The national healthcare system of Cyprus, known as GESY (General Healthcare System), is one of the most significant social reforms in the country’s history. Introduced in 2019, this system provides comprehensive access to medical services for all registered citizens and residents of Cyprus. The GESY website offers important information on how the system operates, its financing, and how patients can access medical services.
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Key Principles of GESY
GESY is based on the principle of universal access to medical services, which implies equal access for all citizens, regardless of their financial status. The primary goal of the system is to improve the quality of healthcare and to provide financial protection for the population against high medical costs. The system includes a wide range of services, such as primary and specialized medical care, hospitalization, laboratory tests, medical procedures, and surgeries.
How the System Works
GESY operates on the principle of direct access to general practitioners, who serve as the first point of contact in healthcare. General practitioners can then refer patients to specialists if necessary. This structure allows patients to receive timely and quality medical care.
Every citizen or resident of Cyprus has the option to choose a doctor from the list published on the official GESY website. Medical facilities, including private clinics, can also join the system, expanding the choices available to patients. The system is integrated with pharmacies, allowing patients to purchase necessary medications prescribed by GESY doctors.
Benefits and Challenges
GESY offers significant benefits, such as reduced medical costs, the ability to choose a doctor, and broad access to various medical services. Patients can expect high-quality care due to strict oversight by the Health Insurance Organization (HIO).
However, like any major reform, the GESY system faces a number of challenges. One key issue is the long waiting lists to see certain specialists, as well as a limited list of covered medications and procedures. Nonetheless, the system continues to evolve, and government authorities are constantly working to improve its efficiency.
The GESY (General Healthcare System) in Cyprus provides access to medical services for various categories of the population, though not all foreign nationals are eligible to register with the system.
Who is Eligible to Register with GESY?
Cypriot Citizens
All Cypriot citizens, regardless of age, employment status, or income, are eligible to be registered with the GESY system.
Foreign Nationals with the Right to Work in Cyprus
Foreign nationals who have legal rights to work in Cyprus are also eligible to register with the GESY system. This includes citizens of European Union countries and third-country nationals who work in Cyprus. A valid residence permit and work authorization, confirmed by the appropriate documents, are required.
Dependents
Children and other dependents of registered GESY participants are also eligible to access medical services through the system. This extends to family members of Cypriot citizens and foreign nationals with the right to work.
Who is Not Eligible to Register with GESY?
Foreign nationals residing in Cyprus on a Visitor Visa do not have the right to register with GESY. This category of individuals is not covered by the healthcare system and must rely on private health insurance or pay for medical services out of pocket.
Requirements for Registration
To register with the GESY system, one must provide identity documents—such as a passport—and a valid work residence permit in Cyprus.
As a result, the GESY system is aimed at providing healthcare services to those who legally reside and work in Cyprus, ensuring equal access to healthcare for all registered participants.
Services Available in GESY
The GESY (General Healthcare System) in Cyprus offers a wide range of medical services, organized into various categories. Each of these categories covers specific types of medical care and includes both private and public healthcare facilities. Below are the main categories of services provided by GESY
Personal Doctors
Personal doctors provide primary healthcare services, including diagnosis, treatment of common illnesses, prevention, and vaccination. Patients can choose a personal doctor who will be their first point of contact in the healthcare system and refer them to specialists if necessary.
Outpatient Specialists
Outpatient specialists provide specialized medical care in various fields such as cardiology, dermatology, pediatrics, and many others. Access to their services is available through a referral from a personal doctor.
Inpatient Medical Care
Inpatient care includes hospitalization, surgical operations, intensive care, and other types of medical care that require a hospital stay. These services are provided by both public and private hospitals participating in the GESY system.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies registered with the GESY system provide patients with access to prescription and over-the-counter medications. Pharmacists can also advise patients on the proper use of medications.
Laboratories
Laboratories offer a wide range of diagnostic services, such as blood tests, microbiological studies, genetic tests, and other types of laboratory investigations. Referrals for laboratory tests are usually issued by a doctor.
Dentists
Dental services include preventive care, treatment of teeth and gums, orthodontic services, and other procedures related to oral health. Patients can choose a dentist registered with the GESY system.
Emergency Departments
Emergency departments provide urgent medical care for injuries, acute illnesses, and other situations requiring immediate intervention. These departments operate 24/7 and are available to all registered patients.
Ambulance Services
Ambulance services provide emergency transportation of patients to medical facilities and offer first aid at the scene. These services are accessible through emergency calls.
Nurses, Midwives, and Auxiliary Medical Services
These services include support from nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, speech therapists, and other specialists involved in patient health support and rehabilitation. These professionals play a crucial role in recovery and health maintenance.
Additional Services
Palliative Care
Providing care to patients with chronic and incurable illnesses to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Rehabilitative Care
Services for recovery after surgeries, injuries, and illnesses, including physiotherapy and other restorative procedures.
Home Care
Medical care provided at home for patients requiring long-term care and support.
These service categories provide comprehensive medical care and allow Cyprus residents to receive quality and accessible healthcare through the GESY system.
System Financing
Contributions to the GESY fund (General Healthcare System) in Cyprus are a key element of financing this system, which provides access to healthcare services for all registered residents of the country. These contributions come from various sources and are distributed among all participants in the system, helping to maintain its sustainability and provide a wide range of services.
Main sources of financing
Contributions to the GESY fund come from several categories of payers:
Employees
All employed individuals contribute 2.65% of their gross salary to the GESY fund. These contributions are deducted by the employer and transferred to the fund.
Employers
Employers, in turn, are required to contribute 2.9% of their employees’ payroll to the GESY system. These contributions are also mandatory and are included in the overall payroll tax system.
Self-employed Individuals
Self-employed individuals contribute 4% of their income. This percentage is calculated based on the declared annual income, and the payment is made independently.
The Government
The government contributes 4.7% of the aggregate income of citizens participating in the system. This is an important component of funding that helps ensure access to services for socially vulnerable groups such as pensioners, the unemployed, and students.
Pensioners, Students, and Others
For certain categories of citizens, such as pensioners, students, and individuals with disabilities, contributions amount to 2.65% of pensions and other incomes. These contributions help ensure access to medical services even for those who are not actively employed.
Contribution Mechanism
Contributions to GESY are made on a regular basis, usually monthly, and are included in general tax payments or automatically deducted by the employer from employees’ salaries. For self-employed individuals, there is a system of self-reporting and payment of contributions within the established deadlines.
The collected funds go into a general GESY fund, from which payments are made for services provided by doctors, laboratory tests, hospitalization, and other medical procedures available to registered participants in the system.
Benefits and Significance of the Contribution System
This financing system ensures a stable inflow of funds into the GESY fund, which is critically important for maintaining the quality and accessibility of healthcare services in Cyprus. The distribution of the financial burden between employees, employers, and the government makes the system fair and sustainable, providing health protection for all population categories.
Moreover, contributions to GESY provide financial security for citizens in the event of serious illnesses or the need for expensive treatments, reducing the risk of significant financial losses for families.
The GESY contribution system demonstrates how effective and equitable healthcare financing can be organized within a national system, ensuring the accessibility and quality of medical services for all citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions About GESY in Cyprus
How can I access the medical services provided by GESY?
You can enroll in the GESY Beneficiary Register online or by visiting a Personal Doctor (PD). To register in the Register, you need to be listed in the Civil Registry, the Migration Department Register, and, if necessary, the Social Insurance Service Register. To confirm compliance with the GESY Law of 2017, the Health Insurance Organization may request additional certificates or proof.
How can I register online as a beneficiary?
You can apply to register in the GESY Beneficiary Register online through the Beneficiary Portal. The first step is to create an account through the HIO website and activate it. Then you can log in to the Beneficiary Portal and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the registration. The registration process requires filling in certain fields for identification in the mentioned registers, as well as providing additional information (e.g., address, phone number for contact, etc.).
Do I need to send an application by mail with attached proof?
The application is submitted online only. If the application cannot be completed using information from the mentioned registers, the system will notify you of the need to print the application and attach the required evidence, which should then be sent to the HIO. The system provides clear and detailed instructions on the evidence that needs to be provided depending on the chosen beneficiary category.
I don’t have access to the internet. How can I register with GESY?
People without internet access can register with the help of third parties who have an account on the Beneficiary Portal, provided that the process is carried out with their consent. You can apply for GESY beneficiary registration with the help of a third party or by visiting a personal doctor. However, if additional evidence is required, the online registration process can only be completed through the Beneficiary Portal with the help of a third party.
How can I access my medical history?
Beneficiaries can access their medical history by linking their account on the portal with their beneficiary record. Adult beneficiaries can link only one account to one beneficiary record. The records of minor children are automatically linked to the parent’s account after the parents link their account with the beneficiary record.
GESY is an important step towards creating an efficient healthcare system that covers all aspects of medical care. The implementation of GESY has not only improved the level of healthcare in Cyprus but also provided financial protection to the population, giving every resident of the country the opportunity to receive necessary medical care.
This approach demonstrates how a sustainable healthcare system can be organized to address the challenges of modern society and ensure the accessibility of medical services for all citizens, regardless of their social status and financial situation.
