GESY (ΓεΣΥ) — the General Healthcare System — is Cyprus's universal public health insurance. Everyone who lives and works in Cyprus contributes, and everyone is covered. Here is how it works in 2026.
GESY (Γενικό Σύστημα Υγείας, or GHS in English) is the national health insurance system that launched in two phases in 2019–2020. It replaced the old system where public hospitals served mainly government employees and the low-income, while everyone else relied on private insurance or paid out of pocket. Under GESY, all legal residents are entitled to a comprehensive package of healthcare services, funded by contributions from employees, employers, the self-employed, pensioners, and the state.
The system is managed by the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO / OAY), an independent body that collects contributions, contracts healthcare providers, and reimburses them. You choose your own personal doctor (GP), and they refer you to specialists when needed. Most services are free at the point of use, with small co-payments for some items.
| Category | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Employee | 2.65% | Gross earnings (no cap) |
| Employer | 2.90% | Gross earnings (no cap) |
| Self-employed | 4.00% | Income (no cap) |
| Pensioner | 2.65% | Pension income |
| Income earners (rent, dividends, interest) | 2.65% | Relevant income |
| State | 4.70% | Emoluments of employees |
Unlike Social Insurance, GESY contributions have no earnings cap — they are charged on your entire gross income. For an employee earning €3,000 per month, the GESY deduction is €79.50 per month. Your employer pays an additional €87 on top. These contributions are deducted automatically through payroll.
The package is comprehensive and includes:
Registration is automatic for most employees — your employer registers you when you start working. If you are self-employed or newly arrived, you register through the GESY portal (gesy.org.cy) using your Social Insurance number. Once registered, you choose a personal doctor from the GESY list. You can change your personal doctor up to four times per year.
EU nationals posted or working in Cyprus are covered. Non-EU nationals with a valid residence and work permit are also covered once they are registered with Social Insurance. Dependants (spouse and children) are automatically covered through the working member's registration.
The process is straightforward. When you need medical attention, you visit your registered personal doctor (GP). The GP examines you and either treats you directly or refers you to a specialist. You book specialist appointments through the GESY system. For emergencies, you go directly to a hospital accident and emergency department — no referral needed.
Prescriptions are issued electronically. You take your ID to any GESY-contracted pharmacy, and the pharmacist dispenses the medicine after you pay the small co-payment. Lab tests are also ordered electronically — you visit a GESY lab, give your sample, and the results go directly to your doctor's system.
| Service | Co-payment |
|---|---|
| GP visit | Free |
| Specialist visit (with referral) | €6 (€1 under 21) |
| Prescription medicine | €1 per item (€0.50 chronic) |
| Hospital admission | Free |
| Accident & Emergency | Free |
| Lab tests (with referral) | Free |
Annual co-payment caps exist to protect patients with chronic conditions or high medical needs. Once your total co-payments for the year exceed a certain threshold, further services are free.
GESY contributions are mandatory — you cannot opt out, even if you have private health insurance. However, many people keep supplementary private insurance for faster access to certain specialists, private hospital rooms, or services not fully covered by GESY (such as advanced dental work or elective cosmetic procedures). Your employer may offer private insurance as a benefit, but this does not reduce your GESY contribution.
If you move to Cyprus for work, you are automatically enrolled in GESY once your employer registers you with Social Insurance. There is no waiting period for employed persons — coverage begins immediately. For the first few weeks while paperwork is processed, you may use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you are an EU citizen. Non-EU nationals should ensure their residence permit is in order before relying on GESY coverage. The system does not discriminate by nationality — all legal residents receive the same benefits.
For an employee earning €2,000/month gross, the GESY contribution is €53 per month. At €3,500/month, it is €92.75. At €5,000/month, it is €132.50. These amounts are deducted from your payslip alongside Social Insurance. Remember that GESY contributions are tax-deductible — they reduce your taxable income before income tax is applied, so the real cost is slightly lower than the headline figure.
Last updated: 3 September 2026
Disclaimer: This page is general information about the GESY health system in Cyprus for 2026, not medical, legal or financial advice. Contribution rates, co-payments and covered services may change. Always confirm with the Health Insurance Organisation (gesy.org.cy) before making decisions. cyprussalary.com accepts no liability for decisions taken on the basis of this information.