Summary: Acomplete guide for British and EU citizens to getting free medical care when moving to live, work or retire in Cyprus

Cyprus has become one of the most popular choices with expats from the UK in recent years.  Ever since the nation joined the EU back in 2004, it seems to have grown in appeal with retired persons and also young families who all choose Cyprus because of its fantastic climate and excellent quality of life. Cyprus has the added advantage of feeling just a touch British as well, because all Cypriots receive English language tuition at school, they drive on the leftand until 1960 the island was a British colony!

As a member of the European Union, Cyprus has had to sign up to many directives that ensure fair treatment of all EU citizens in Cyprus regardless of their nation of origin, and when it comes to health care this is very good news for anyone contemplating a relocation to the island.

In this article we will cover in depth your entitlement to free medical care in Cyprus – and for the sake of this article,we’re only referring to the area of Cyprus under the control of the GreekCypriot government, i.e., the following rules, guidelines and advice do not apply to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

As stated, Cyprus became a member of the European Union back in 2004, since then the island has been in receipt of substantial funding towards infrastructure upgrades, and the local government has also invested a great deal in the overall improvement of many aspects of the island.  One area that has received significant funding is the health care system.  Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, has a brand new, state of the art hospital for example, and other clinics and hospitals across the island have benefitted from investment as well.  This all means that Cyprus is aleading light when it comes to the state provision of health care.

Along side these public hospitals and clinics Cyprus is home to many private facilities, and the island has a growing reputation as a centre for private medical procedures. Prices for private treatment aremore competitive than those in the UK, and with all doctors having receivedtraining and experience in the likes of the UK, US and Germany, you can restassured that the state or private treatment you will receive in Cyprus will betop notch.

If you hold an EU passport, are an EU resident and you’re moving to live in Cyprus there is every chance that you will be entitled to free medical care.  If you’re from the UK and have a British passport, you’re moving to work in Cyprus or retire to the island then you will be ableto claim free medical treatment.  Others such as students, dependents and tourists to the island are also entitled to free treatment as well. However, depending on your status you will have to get the appropriate E form or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your own member state before you go for treatment, otherwise you can be charged for the care you receive. Please note, the old E111 form that Britons used to complete to get temporary treatment abroad when travelling as tourists is no longer valid, instead one has to apply for an EHIC or European Health Insurance Card.  The good news is that you can apply for one free and online via the NHS web siteand you should receive one within a few days.

If you’re moving to live permanently in Cyprus you will need either need an E121 form or an E106 form from the UK to take with you.  If you’re retired and in receipt of a UK state pension or you’re onlong-term incapacity benefit, the form you need to get and take with you to Cyprus is the E121.  This will entitle you to free medical care in Cyprus for the entire duration of your stay in the country.  Contact the DWP formore information about getting this form: - Department for Work and Pensions(DWP),
The Pensions Service,
Tyneview Park,
Whitley Road,
Newcastle upon Tyne.
NE981BA – or call
: 0191 218 7777.

If you’re moving to live but not work in Cyprus and you are below retirement age and not in receipt of any form of benefit from the UK, you need to apply for the E106 form, and in most cases this will entitle you to up to two and a half years of free medical care in Cyprus.  Those who will be moving to work in Cyprus will of course pay Cypriot tax and therefore contribute directly to the social system, such people will also be entitled to free medical care as a result.  Those who have a form E121 or E106 have to then contact any one of the state hospitals in Cyprus upon arrival, or the Ministry of Health, and supply a copy of the original E121 or E106 plusa completed application form for a Cypriot Medical Card.  A card will then be issued within as short a time as possible.  You can learn more about applying for the Cypriot Medical Card from the Cyprus Ministry of Health website.

In conclusion, because Cyprus is in the EU and has very high standards of medical care, it’s an excellent nation to consider for relocation purposes.  The key to making such a move successful is getting informed up front about your entitlement to things such as free health care.