Required vaccinations for primary school enrollment in the Republic of Cyprus

To enroll a child in a public primary school in the Republic of Cyprus, parents must submit a copy of the medical booklet or vaccination card pages showing the child's name and vaccination status. Before Grade 1, vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, meningococcal C, Hib, and pneumococcal infection are checked. Registration for Grade 1 for the 2026/2027 school year takes place in January 2026, so it is recommended to check the vaccination card with a pediatrician in advance.

• Which vaccinations are checked before school
• Required documents
• What to do if vaccinations are incomplete
• How the school registration process works
• Useful materials on the topic
• Glossary
• Frequently Asked Questions

Which vaccinations are checked before school

When registering a child for a public primary school in the Republic of Cyprus, the school requests proof of vaccination status. This is usually a copy of the relevant pages from the child's medical booklet or vaccination card.

The school does not perform a medical assessment in place of a doctor. It accepts a document showing which vaccines have already been administered. If a child was vaccinated outside the Republic of Cyprus, it is best to show the records to a pediatrician in advance so they can align them with the local schedule.

Required documents

To confirm vaccination, a child's medical booklet, vaccination card, or another official document stating the child's name, vaccination dates, and vaccine names is usually sufficient.

What to prepare

• a copy of the pages of the medical booklet or vaccination card;
• a translation of the records if the document is in a language the school cannot verify;
• a certificate from a pediatrician if some vaccinations were done according to a different schedule;
• a doctor's explanation if vaccination was postponed for medical reasons.

If the child has multiple documents from different countries, it is better to compile them into one clear package: originals, copies, and a brief medical confirmation from a doctor in the Republic of Cyprus.

What to do if vaccinations are incomplete

If some vaccinations are missing from the card, you should contact a pediatrician or a vaccination center. The doctor will check the child's age, the doses already received, and create a catch-up schedule.

Steps to take

1. Take all existing medical documents for the child.
2. Make an appointment with a pediatrician in the Republic of Cyprus.
3. Ask to cross-check the vaccinations with the national vaccination calendar.
4. Receive the missing vaccinations or obtain a medical report if vaccination is temporarily impossible.
5. Provide the school with an updated copy of the vaccination card or a doctor's certificate.

You should not attempt to translate vaccine names and dosages yourself without a doctor. In different countries, combination vaccines may have different names but cover the same infections.

How the school registration process works

Registration for Grade 1 in public primary schools is held in January before the start of the new school year. Registration usually requires an application, the child's ID, birth certificate or passport, proof of address, and a copy of the vaccination card.

All children living in the Republic of Cyprus have the right to enroll in school regardless of citizenship. The right to school education does not depend on whether the parents are legal residents.

Useful materials on the topic

• How to enroll a child in school in Cyprus
• Primary school in the Republic of Cyprus
• Pre-school education in the Republic of Cyprus
• The education system in the Republic of Cyprus

Glossary

• DTP / DTaP — vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
• MMR — combined vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella.
• Hep B — vaccine against hepatitis B.
• Hib — vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type b.
• PCV — pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
• Catch-up schedule — a vaccination schedule for a child who has missed specific doses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which vaccinations are required before Grade 1?

Vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, meningococcal C, Hib, and pneumococcal infection are checked.

Do I need to bring the original vaccination card?

Usually, the school asks for a copy of the relevant pages of the medical booklet or vaccination card. It is better to have the original with you for verification purposes.

Is a vaccination card from another country acceptable?

Yes, as long as it clearly identifies the child's name, dates, and vaccine names. If the records are in another language, a translation or a doctor's certificate may be required.

What if the child is missing some vaccinations?

You should contact a pediatrician. The doctor will compare the records with the vaccination calendar and suggest a catch-up schedule.

Can I enroll a child in school without the parents having a residence permit?

Yes. Children residing in the Republic of Cyprus have the right to school education regardless of the citizenship and migration status of their parents.

Who checks the vaccination card?

The school accepts the document during registration. Medical assessment and the catch-up schedule are handled by a pediatrician or a competent medical specialist.

Is a separate doctor's certificate necessary?

If the vaccination card is complete and clear, a separate certificate may not be needed. If there are gaps, contraindications, or foreign records, a doctor's certificate helps avoid questions during registration.

Where can I get the missing vaccinations?

Missing vaccinations can be discussed with a pediatrician in the Republic of Cyprus. They will advise on where the child can receive vaccinations according to age and medical indications.