of treatments in Cyprus and abroad. Costs are higher than local plans, with some policies costing €5,000 or more per year. These plans include essential benefits such as emergency evacuation and treatment for pre-existing conditions, ensuring expats keep out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum.

Across both local and international private health insurance plans, exclusions may apply with pre-existing conditions and cosmetic surgery often not covered. This may vary by provider and the level of coverage, so it is recommended that expats obtain three to five quotes from a variety of providers to find the most comprehensive policy for their needs.

English is widely spoken in hospitals in Cyprus. Greek and Turkish are the two official languages of the country, so learning key phrases will be beneficial. That being said, more than 70% of Cypriots speak English, making the language barrier much easier to break.

Almost all private hospitals will have doctors, nurses and admin staff who can speak fluent English. In many cases, interpreters or areas for international patients are in place to help make accessing treatment much easier.

It is similar in public hospitals, but you are more likely to encounter language barriers the further you move from urban areas.

Cyprus has a wealth of excellent hospitals specialising in a host of treatments. Nicosia General Hospital is renowned for its trauma, cardiology and neurology services. Whereas the JCI-accredited Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus in Limasol is recognised for its orthopaedics, urology and internal medicine, as well as its multilingual staff. Paphos and Larnaca also have a broad range of excellent facilities across private and public care.

Services offered in the public hospitals of Cyprus are wide-ranging. Emergency care, general surgery, treatment for common illnesses, and specialist services such as oncology, cardiology, and urology are typically available, although services vary between facilities. Private hospitals, on the other hand, offer a full range of services in many cases and can also provide additional services such as cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments and advanced dental and optical care.

The admissions process in Cyprus depends on whether you are visiting a private or public facility. For emergency care, both types of hospitals accept walk-ins or ambulance admissions. Specialist care, tests and surgery, on the other hand, are slightly different. Within a public hospital, you must first be referred by a GP. A hospital specialist will then assess whether further tests are needed or if hospital admission is necessary.

Within private hospitals, patients book appointments directly without referral. A hospital GP will then evaluate the patient to determine whether hospital care is needed.

Response times for ambulances can be slow, so expats are advised to use private transport in non-critical situations.

Healthcare costs in public hospitals are either free or extremely well subsidised, depending on your circumstances. You may pay as little as 6 Euros for an appointment with a nurse and just 10 Euros for a diagnostic examination. In comparison, private healthcare is considerably more expensive, although not as expensive as in many Western countries. An appointment with a private GP may cost up to €50, single-day stays can cost approximately €200, and specialist treatment can soon run into thousands. Additional factors such as room type and special requirements may see the costs increase further.

The facilities in both public and private hospitals are globally recognised as being of a high standard. There can be a clear difference between what is offered in an urban public hospital and what is found in more remote locations, so expats should remain aware of potential differences in care. Private hospitals have a higher standard of facilities and provide patients access to private rooms and more hotel-like amenities such as en-suite bathrooms and guest sleeping areas.

Most private hospitals in Cyprus will accept private health insurance, with a large number offering direct billing. In some facilities, upfront payment is required, with an insurance claim made after. Expats are advised to check with their insurer and the hospital in advance as to whether upfront payment or direct billing applies.

No specific vaccinations are required for entry to Cyprus; however, expats are advised that all routine vaccinations, such as MMR, DTP, and COVID-19, are up to date.

Health advice can change frequently, so it is recommended that 6-8 weeks before travel, a GP is consulted for the latest vaccination and health advice.

There are relatively few health risks in Cyprus that expats need to be aware of. Due to the warm weather, heat-related illnesses are common, so expats are advised to not only stay hydrated but also take appropriate precautions such as limiting their exposure to the sun and using appropriate sun protection such as hats, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Poor air quality due to dust storms and pollution can also be common, with dust storms particularly prevalent in Spring and Autumn. Monitoring air quality levels, using air purifiers and wearing masks is recommended.

Mosquito-borne illnesses are also possible. Although rare, occasional cases of West Nile Virus have been reported. To stay safe, expats should consider using insect repellent, wear long sleeves and use mosquito nets in high-risk areas.