Cyprus Hospitals, A&E and First Aid for Residents and Visitors

In brief: In a serious emergency in Cyprus, call 112. Residents and visitors can receive emergency assessment, but the financial position depends on GeSY status, EHIC or GHIC entitlement, travel insurance, the provider and whether treatment is public or private. Do not delay urgent care while trying to resolve an insurance question.

Written for Cyprus Law Chambers and reviewed by Evi Papacleovoulou, Cyprus Lawyer. Administrative information last reviewed 26 August 2026. This article is not emergency or medical advice. This is not emergency or medical advice.

What should you do in the first minutes of an emergency?

1. Call 112 for a serious or life-threatening emergency.

2. Give the district, location pin, landmark and callback number clearly.

3. State the number of patients, symptoms or injuries and any hazard at the scene.

4. Follow the operator's instructions and do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger.

5. Prepare identity, GeSY, EHIC, GHIC or insurance information only where this does not delay care.

6. Ask a companion to bring the patient's medicine and allergy list where possible.

Emergency assessment comes first. Eligibility, insurance and reimbursement can be addressed as soon as reasonably possible afterwards.

What number should you call in Cyprus?

For an ambulance, call 112 . The State Health Services Organisation also publishes the Ambulance Control Centre number 22887171.

Be ready to give:

• district, area and full location;

• callback number;

• the nature of the emergency;

• number of patients;

• hazards at the scene; and

• clear landmarks where there is no formal address.

The State Health Services Organisation states that the emergency response and transport of a patient to a public or private A&E department is free. This does not mean that every treatment, private service or non-emergency journey is free.

Can Cyprus residents use public hospitals?

Yes. Cyprus has public general hospitals, including Paphos General Hospital and Limassol General Hospital, alongside private hospitals and clinics. Access and charges depend on status.

GeSY beneficiaries

GeSY beneficiaries have direct access to A&E and emergency ambulance services. Inpatient care can follow a referral from an outpatient specialist or A&E. Ordinary non-emergency care should usually begin through the Personal Doctor and referral system.

Residents who are not GeSY beneficiaries

A resident outside GeSY may use private care under a policy or as a self-paying patient. In an emergency, seek care first and deal with payment and insurance evidence as soon as reasonably possible. A residence-compliant insurance certificate may not cover every provider or treatment.

UK S1 and other coordinated-care cases

A person with registered S1 or other cross-border entitlement should keep evidence accessible and understand which system and provider route applies. Do not assume that an unregistered foreign form will be recognised automatically at reception.

Paphos General Hospital and A&E

Paphos General Hospital accepts emergency admission through its Accident and Emergency Department. The doctor on duty can issue the referral required for inpatient care where clinically necessary.

A&E is for urgent and emergency conditions. It should not be used as a substitute for a Personal Doctor, weekend on-call service or planned specialist appointment.

Can visitors use Cyprus hospitals?

Yes, but the financial position varies.

EU and EEA visitors with an EHIC

The Cyprus Ministry of Health states that an EHIC holder can obtain medically necessary care through public healthcare centres, normally subject to the standard local fee. The visitor may also use a GeSY provider, but may need to pay the full amount and claim reimbursement from the home state.

The Ministry states that public-hospital inpatient treatment is free under the EHIC route, while treatment in a private hospital participating in GeSY may require full payment followed by a reimbursement claim. Carry the physical card and identification.

Visitors from the United Kingdom

A valid GHIC or eligible EHIC gives access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay, subject to the applicable Cyprus system. It does not cover every private provider, repatriation, changed flights or all non-urgent treatment.

Visitors without EHIC or GHIC entitlement

Use appropriate travel insurance and be prepared to pay or provide a guarantee where required. A visitor should not rely on the existence of a public hospital as a substitute for insurance.

Are first-aid services available in Cyprus for visitors?

Emergency response is available through 112. At organised beaches and public events, seasonal lifeguard or first-aid arrangements may also exist, but they vary by location and time. Do not rely on a beach being staffed outside the advertised hours.

For a minor non-emergency issue, a pharmacy, private clinic, public health centre or on-call Personal Doctor service may be more appropriate. For chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, serious allergic reaction or loss of consciousness, call 112.

A practical health file for residents and visitors

Keep the following accessible on your phone and in paper form where possible:

• passport or identity document;

• ARC or residence document;

• GeSY beneficiary details and Personal Doctor contact;

• EHIC, GHIC or S1 evidence where relevant;

• private or travel-insurance policy and emergency number;

• current medicines and allergies;

• emergency contact;

• Cyprus address and location pin; and

• consent or guardianship information for a child or vulnerable adult.

How Cyprus Law Chambers can help

Cyprus Law Chambers is not an emergency service. In relocation work, we can prevent avoidable administrative gaps by:

• identifying whether the residence route requires insurance;

• separating GeSY entitlement from immigration status;

• checking healthcare evidence before a filing;

• coordinating residence, S1, family and insurance documentation; and

• reviewing powers of attorney or advance planning where appropriate.

For an actual medical emergency, call 112 rather than the law office. For non-emergency relocation planning, read the Living in Cyprus guide or contact Cyprus Law Chambers.

Frequently asked questions

Is an ambulance free in Cyprus?

The State Health Services Organisation states that emergency response and transport to an A&E department is free. Non-emergency transport can be chargeable.

Can a tourist walk into Paphos General Hospital?

A visitor can seek emergency assessment. Coverage and charges depend on EHIC, GHIC, insurance, status and the treatment provided.

Does a GHIC cover private hospitals?

Do not assume so. GHIC is for eligible medically necessary state-provided care and is not an alternative to travel insurance.

Can I use EHIC after becoming resident in Cyprus?

An EHIC is not generally the permanent healthcare solution after moving. Establish the correct resident healthcare basis.

Should I call my Personal Doctor in an emergency?

For a life-threatening emergency, call 112. The Personal Doctor is the ordinary primary-care route for non-emergency care.

Official sources

• State Health Services Organisation: ambulance information

• Paphos General Hospital

• Cyprus Ministry of Health: using an EHIC in Cyprus

• UK Government travel advice: healthcare in Cyprus

• GeSY access to healthcare services

Emergency note: Call 112 for urgent assistance. This article cannot assess symptoms, entitlement or treatment.

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This guide provides general legal and practical information, not medical advice. For diagnosis, treatment, emergencies or individual clinical decisions, contact a qualified healthcare professional or the appropriate emergency service.