Health Insurance for a Cyprus Residence Permit

Summarise this page 6 key points · 1 minute

What the Migration Department asks forMost temporary permits need a Plan A certificate covering inpatient, outpatient and repatriation for the whole permit period, and travel insurance is not accepted.
The medical certificateFirst-time applicants need Cyprus blood tests for hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis plus a chest X-ray, certified by a specialist doctor in Cyprus.
Requirements by permit typeVisitor, student and digital nomad permits need private cover and generally cannot use GESY, while employees and permanent residents can join GESY.
How private insurance relates to GESYGESY does not pay for repatriation of remains, so the Migration Department may still ask GESY beneficiaries for a private policy covering it.
What it costsPlan A cover typically costs around €175 per person a year, or roughly €120–€250, with premiums rising with age.
Exclusions and limits to checkA typical Plan A policy has an annual limit of €14,000, co-insurance and exclusions such as pre-existing conditions, so consider extra cover.

Quick answer

Most non-EU nationals applying for a Cyprus residence permit must show a private health insurance certificate covering inpatient (hospital) care, outpatient care and repatriation of remains, usually called "Plan A", valid for the length of the permit. First-time applicants also need blood tests for hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis and a chest X-ray for tuberculosis, certified by a doctor in Cyprus. Basic Plan A cover is cheap, with law firms reporting around €120–€250 per person a year, but its limits are low and pre-existing conditions are usually excluded. Once you work in Cyprus or hold permanent residence you can usually join GESY, although the Migration Department may still ask for private cover for repatriation.

The standard requirement is a "Plan A" policy covering inpatient care, outpatient care and repatriation of remains, valid for the whole permit period; travel insurance is not a substitute.
First applications need blood tests (hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis) and a chest X-ray for tuberculosis, stamped by a specialist doctor in Cyprus; renewals usually do not.
Visitor (pink slip), student and digital nomad permit holders are not GESY beneficiaries through their permit, so private cover is their only health insurance.
Employees and permanent residents can usually join GESY, but GESY does not pay for repatriation, so a private policy covering at least that is often still requested.
Basic Plan A premiums are typically quoted at about €120–€250 a person a year, but annual limits of around €14,000 and exclusions for pre-existing conditions make them a paperwork minimum, not real protection.

If you are moving to Cyprus from outside the EU, health insurance is one of the first documents the Migration Department will ask for. The good news is that the basic policy is quick to buy and inexpensive. The catch is that the minimum cover the Department accepts is very limited, so it pays to understand what you are buying and when you need more.

This guide explains what the Department expects, how it differs by permit type, where GESY fits in, what policies typically cost and which exclusions to look out for.

A note on names. The Civil Registry and Migration Department is now the Migration Department under the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection. Many forms, insurers and lawyers still use the old name, and the requirements below apply either way.

What the Migration Department asks for

For most temporary residence permits, the Department expects a medical insurance certificate that covers:

Inpatient care: hospital stays, surgery, intensive care and the related tests and fees.
Outpatient care: doctor visits, diagnostic tests and medicines outside hospital.
Repatriation of remains: transporting the body to the home country in case of death.

In Cyprus this package is widely known as "Plan A". Insurers also sell a Plan B (hospital and repatriation only) and a Plan C (repatriation only), which are used in specific situations, such as employees who already have other outpatient cover. For a first permit, assume Plan A unless you are told otherwise.

The policy should be valid for the whole permit period, normally 12 months, and each family member needs their own certificate. Standard travel insurance is not accepted.

Local or international policy? Most applicants buy a Cyprus policy from a local insurer, because the certificate comes in the format the Department is used to and is often issued the same day. Some law firms say an existing international policy can also work, provided it clearly covers you in Cyprus for inpatient and outpatient care and includes repatriation. There is no single published list of approved insurers, so if you want to use an international plan, check with the Department or your district immigration office first.

The medical certificate

First-time applicants also need medical tests carried out in Cyprus:

Blood tests showing you are clear of hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis.
A chest X-ray to screen for tuberculosis.

The original results must be certified by a specialist doctor practising in Cyprus. Any private clinic or hospital can do the tests. They are normally needed only for the first permit, not for renewals. There is no fixed validity period that we could confirm from an official source, so book the tests close to your appointment; older results may lead to a request for fresh ones. Students and employees are usually asked to repeat the tests after arrival even if they had them done abroad.

Requirements by permit type

Permit	Private cover needed	Can you use GESY?
Visitor (pink slip)	Yes, Plan A for the full year	No
Employment	Plan A, or GESY plus repatriation cover	Yes, once employed
Student (non-EU)	Yes, Plan A for the study year	Generally no
Digital nomad	Yes, inpatient, outpatient and repatriation	Generally no
Permanent residence (Category F, Regulation 6(2))	Yes when applying; yearly proof if not in GESY	Yes, once a permanent resident
EU citizens (yellow slip, not working)	Health cover until GESY registration	Only if eligible

Visitor permit (pink slip)

The visitor permit is for people who live in Cyprus on income from abroad and do not work here. You need a Plan A policy valid for the full year, and the permit does not make you a GESY beneficiary, so your private policy is your only health cover. Recent law firm guides put the income requirement at around €24,000 a year for a single applicant, but check current figures on the Migration Department's visitors page before applying. Our retiring in Cyprus guide covers the wider application.

Employment permits

Non-EU employees need a health insurance certificate covering inpatient care, outpatient care and repatriation, plus the medical tests. Once you work in Cyprus, you pay GESY contributions through payroll and become eligible for GESY. The University of Cyprus guidance for non-EU staff notes that, at first registration, GESY registration plus private insurance for repatriation can replace full Plan A cover. Employers often arrange the policy, especially for domestic workers. See our work permit guide for the full process.

Students

Non-EU students need a Plan A certificate valid for one year, or for the length of their stay if shorter, with the student named as the insured person. Renewals need a fresh certificate each year. Universities' international offices usually explain which documents to bring and often point students to suitable insurers. See our guide to universities for international students.

Digital nomads

The digital nomad permit requires medical insurance covering inpatient care, outpatient care and repatriation of remains. Because digital nomads work for employers or clients abroad rather than in Cyprus, they generally cannot rely on GESY. Since this is often a family move and the minimum Plan A is limited, many nomads choose a fuller international plan. Our digital nomad visa guide has the income and application details.

Permanent residence: Category F and Regulation 6(2)

Applicants for permanent residence, including the investment route under Regulation 6(2) and Category F, submit a health insurance certificate covering inpatient and outpatient care for themselves and their dependants. After the permit is granted, holders are asked to show proof of private health insurance each year if they do not benefit from GESY. Permanent residents can usually register with GESY, so many move to GESY and keep a smaller private policy alongside.

EU citizens

EU citizens registering for a yellow slip (MEU1) who do not work in Cyprus, such as early retirees, need health cover until they qualify for GESY. Those working in Cyprus join GESY through their contributions, and pensioners insured in another EU country can register with an S1 form.

How private insurance relates to GESY

GESY is the public General Healthcare System. According to Politis, you can usually register if you live in the government-controlled areas and you:

are employed or self-employed in Cyprus;
hold permanent residence;
have refugee or subsidiary protection status;
are a family member of a GESY beneficiary; or
are insured in another EU country and hold an S1 form.

Renting a home or simply living here for a long time is not enough on its own; your status must be recorded officially. Our GESY guide explains how to register.

One important gap: GESY does not pay for repatriation of remains. That is why the Migration Department may still ask GESY beneficiaries for a private policy that covers at least repatriation. If you join GESY after your first permit, tell the Migration Department and ask which certificate it wants at your next renewal.

What it costs

Cyprus insurers rarely publish standard prices for immigration policies; you get a quote based on age and plan. As a guide:

GK Law Firm says Plan A cover for a visitor permit typically costs around €175 per person a year.
A 2026 overview by Zeno Legal puts it at roughly €120–€250 per person a year.

Premiums rise with age, and some immigration plans have age limits; Cosmos Insurance's visitorsCARE, for example, is listed for people aged 18 to 65. Comprehensive local or international plans cost considerably more, especially from your fifties onwards.

Insurers that sell immigration cover in Cyprus include Atlantic Insurance, Cosmos Insurance, Universal Life and Pitsas Insurance, which launched an online purchase platform in September 2026. Compare at least two quotes and check the policy limits, not just the price.

Exclusions and limits to check

A Plan A policy satisfies the paperwork, but its benefits are modest. Cosmos's product document for visitorsCARE shows what a typical policy looks like:

Annual limit of €14,000And €9,000 per illness or accident.
Daily capsSuch as €70 for a hospital room and €175 for intensive care.
Co-insuranceYou pay 10% of inpatient costs and 20% of outpatient costs.
Waiting periods30 days for illness and longer for maternity benefits.
Cyprus onlyNothing is paid for treatment abroad.

Universal Life's employee plan is similar, with around €13,700 a year for inpatient care and a 90% payment rate.

Common exclusions include:

pre-existing conditions, unless the policy says otherwise;
pregnancy, apart from a small childbirth allowance;
mental health conditions;
dental and optical treatment and routine check-ups;
physiotherapy that is not linked to an accident.

Practical tips

Declare your medical history honestly. A claim can be refused if you leave out a known condition.
If you have an ongoing conditionAsk the insurer in writing whether it is covered, or look at a comprehensive plan with fuller underwriting.
Check claim deadlines. Some policies require claims within 7 to 14 days.
Keep the certificate and policy wording together with your permit papers. You will need a new certificate at every renewal.
Do not rely on Plan A for serious illness. A single private hospital stay can easily exceed €14,000. If you are not in GESY, consider extra cover.

For finding doctors and hospitals once you arrive, see our healthcare guide for expats.

Frequently asked questions

Is travel insurance accepted for a Cyprus residence permit?

No. The Migration Department expects a medical insurance certificate that covers inpatient and outpatient care in Cyprus and repatriation of remains for the full permit period. Short-term travel policies do not meet that standard.

How much does Plan A health insurance cost in Cyprus?

Law firms that handle residence applications report premiums of roughly €120–€250 per person a year, with around €175 a typical figure. The price depends on your age, the insurer and whether outpatient cover is added. Insurers do not publish standard prices, so ask for quotes.

Can I use GESY instead of private insurance for my residence permit?

Only if you are a GESY beneficiary, for example because you are employed or self-employed in Cyprus or hold permanent residence. Even then the Migration Department may ask for a private policy that covers repatriation of remains, because GESY does not pay for it. Visitors, students and digital nomads cannot rely on GESY.

Do I need new medical tests when I renew my permit?

Usually not. The blood tests and chest X-ray are required for the first application. Renewals normally need an updated insurance certificate instead.

Can I use my existing international health insurance?

Often yes, if the policy clearly covers you in Cyprus for inpatient and outpatient care and includes repatriation, and the insurer can issue a certificate in English or Greek saying so. Check with the Migration Department or your district immigration office before you apply, as acceptance can vary.

Does Plan A cover pre-existing conditions?

Usually not. Typical immigration policies exclude pre-existing conditions, dental and optical treatment, mental health and more, and pay only within Cyprus. If you have an ongoing condition, look at a fuller local or international policy.

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