Cyprus
In emergencies, call 112 or 199 (ambulance, police and fire department) for help.
Accessing care in Cyprus
With a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are entitled to medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay in Cyprus. Medically necessary treatment refers to treatment that cannot wait until you return home. You may need such treatment, for example, in the event of a sudden illness or an accident.
You can also receive treatment for pregnancy, childbirth, or chronic conditions. If you have a medical condition that requires regular treatment during your stay abroad, contact a healthcare provider in advance to make the necessary arrangements for your care.
The European Health Insurance Card does not guarantee free treatment; you will be charged the same amount as local residents. We recommend carrying additional copies of your card with you. If you do not have a European Health Insurance Card, or if it is not accepted, you will have to pay for the treatment yourself. You can then apply for reimbursement from Kela.
By presenting a European Health Insurance Card, you can obtain care at facilities belonging to Cyprus´s state healthcare system. Information about health services is available from Cyprus´s Ministry of Health in English and Greek.
There are also private doctors and treatment facilities in Cyprus. If you seek treatment in the private sector, you must pay all costs yourself. An exception applies if you have received a referral from the Department of Health for private treatment not available in state hospitals.
Please note that the European Health Insurance Card is not valid in the northern part of Cyprus (“Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”).
Sudden illness in Cyprus
Doctor
By presenting your European Health Insurance Card and a valid ID, you can receive treatment from general practitioners at state healthcare centres. To consult a specialist, you need a referral from a general practitioner within the state system.
You will be charged a small standard fee. Additional surcharges apply for laboratory tests and follow-up examinations such as X-rays. Certain groups, such as students and chronically ill patients, are eligible treatment for free or reduced-rate treatment.
Dentist
The costs of dental care are usually not reimbursed, so you must pay all costs yourself in Cyprus. However, certain groups, such as those over the age of 65, disability pensioners, and the chronically ill, can receive dental treatment in the public sector free of charge or at a reduced rate.
Medication
You can obtain partial reimbursement for medicines prescribed by a private-sector doctor by presenting the prescription at a pharmacy within the healthcare system along with your European Health Insurance Card and a valid ID.
Hospital care
You can access hospital treatment if you have a doctor´s referral. In an emergency, you may also go directly to a state hospital via the emergency department. In addition to any referral, present your European Health Insurance Card and a valid ID.
All emergency clinic patients pay a small standard fee regardless of the type of treatment received. Patients over the age of 65, disability pensioners, and the chronically ill are eligible for a reduction in hospital fees.
Ambulance transport to obtain necessary medical care is free if the patient has a European Health Insurance Card and the treatment is provided at a facility within the public healthcare system.
Read more: Falling ill abroad
Patient data
Remember to make sure that your patient data is transferred between countries. You can provide those responsible for your follow-up care or your health centre with the patient records concerning the treatment you received abroad. If the patient records need to be translated, you will be responsible for arranging that yourself.
Quality and safety of treatment in Cyprus
In the event of a treatment injury, the legislation and patient insurance of the country where the treatment was provided will apply. If you are dissatisfied with the treatment you received, you should first try to resolve the matter directly with the healthcare provider. The National Contact Point can assist you in finding the appropriate authority if you wish to file a complaint.
Healthcare system in Cyprus
The healthcare system in Cyprus is divided into public and private sectors. Both public and private hospitals can be found in all of major cities in Cyprus. Public healthcare in Cyprus is funded by taxes and administered by the Ministry of Health. For EU citizens, public healthcare is either free or low-cost. Private healthcare generally charges affordable fees for all patients.
Useful websites
If you plan to travel to Cyprus for healthcare services, please visit our website for general information about seeking treatment abroad. Direct any questions about healthcare in Cyprus to the Cypriot National Contact Point.
Contact information for health services is available on the website of the National Contact Point of Cyprus.