The healthcare system in Cyprus
Cyprus is not only a destination with a wonderful climate and seaside but also a country that ranks high in healthcare and quality of life.
The public healthcare system is available to citizens of Cyprus, the EU, and third-country nationals with a valid residence permit.
Private healthcare is also accessible and generally of high quality, although it comes with a higher cost.
Additionally, the country has a well-developed healthcare infrastructure with laboratories, diagnostic centers, and pharmacies.
- General Health Indicators in Cyprus
- Public Healthcare System
- Private Medical Services
- Insurance for Tourists and Expats
- Pharmacies in Cyprus
- Frequently Asked Questions
General Health Indicators in Cyprus
The 2023 population profile of Cyprus, prepared by the European Commission, shows that the Republic fares well in terms of health. The average life expectancy is 81.7 years, with low rates of preventable and treatable mortality, and alcohol consumption is below the EU average. According to the Commission, unmet medical needs remain extremely low—less than 1% for both low- and high-income households.
In the popular Legatum Prosperity Index, Cyprus ranks 34th globally in 2023. This index considers various quality-of-life factors, including health, safety, personal freedom, living conditions, investments, and more. Cyprus scored very well in healthcare, with 79.23 points; the highest score, achieved by Singapore, is 86.89 points.
Public Healthcare System
Public healthcare in Cyprus operates through the General Healthcare System, known as GeSY (an abbreviation of the Greek term Γενικό Σύστημα Υγείας, or GeSY). This system is based on the principle of universal population coverage, ensuring fairness and equality.
GeSY expenses are funded through contributions from the government and patients. For instance, contributions amount to 2.65% of official income, with no upper cap. For more details about salary deductions, refer to this article.
On the GeSY portal, gesy.org.cy, you can access basic information and register with a local doctor. The doctor will handle general medical issues and provide referrals to specialists if necessary.
The public healthcare system in Cyprus is accessible to citizens of Cyprus, the EU, and third-country nationals with a valid residence permit. This also includes dependent family members of eligible individuals.
Private Medical Services
Cyprus boasts a well-developed private healthcare sector, available on a fee-for-service basis. Each region has private hospitals, medical centers, clinics, and physician offices.
Private hospitals and clinics offer various specialties, as well as general medicine and surgery. Some facilities have their own emergency services, urgent care units, and laboratories.
Additionally, you can find institutions specializing in one or two fields, such as pediatrics, ophthalmology, gynecology, and reproductive medicine, including IVF.
Insurance for Tourists and Expats
Cyprus offers a wide range of medical insurance options and accepts international healthcare plans. Long-term local insurance can be purchased from various insurance companies.
Travelers can also receive medical care under tourist insurance plans, depending on the chosen policy. In our article on tourist insurance in Cyprus, we compare different insurance options and how to obtain a policy.
For long-term stays, a new product from Tripinsurance, "Expat Insurance," is available. This is ideal when a tourist policy is insufficient, and you lack residency or citizenship to access public healthcare. More details are provided in the article on expat insurance in Cyprus.
Pharmacies in Cyprus
Pharmacies in Cyprus are widely available and highly professional. By law, they must be registered with the Pharmacy Council (Ministry of Health) and managed by licensed pharmacists.
They are open during regular business hours, but there are several "night pharmacies" that, while not 24/7, operate late in the evening, on holidays, and weekends. These pharmacies work on a rotating schedule by district. The list of night pharmacies is updated daily and published in a dedicated section on our website and every morning in our Telegram news channel. We recommend subscribing to stay informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I call in emergencies?
Dial 112 for general emergencies. Dial 199 for ambulance, police, and fire services. You can also save the page listing other important contacts in Cyprus.
When will an ambulance be dispatched?
In most cases, patients travel to the hospital themselves. Ambulances are dispatched only for critical emergencies such as childbirth, respiratory arrest, heart attacks, or major accidents.
Which clinics in Cyprus do ambulances take patients to?
If you don’t have a private clinic contract for emergency medical services, ambulances will take you to municipal hospitals in case of emergency hospitalization. We’ve prepared a list of public clinics in Cyprus and their contact details.
Where can I buy travel insurance?
If you’re visiting Cyprus as a tourist, it’s mandatory to have medical insurance with sufficient coverage, preferably up to €50,000. Here’s a list of websites where you can purchase it online:
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Author
Born and raised in Yekaterinburg, visited more than 40 countries, lived in the USA for some time, and in 2022, moved to Northern Cyprus. Education: Ural State University (now Ural Federal University), Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. Professional Experience: Since 2008, worked in the…