Accessing Medical Care in Cyprus: What Covers EHIC

Accessing Medical Care in Cyprus: What Covers EHIC

Cyprus is a beautiful holiday destination, famous for its stunning beaches and full of interesting antiques. A short flight to Cyprus takes you to a beautiful island that makes you feel a million miles from home – but Cyprus is closer than you think.
As a member country AU Cyprus offers reciprocal healthcare, and indeed this is part of its appeal as a holiday destination among Europeans. However, while the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) offers health benefits in EU countries for UK citizens, it should be remembered that each country has a different health care system. You will not always get the same care as you do with the NHS in the UK. A single trip or annual travel insurance policy is always recommended. Accessing Medical Care in Cyprus: What Covers EHIC

 

What is the EHIC Rule in Cyprus?

If you need medical treatment in Cyprus and you have a valid EHIC, you are entitled to a low cost or sometimes free treatment. It should be noted, however, that your EHIC does not apply in the Republic of Cyprus, which is the northern part of the island where the government has little control over what is happening. If you visit this area, adequate annual travel insurance or even a single travel policy is a must.

As in most EU countries, EHIC does not cover personal care. If you only have your EHIC with you in Cyprus, you need to find a state-funded doctor or hospital. Regular travelers, however, with annual travel insurance may be able to access private health services and reclaim all costs.

Changes in Rules Accessing Medical Care in Cyprus: What Covers EHIC

In 2013, the nominal fee goes into effect for medical treatment in Cyprus. All citizens of Cyprus and EU citizens now have to pay 3 euros for GP visit, 6 euro for specialist visit and 0.50 euros for each treatment received. If Cypriots do not have a medical card, or visitors do not have an EHIC, this fee is higher. Emergency treatment for Cypriot medical cards or EHIC holders costs 10 euros, although pensioners (including pensioners from EU countries) are exempt from paying this.

Hospital visit Accessing Medical Care in Cyprus: What Covers EHIC

Non-urgent hospital visits in Cyprus, such as in the UK, require a referral, and your login will be asked for your EHIC. This entitles you to treat with the same rate of decline as the Cypriot population.

While EHIC is a valuable tool for identifying who you are and where you are from – and thus what kind of medical treatment you want – peace of mind actually comes from having adequate insurance. Single travel policy will be enough if you only take one trip abroad a year. If you are planning on doing some trips to the EU, the comprehensive annual travel insurance policy is the way to go.

Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of InsureMore, an award-winning specialist team in a single global travel and annual travel insurance policy. In addition to offering attractive offers for travel insurance, Patrick also collects and shares the best free travel competitions to help his clients get the most out of their holiday.