What is the healthcare system in Cyprus?
The healthcare system is called GESY. This stands for the General Healthcare System of Cyprus.
Established by legislation in 2017 and launched in phases starting in 2019, GESY is Cyprus’s universal healthcare system designed to provide accessible, high-quality medical services to all eligible residents . It offers comprehensive coverage, including primary care, specialist treatments, hospital services, pharmacy access, and laboratory diagnostics . The system is administered by the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) and is funded through contributions from employees, employers, the self-employed, pensioners, and the government.
GESY Eligibility
Eligibility for Cyprus’s General Healthcare System (GESY) is primarily based on legal residency and employment status. Here’s a comprehensive overview of who qualifies:
Cypriot Citizens
All Cypriot citizens are eligible for GESY, regardless of age, employment status, or income.
EU/EEA Nationals
Employed Individuals: EU/EEA nationals working in Cyprus can register for GESY.
MEU1 Holders: Eligible if employed in Cyprus or if they provide an S1 certificate from their home country.
MEU3 Holders: Automatically eligible, regardless of employment status or possession of an S1 certificate.
Non-EU Nationals
Permanent Residence Holders: Non-EU nationals with Immigration Permits under Category F or Regulation 6(2) are eligible after completing 12 months of residence in Cyprus.
S1 Certificate Holders
Individuals receiving a state pension from another EU country, including the UK, can register with GESY by providing an S1 form. This may exempt them from making contributions to the system.
Dependents
Once an individual is registered with GESY, their dependents—including spouses and children (minors up to 21 years old, or up to 26 if they are students)—are also eligible for registration.
International Protection Holders
Individuals with refugee status or supplementary protection are eligible to register with GESY.
Ineligible Individuals
Foreign nationals residing in Cyprus on a Visitor Visa are not eligible to register with GESY. They must rely on private health insurance or pay for medical services out of pocket.
GESY Registration
To register for GESY, eligible individuals must provide necessary documentation, such as a valid residence permit, proof of employment or S1 certificate, and identification documents. Registration can be completed online through the GESY Beneficiary Portal.
My Experience with GESY
I am nearly 60 years old. Not old in today’s society but certainly not young. So, when I moved over here a few years ago, I was quite nervous about leaving the UK National Health Service behind for what was an unknown quantity with GESY.
I can understand how other people thinking of relocating to Cyprus may feel about this as well. We all want to know that if we need to be taken care of, it’ll happen.
In my case, I’d been on the UK NHS waiting list for nearly three years to have a knee replacement. Yes, I know Covid was a factor but nevertheless ‘three years’. I gave up hope, it didn’t happen until I was offered a date once I’d moved over here. Funny enough, the better weather ensured that the urgency of my knee replacement had reduced so I was not keen to go back to the UK and get it done.
So, how have I found GESY?
I am going to split my experience into two parts.
Registration
This was extremely difficult. My wife achieved this first (she is a sponsored worker over here) but it took over 12 months and was fraught with multiple issues. To be honest, it just felt like they didn’t want her to be registered. Kept putting silly barriers in place, asking to send written documents, then asking for the same documents again after they apparently got lost in the system Wouldn’t accept emails and basically it was nightmare.
Then it was my turn, didn’t think it could get worse, but it did. Same sorts of issues but I got European legislation thrown at me, which was wrong as it didn’t apply to my case at all.
Anyway, another year later and I managed it, only through the further assistance of my solicitor.
So, the key takeaway is, yes you can try and do this yourself but you’ll not enjoy the process.
Healthcare Services
Since joining GESY I have registered with a GP, been in hospital and are now awaiting my knee operation.
So, hows this gone to date?
Quite honestly, the GESY system is just brilliant.
- My GP and I can converse over WhatsApp and he usually gives me an appointment with a couple of days notice. So much better than the UK.
- Prescription charges – varies as I’m never quite sure how it works, usually less than €5.00, cheaper than the UK.
- Specialist (GESY) Appointments – I have been referred a couple of times, takes less than a month for an appointment, again way better than the UK. You pay a small charge of €6.00.
- Private Appointments – Can be done next day, for example a dermatologist cost me €50.00
- I needed some X-Rays, I went the local hospital at a time to suit me, straight in, cost me €10.00
- Waiting times – I could have my knee operation in two months (not 3 years like I experienced in the UK)
- Hospital and Staff – I was admitted about a year ago for three days, staff were brilliant, seem to be enough nursing staff on duty, care was attentive. However, food was a downside.
So, overall GESY is amazing.
