Health
We can help you to access a range of health services in your area and inform you on action taken in case of emergency. We can advise you on what services and medicines are available free of charge to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. We can also help you to understand your rights and entitlements to healthcare and how to make a complaint about a treatment or service you have used.
All TCNs who come to Cyprus have access to health services in Cyprus, while the overall commensurate cost is related to the services provided. Health Services in Cyprus are provided both in the public and the private sector. TCNs can access the services they prefer in both sectors, whereas they should take under consideration any differences in the structure, expertise and costs between them. TCNs are expected to pay the full cost of health services at public and private hospitals. The cost in public hospitals is defined by the state, while in the private sector the cost is determined by the doctors and/or the medical centers themselves.
Asylum seekers are entitled to free medical care covering emergency health care and essential treatment of illnesses in public institutions. The Ministry of Health grants all asylum seekers with free access to hospitals, regardless of whether one receives MRC (material reception conditions) by Social Welfare Services. Asylum seekers need to submit an application in order to confirm their residence status and then receive their medical card (valid for 1 year) by post.
Asylum seekers are not included in the provisions of GESY. Access to health services for asylum seekers continues under the provisions of the previous system, in which treatments are provided by in-patient and out-patient departments of the public hospitals.
- Letter of confirmation issued by the Asylum Service.
- Copy of Social Insurance Account from the Department of Social Insurance Services or the Citizen Service Centers (for all family members except from children below the age of 18 who are not employed).
- Certified copy of the last tax statement or Income Tax certificate. (for all family members except from children below the age of 18 who are not employed and persons above the age of 70 without any income apart from their old age pension).
- Employer’s certificate showing the amount of earnings or a work contract or recent certificate on the public assistance received (issued by the Department of Social Welfare Services).
Recognised Refugees and/or Beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to healthcare under the same conditions as Cypriot nationals and are eligible to receive healthcare services under the General Health System (GESY/GHS). For more information and to register under the General Health System, please visit the GESY website, which is available in Greek and English.
THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS
Anyone working in Cyprus, regardless of nationality or residency, must register for social insurance with the District Labour Office. The District Labour Office will in turn issue a medical card. Third country citizens who are legally working and have their ordinary residence in the areas controlled by the Cyprus Government are entitled to healthcare services under the GHS.
There are numerous private and public pharmacies in Cyprus. The cost of all medicines must be covered by the patient. If a medicine is prescribed by the doctor to a TCN patient, part of the cost may be covered by the patient’s insurance company. Pharmacies can also be found in public hospitals. Their operating hours are the same as those of the public medical and outpatient centers. There are private pharmacies in each city, some of which operate on a 24- hour basis, including weekends. The contact details of overnight pharmacies are published in the daily press, posted on the front windows of all pharmacies, and are also available over the phone, online or through the Teletext services available on local TV channels.
Students
All foreign students (University and College students) wishing to reside in Cyprus are obliged by law to have Health Insurance. Such insurance is a prerequisite for the necessary registration (work or visitors permit visa) with the Immigration Authorities in Cyprus.
Non-EU students must pay for healthcare. Annual private insurance schemes enable the individual to use private or in some cases public health services where a fee for service applies and then apply for reimbursement to the insurance company.