GESY – Understanding the General Health System in Cyprus

GESY or GHS, is the general healthcare system in Cyprus. Its purpose is to provide people with high-quality healthcare services.

Its focus is towards succeeding in covering the population by providing medical care, while at the same time emphasizing the right for equality and fair treatment of all the beneficiaries.

A uniform protocol should be followed, starting with the beneficiaries electronically registering in the system or going directly to the doctor of their choosing to finish the process jointly. Beneficiaries who are not Cypriots must enter the numbers on their registration certificates while registering in the system. In the event that the beneficiaries do not already possess the aforementioned certifications, we can assist them with the requirements to first apply for a registration certificate in order to move forward with their GHS application.

Beneficiaries of healthcare services

a) Citizens of the Republic of Cyprus

People who are holders of a Cyprus citizenship are beneficiaries of the GHS system as well as their dependents.

In case that you are a Cypriot citizen studying abroad and you are under the age of twenty-six (26), you are still eligible even if you are absent from Cyprus, provided that you are attending an educational institution regularly that it is recognizable as a higher education institution by the competent national authorities of the country in which it operates.

b) European Union Citizens

A European citizen is considered eligible only in the following scenarios:

  1. You are employed.

  2. You are a holder of a permanent residence permit.

  3. You are a member of family of a beneficiary

  4. You are insured in another Eu country. (S1 Form)

c) Non-European Union Citizens

Third country nationals could be eligible if they are holders of a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Cyprus as well as their dependants.

In case that you are a British citizen that obtained a residence permit (UKW1) in Cyprus under the beneficiaries of the withdrawal agreement of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the EU and Euratom, you are considered eligible for benefiting from the GHS system in Cyprus, only if you are employed. In the case that you are not employed, you must apply for a permanent residence permit, in this case UKW3.

In the event that you are a holder of a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Cyprus, it is not required for you to be employed.

A non-European citizen is considered eligible in the following scenarios:

  1. You are employed.

  2. You are a holder of a permanent residence permit.

  3. You are a member of family of a beneficiary

  4. You are insured in another Eu country. (S1 Form)

UK Nationals

UK citizens who come to Cyprus and obtain a temporary residence permit – Visitor, even if UK is not an EU-member state anymore, if they are holders of the S1 Form in UK, they can register with GESY in Cyprus. What is required is that:

(a) you must have a residence permit in the Republic of Cyprus, and

(b) own or rent a property on the island where you will be staying.

However, before registering with GESY you must obtain the so called “Health Care Card” from the Ministry of Health of Cyprus, which is something we can assist you with.

Healthcare Services and Coverage

Overview of Services Provided

The General Health System (GHS) in Cyprus offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services to its beneficiaries. These services are designed to ensure that all citizens and permanent residents have access to high-quality medical care. The GHS covers:

  • Outpatient care: This includes consultations with general practitioners and specialists, diagnostic tests, and treatments.

  • Inpatient care: Hospitalization and treatment in both public and private hospitals are covered.

  • Pharmaceutical care: Beneficiaries can access prescription medication and other pharmaceutical products.

  • Preventive care: Services such as vaccinations, screenings, and health education programs are provided to promote overall health and prevent diseases.

  • Rehabilitation care: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy services are available to aid in recovery and rehabilitation.

The GHS aims to provide universal access to these healthcare services, ensuring that all individuals receive the care they need.

Coverage Details and Limitations

While the GHS provides extensive coverage for a variety of healthcare services, there are certain limitations and exclusions to be aware of. The coverage includes:

  • Doctor visits and consultations

  • Diagnostic tests and examinations

  • Hospitalization and treatment

  • Surgical procedures

  • Prescription medication and other pharmaceutical products

However, the GHS does not cover:

  • Cosmetic procedures and treatments

  • Experimental or unproven treatments

  • Services provided by non-contracted healthcare providers

  • Services provided outside of Cyprus, unless specifically authorized by the Health Insurance Organisation

Additionally, beneficiaries may be required to make co-payments for certain services, such as prescription medication and doctor visits. These co-payments help to manage the costs of the healthcare system while ensuring that essential services remain accessible to all.

Public and Private Sector Partnership

Collaboration Between Sectors

The General Health System (GHS) in Cyprus operates as a public-private partnership, integrating both public and private sector healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive healthcare services. The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) plays a crucial role in managing this system, ensuring that all beneficiaries have access to high-quality care.

The public sector offers a wide array of healthcare services, including hospitalization and treatment. On the other hand, the private sector contributes specialized services such as diagnostic tests and surgical procedures. By contracting with both public and private sector providers, the HIO ensures that beneficiaries have access to a diverse range of healthcare services.

This collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital for the success of the GHS. It allows for the provision of universal access to healthcare services, ensuring that all beneficiaries receive high-quality care regardless of their income or social status. The HIO works closely with both sectors to maintain a balanced and efficient healthcare system that meets the needs of all patients.

Procedure of registering with the general healthcare system

There exist two ways of registering with GHS. You can either register online or visit your personal doctor.

However, in order to enroll in the GHS health system, one must complete the registration at the Civil Registry, or the Registry of the Migration Department and/or at the Social Insurance Services like beforementioned.

In case when you are either an Eu National or a non-EU national, and you are eligible for the services of GHS based on the criteria of “employed” then you must inform the Social Insurance about your residency permit so they can “link” your ARC number with your social insurance account. This way, a small percentage of your salary will be contributed to GESY system and therefore you will be eligible for its’ services.

Basically, to be eligible and considered a beneficiary to your right for Health Care from GHS system, you either must be employed or if employment is not a choice you will have to be a holder of a permanent residency permit in Cyprus or be a holder of the S1 form in another Eu country, which will be contributing for GESY while you will be registered in the system.

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