Visitor's Health Insurance for a Short Stay in Cyprus

If you will be traveling abroad and visiting Cyprus for a short period of time, such as less than 90 days, then you will not be able to take advantage of the public health care system in Cyprus. In fact you will need to have your own private health insurance or travel insurance that will cover you while you are on the island. The possible exception to this is if you are a European Union national you may be able to present your health card to obtain free or low cost health care services.

If you will be a short stay visitor to Cyprus you should look and try to find out if you can extend your current health insurance coverage in your home country to cover you while you are in Cyprus. If you cannot do that then you will most likely need to see about getting a travel health insurance policy for your self. If you are a student you will be able to get low cost travel health insurance through a college travel abroad association or group. Your university may even have some brochures that they can give you on travel health insurance.

Depending on your home country, there may be a reciprocal health care agreement in place. You should check and see if your country has a reciprocal agreement with Cyprus. If so, make sure you check the available coverage as it may not be adequate and you may still need to get travel health insurance. You can find this information out by contacting the social security or social welfare department in your home country. For instance, in the United Kingdom the Department of Social Security, Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate offers information on their reciprocal health care agreement with Cyprus.

Citizens of some countries are able to apply for a European Health Insurance Card instead of having to get travel health insurance. Citizens of Switzerland and any European Economic Area (EEA) countries can apply for a European Health Insurance Card at their local social security office. It should be applied for at least three weeks before you plan to travel to Cyprus. Having a European Health Insurance Card entitles you to free or low cost medical treatment in Cyprus for up to 90 days. Unfortunately the European Health Insurance Card does not provide coverage for everything. With the European Health Insurance Card you have complete coverage for hospital treatments. Prescription medication, special exams and x-rays, lab tests, physiotherapy and dental treatment are not covered under the European Health Insurance Card.