Living in Cyprus - The Health System

The government medical services provide treatment free of charge or at reduced charges for certain groups of individuals. More information can be obtained from the Ministry of Health.

Emergency care is provided free to all persons who arrive at the accident and emergency departments of the government hospitals. Every city has its own hospital with an accident and emergency department

Persons who opt for the private sector pay the costs themselves. Certain population groups are covered by trade union or employer insurance funds which provide full or partial cover of medical costs for the members. Many doctors run their own private surgeries. In addition many doctors work at city health centres which provide a wide range of medical services (including dentistry, optometry and other health-related services such as laboratory analysis, radiology and chiropody etc.).

All districts now have a new hospital, most recently the Nicosia district. Tertiary medicine, in particular, has undergone substantial development in recent years, and as a result patients who used to be sent abroad for treatment are now being treated in Cyprus. The size of the country makes for easy and swift access to medical centres.

• Useful information can be obtained from the Ministry of Health website or by telephoning (+357 22 400 130) 
• From the Department for the Free Movement of Patients (Tel. +357 22 400 115) 
• The Department for General Coordination of EU Affairs at the Ministry (Tel: +357 22 400 195).

Useful telephone numbers

• First Aid 112
• Nicosia General Hospital +357 22 801 400
• Limassol General Hospital +357 25 305 333
• Larnaca Hospital +357 24 304 312
• Paphos General Hospital +357 26 803 100

There are also a number of rural hospitals and health centres (details can be found on the Ministry of Health website).

Further Information

• Ministry of Health, Free Movement of Patients
  At: Ministry of Health, 1448, Nicosia
  Tel: 224 00115
  Website
• Ministry of Health, General Coordination of EU Affairs
  At: Ministry of Health, 1448, Nicosia
  Tel: 224 00195

Text last edited on: 12/2007

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
Reproduction is authorised.