Healthcare in Cyprus

Healthcare in Cyprus is cheap and effective and is one of the many reasons many expats relocate to the island.

The Cyprus healthcare system is divided into public and private sectors. Public healthcare is cheap and subsidised, and even private healthcare costs can be quite affordable.

All the island’s major cities have both state-funded and private hospitals. Healthcare facilities in the south of Cyprus are generally considered better than those in the Turkish-occupied north of the island.

Doctors here are often trained overseas, and most, if not all, speak an acceptable level of English. It’s nevertheless a good idea to take notes at appointments in case it’s necessary to have a written doctor’s response for later translation. If you’re an expat who is unfamiliar with the Greek language, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask your new doctor questions or to have them repeat themselves.

Public healthcare in Cyprus

The Ministry of Health administers public healthcare in Cyprus and is largely financed by taxes and mandatory social services contributions.

Access to public healthcare is determined via residency status. Anyone staying in Cyprus for three months or more is considered a resident, allowing them to register with the General Healthcare System (GHS) and select a local doctor. This can be done online.

Useful links

• General Healthcare System

Private healthcare in Cyprus

Many expats choose to take out a private healthcare policy to access a wider variety of hospitals and facilities and to skip the public sector’s occasionally long waiting lists. Expats can access an assortment of schemes in Cyprus, and these can be tailored individually and based on certain criteria.

The list of private hospitals in Cyprus is constantly expanding, with 19 new private hospitals planned for the island. Treatment at private institutions is often paid for upfront by the patient and is reimbursed within the month.

Depending on the policy, it shouldn’t be necessary to notify the provider before receiving treatment. Still, most companies do offer a 24-hour toll-free number should patients have any issues or queries.

Health insurance in Cyprus

If you’re a legal resident in Cyprus, you must register for social insurance with your local District Labour Office. This government department will then issue you a medical card to access public healthcare at no cost. You must purchase health stamps from public hospitals or post offices to pay for lab tests and prescription medications. These health stamps must then be attached to the prescription or lab test form.

EU nationals who have made social insurance contributions in their home countries can access free healthcare in Cyprus for a limited period. Thereafter, they must start making contributions to the local social insurance fund.

Those working in Cyprus can access Workers’ Unions Schemes and Semi-State Organisations Schemes. These health insurance schemes are typically organised through employers. Local private health insurance schemes are also available to expats, and they are often cheaper than other types of health insurance packages.

Pharmacies and medication in Cyprus

There are many pharmacies in Cyprus, especially in highly populated areas such as Paphos, Larnaca and Limassol.

Cyprus pharmacies are typically open from 9am until noon or 1pm when they close for a few hours and reopen from 3pm to 6pm or 7pm. Night pharmacies are open from 8am to 10pm but can be contacted 24 hours for urgent needs.

Health hazards in Cyprus

Although there are no significant health hazards in Cyprus, you should be aware of several environmental factors that could impact your health while living on the island. Air pollution can be an issue in Cyprus, so those who have respiratory illnesses must take care to protect their health by wearing a mask or using an air purifier during wildfires or dust storms.

Prolonged heatwaves can also be an issue in Cyprus, particularly for elderly people, pregnant women, and children. We recommend following official advice during heatwaves to avoid falling victim to heat stress.

Vaccinations for Cyprus

Cyprus has no required vaccinations, but expats moving to the island are encouraged to get routine vaccinations before travelling. The recommended vaccinations for Cyprus are:

• chickenpox
• Covid-19
• hepatitis A and B
• rabies
• measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)

You should also get pneumonia, shingles, and influenza vaccines to protect yourself during your stay in Cyprus. Although malaria is not present in Cyprus, nearby countries have incidences of the disease, so we also recommend a malaria vaccine.

Emergency services in Cyprus

There are nationwide emergency services in Cyprus, but they can be inconsistent and relatively slow. Most expats rely on neighbours and friends to drive them to the hospital in non-critical situations.

Some private hospitals have their own ambulance services but charge for transporting patients.

Emergency numbers in Cyprus

• 112 – General emergency number for EU countries
• 199 – Local emergency number in Cyprus