Confused about healthcare in Cyprus

Hi Sharon

What nationality are you? If you're an EU citizen you can make use of the public healthcare system in Greece, but if you're American you will need private insurance. The card is just a Medical Card that you register for in Greece to show to health practitioners that you are allowed to use the healthcare system.

thanks Gabys, we are from the UK, sooo confusing and so many conflicting stories. We really do take the NHS for granted in the UK, its only when you start to look at other systems that you realise how valuable it is. I have no concerns about the quality of healthcare in Cyprus, just its accessibility.

Hi Sharon

I think the advice you're seeing to register for private healthcare is more of a backup plan / supplementary payment plan. Since you are a UK national you will have access to the Greek system.

The only thing is that the government has different tiers for users depending on qualifying factors like age, income, medical history, etc - in other words, with your age and your husband's pre-exisiting condition you probably won't get free care but will just be subsidised. (It also depends on your income).

That means it will be a good idea to have some medical insurance as well - even if it isn't the most expensive plan out there. If you want more specific examples of costs and such I suggest you contact the Ministry of Health in Cyprus directly at http://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/moh.nsf/index_en/index_en or take a look at some of their information brochures at http://www.moh.gov.cy/MOH/MOH.nsf/All/F8B5861FC3801B6C422579D7003EEFB8?OpenDocument to see whether you think you will need medical insurance as well and how extensive your coverage should be.