Cyprus (CY)

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island nation and EU member state situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Capital: Nicosia

Region: Europe

Language: Greek

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Moderate (index 62)

Emergency: 112

Healthcare in Cyprus

Cyprus launched the General Healthcare System (GESY — Γενικό Σύστημα Υγείας) in 2019, replacing a fragmented public-private system. GESY is a universal healthcare system funded by contributions from employees, employers and the state, with registered doctors and hospitals providing services to all eligible residents. It is broadly modelled on the NHS concept. Private healthcare remains strong and widely used alongside GESY.

Ranked 24th in Europe by EHCI (2023). Strong in cardiology, orthopaedics and cosmetic surgery. Waiting times can be long for non-emergency specialist referrals.

Public healthcare: GESY (General Healthcare System)

Γενικό Σύστημα Υγείας

Eligibility:All Cyprus residents with valid residence status and registered TIC. EU citizens with MEU1, non-EU citizens with valid residence permit, and all employed/self-employed persons. Registration via gesy.org.cy.

Monthly cost:Employees: 2.65% of gross salary. Employers: 2.90% of employee salary. Self-employed: total 2.65% + employer equivalent. Pensioners and students: flat rate. State-funded for some groups.

What's included:

GP consultations with your registered personal doctor
Specialist referrals (via personal doctor)
Laboratory tests and blood work
Radiology and imaging (with referral)
Hospital care (emergency and elective)
Maternity care and childbirth
Pharmaceutical coverage (approved list)
Physiotherapy (with referral)
Mental health services (with referral)
Dental care for children under 18

Not included (or co-pay required):

Cosmetic procedures
Dental care for adults (beyond emergency)
Glasses and contact lenses (limited coverage)
Some specialist medications not on the approved list
Long-term care and nursing homes
Alternative medicine

Co-payments:GP visits: free within annual visit limit; €15/visit if annual limit exceeded. Specialist referral: €6 per visit. Lab test: €1 per test. Prescription: €1 per item. Emergency care: no copayment.

How to enrol:Register at gesy.org.cy with your TIC number, passport, and residence permit. Choose a personal doctor (family doctor or GP) from the GESY registry. You can change personal doctors up to 2 times per year.

Waiting period:No waiting period once registered. Services available immediately.

Private healthcare: Private Healthcare (Ιδιωτικά Νοσηλευτήρια)

Who can use it:Available to anyone who can pay or holds private health insurance.

When it makes sense:For faster specialist appointments, a wider choice of doctors, private hospital rooms, dental care, cosmetic procedures, and any services not covered by GESY. Many expats maintain private insurance as a top-up.

Monthly cost:€80–300/month for comprehensive private health insurance depending on age and coverage.

Major providers:

Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre (cancer treatment)German Oncology CentreApollonion Private Hospital (Nicosia)American Heart Institute of CyprusAretaeion Private Hospital (Nicosia)Euromedica (Limassol)Ygia Polyclinic (Limassol)Atlantic Healthcare (Limassol)CNP Asfalistiki, Allianz, AXA — private insurance providers

Accessing care

GP system

Under GESY, you must register with a personal doctor (your GP). You must see your personal doctor for most services and referrals. Choose from registered GESY GPs at gesy.org.cy/patients/personal-doctor. First consultation after registering is within 1 week typically.

Specialist referral

Your personal doctor issues electronic referrals for specialist visits, lab tests, and hospital admissions within GESY. You can book directly with GESY-registered specialists after receiving a referral. Without referral: see a private specialist at your own cost.

Emergency care

Emergency departments (Τμήμα Επειγόντων) at all public hospitals are open 24/7. Nicosia General Hospital, Limassol General Hospital, Larnaca General Hospital, Paphos General Hospital. Call 199 for ambulance (free). Emergency care is covered by GESY without referral.

Out of hours

GESY helpline: 1420 (24/7 advice line). Out-of-hours clinics operate in each district. Your personal doctor's GESY profile shows out-of-hours contacts. For urgent but non-emergency care, call 1420 first.

Prescriptions

GESY personal doctor issues electronic prescriptions. Collect at any registered pharmacy. Copayment: €1–5 per item. Medications on the approved list are heavily subsidised. Non-list medications at full private cost.

Dental

GESY covers dental care for children under 18 and emergency dental for adults. Adult routine dental is predominantly private. Private dental clinic: €40–80 for a check-up and clean; €150–300 for fillings or extraction.

Mental health

GESY covers mental health consultations with a referral from your personal doctor. Waiting times can be long (4–12 weeks for GESY psychiatrist). Private therapy: €60–100/session. Online therapy platforms available.

Maternity

Fully covered under GESY. Choose a registered GESY obstetrician or midwife. Hospital delivery at public or GESY-contracted private hospitals. Antenatal classes and postnatal care included.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Register for a TIC (Tax Identification Code) from the Tax Department
Register with GESY at gesy.org.cy — you need your TIC and residence permit
Choose and register with a personal doctor (GP) from the GESY registry
Obtain a GESY card (issued automatically)
Consider supplementary private insurance for faster access and private rooms

Finding English-speaking doctors:English-speaking doctors are widely available in all major cities. The GESY portal allows filtering by language. Most doctors in private clinics speak excellent English. In Limassol, Russian and English are both widely spoken among medical professionals.

International insurance:International health insurance (Cigna, Allianz Care, Bupa International, AXA XL) is accepted at private hospitals. Ensure your policy covers Cyprus. GESY contributions are mandatory regardless of private insurance.

Emergency card info:EU citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for emergency cover in other EU countries. Cyprus-issued EHIC available via GESY portal.

EHIC notes:Cyprus issues EU Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) to GESY-registered residents. Apply via the GESY portal. Valid for emergency care across all EU member states.

Pharmacies (Φαρμακείο (Farmakeio))

Hours:Monday–Friday: 9:00–13:00 and 15:00–19:00 (may vary). 24-hour duty pharmacy system rotates across Cyprus — posted on pharmacy doors and at www.farmakeia.org.cy.

After-hours / emergency:Duty pharmacy (εφημερεύον φαρμακείο) operates 24/7 on a rotation. Check the current duty pharmacy for your area at farmakeia.org.cy or call 1412.

Prescription rules:GESY prescriptions are electronic — no paper needed. Show your GESY card. Private prescriptions accepted with full payment. Some medications (antibiotics, controlled substances) require a prescription.

Available over-the-counter:

Paracetamol / ibuprofen (sold freely)
Antihistamines (allergy medication)
Sunscreen and after-sun products
Rehydration sachets
Vitamin D and B12 supplements

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	€0 (GESY — free within annual visit limit); €15 if annual limit exceeded
GP visit (private pay)	€30–60
Specialist visit	€6 (GESY referral copayment) or €60–120 (private)
Emergency visit	€0 (GESY public hospital) or €150–500 (private)
MRI scan	€150–400 (private, varies by scan type)
Prescription average	€1–5 (GESY) or full cost (non-GESY)
Dental check-up	€40–80
Baby delivery	€0 (GESY public hospital) or €2,000–4,000 (private hospital)

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