Insurance for Expats and Nomads in Northern Cyprus

If you're concerned about health issues in Northern Cyprus but don’t have a residence permit (RP) and the accompanying insurance, there is an option to obtain insurance that is neither a tourist policy nor government-provided.

What is insurance for expats and nomads?
How do insurance policies in Northern Cyprus differ?
Advantages of insurance for expats and nomads
How to obtain insurance for expats in Northern Cyprus?
Frequently asked questions about insurance in Northern Cyprus.

What is insurance for expats and nomads?
This is a relatively new insurance product designed for frequent travelers, people living outside their country of citizenship, or those on long-term travel, working remotely, or having passive income.

Instead of purchasing travel insurance for the entire trip, this insurance is available on a subscription basis, renewed monthly.

This subscription model can be more cost-effective than paying for an entire year upfront, especially if you don’t have long-term planning in place or aren’t sure where you'll be in a few months. The annual insurance policy for Northern Cyprus from Tripinsurance—one of the few major insurers covering the northern part of the island—illustrates this point.

An annual policy is generally more economical, but you’ll need to pay the full amount upfront. If you prefer a monthly payment option, the expat insurance might be more suitable for you.

How do insurance policies in Northern Cyprus differ?

Tourist Insurance
Tourist insurance is well-suited for short-term stays, such as vacations. However, as demonstrated by the screenshot above, it can also be used for a longer duration if you can pay upfront and are sure you'll be staying in this part of the island for an extended period.

Read more: What tourist insurance policies are available in Northern Cyprus?

Government Insurance
Government medical services are available free of charge only if you have legal grounds to be on the island, such as a residence permit, work visa, or student visa.

Read more: List of illnesses covered by insurance for residence permits

Insurance for Expats
Tripinsurance, a popular insurer, has introduced a new product—"Insurance for Expats.” This option is designed for those without a residence permit or citizenship who cannot access government healthcare and do not wish to pay a large sum for an annual tourist policy. It offers several advantages, listed below.

Advantages of insurance for expats and nomads in Northern Cyprus

• The policy does not have a limit on the number of days of stay and is not tied to residence permits or citizenship.
• Insurance can be purchased while traveling, i.e., from outside your country of permanent residence.
• Broad coverage limits—up to $6,000 for chronic conditions, up to $1,500 for dental care.
• Monthly payments via subscription, with automatic card deductions that can be canceled at any time.
• Coverage for operations up to $6,000 without the need to return to your country of permanent residence.

How to obtain insurance for expats in Northern Cyprus

1. Go to the Tripinsurance homepage and select the option “For Expats.”
2. Choose the country and the start date of the insurance. Northern Cyprus is listed, unlike with some other insurers.

1. After clicking “Calculate,” you will see two options: standard tourist insurance for multiple countries for a year and the expat option—select the latter.
2. On the next page, detailed insurance terms will appear on the right—what is included and what is not. Fill out the form for the insured person: surname, first name, and date of birth. If purchasing the policy for yourself, check the appropriate box.

1. Enter your phone number and email, and select any additional options if desired.

1. Proceed to payment. Note that a bank card issued in Russia cannot be used for payment.

Accepted card types:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express
• UnionPay

The policy and all necessary contact details for communicating with the insurer will be sent to your provided email. If you don’t receive it, check your “Spam” folder. For additional questions, contact support at [email protected] or call: 8 800 555 08 14 (for calls within Russia), +7 495 646 08 13 (for calls from abroad).

Frequently Asked Questions about Insurance in Northern Cyprus

Does expat insurance include life insurance?
By default—no. However, you can opt to include life insurance by selecting “Yes” in the relevant section when purchasing the policy. The price will be adjusted accordingly.

What are the limitations for active sports?
Even if you select insurance for skiing and diving, there are limitations. While skiing is not relevant for Northern Cyprus, remember that injuries are only covered on marked trails. For diving, the insurance covers only the consequences of diving with an instructor and up to a depth of 12 meters.

What is needed to obtain government insurance?
You need to obtain a residence permit. We have a detailed guide on how to do this. However, residence permits are not issued to everyone and not quickly, so it is advisable to first obtain insurance from Tripinsurance—whether tourist or expat, as it also covers Northern Cyprus.

Additionally, there is a “Medicine” chat on the largest Telegram forum for expats in Northern Cyprus, where you can ask questions and get answers from thousands of participants. Stay healthy, take care, and enjoy your time in Northern Cyprus!