Foreigners health insurance in Cyprus. Cheap immigration insurance.
Insurance for immigration in Cyprus
Any foreigner planning to move to Cyprus must acquire health insurance for foreigners.
In this guide to foreigners health insurance in Cyprus, we will analyse the various residency scheme options in the country and explain which immigration insurance is required for each.
We will also examine how immigration insurance in Cyprus works, the main types of coverage you can buy, and advise you on how to acquire an affordable contract.
Table of contents
- What is foreigners health insurance?
- Foreigners health insurance coverages
- Health insurance for foreigners claims history
- Pink Slip Insurance
- Yellow Slip Insurance
- Work Permit Insurance
- Immigration insurance FAQ
- Foreigners health insurance cost
- Best foreigners health insurance in Cyprus
- Online foreigners health insurance
- Affordable foreigners health insurance quotes
- Foreigners health insurance quotes
What is foreigners health insurance in Cyprus?
Foreigners health insurance is a compulsory policy for anyone wishing to immigrate to Cyprus.
Specifically, all non-EU citizens wishing to acquire any residency status (temporary or permanent) and most EU citizens who want to permanently live or work in Cyprus must obtain insurance for foreigners.
The immigration insurance must be presented to the immigration authorities in Cyprus during the residency visa application.
Specifically, applicants of the following residency schemes will require immigration insurance for foreigners.
- Non-European citizens: Pink Slip (or Temporary Residence Permit).
- European citizens: Yellow Slip.
- Non-EU citizens: Permanent Residency.
- European citizens: MEU1.
- Family members of EU citizens who are not Europeans: MEU2.
- Family members of EU citizens who are Europeans: MEU3.
- UK Nationals: MUKW1, MUKW2, MUKW3.
NB: EU nationals are considered citizens of both the EU and EFTA, otherwise known as the European Economic Area (EEA).
Health insurance for foreigners covers the following expenses:
- Inpatient.
- Outpatient.
- Body repatriation.
All terms contained in these contracts are identical in Cyprus because all insurance companies are obliged to follow the rules as outlined by Cypriot law.
Foreigners health insurance is a relatively cheap policy option as it does not provide fully comprehensive health insurance coverage.
The Cyprus government doesn’t want foreign nationals to become an economic burden for the Republic. Therefore, foreign nationals must prove they have adequate financial backing to stay in Cyprus.
Medical insurance for foreigners ensures that any medical bills will be paid for with the help of an insurance company.
Foreigners health insurance coverages
What does health insurance for foreigners cover?
Foreigners health insurance covers inpatient and outpatient expenses, and body repatriation, as mentioned above.
We will cover each coverage now in detail.
Inpatient expenses
Being required to stay in a hospital (private clinic) for a minimum of one night (i.e. for a medical operation) constitutes inpatient expenses.
- Inpatient expenses: the hospitalisation for at least one night in a private clinic. All expenses related to staying in the clinic are covered.
Case study. Suppose an insured patient needed an operation requiring them to stay in the hospital for one night. In that case, the x-rays (or diagnostic exams before the operation), the medical operation, and physiotherapy (the exams after the operation) will be financially covered.
Health insurance for foreigners, examples of inpatient expenses
- Surgery, room rent and room boarding charges, nursing and medical professionals’ fees, drugs and medicines, operation theatre charges, ICU, and implanted device costs.
- Pre & post-hospitalisation. Pre-hospitalisation expenses are health care costs incurred before admittance to a hospital, and post-hospitalisation expenses are incurred after hospital discharge.
Outpatient expenses
Any costs involved in receiving treatment outside of a hospital constitute outpatient expenses.
Outpatient expenses include any health care expenses associated with costs incurred when a patient is not staying in a hospital.
Essentially, outpatient expenses relate to expenses not related to hospitalisation, for example visiting a doctor’s clinic for treatments.
Health insurance for foreigners, examples of outpatient expenses
- Physiotherapy costs.
- Prescription expenses.
- Specialised doctor fees.
- Diagnostic tests (i.e. blood tests, MRI, x-rays, etc.).
Body repatriation
This portion of immigration coverage comes into effect to transfer a deceased person back to their country of origin or citizenship.
Immigration insurance in Cyprus covers body repatriation expenses to transport an insured’s body back to his country if he passes away.
The limits of liability of immigration health insurance are presented below.
| Cover Provided | Maximum Amount Per Benefit |
| HOSPITALISATION EXPENSES | |
| Maximum amount of coverage per accident or illness in case of hospitalisation (i.e. inpatient expenses) | €8,544 (per insured) |
| Maximum coverage amount per year | €13,669 (per insured) |
| Daily Hospitalisation (Regular Room and Food costs) | €69 (daily) |
| Daily Hospitalisation (Room and Food costs) in the Intensive Care Unit | €171 (daily) |
| OUTPATIENT EXPENSES | |
| Maximum coverage amount per illness or accident in case of outpatient expenses | €684 (per insured) |
| Maximum amount for the period of insurance | €1,709 |
| Maximum amount per visit | €18 |
| CHILDBIRTH BENEFIT | €513 |
| BODY REPATRIATION | €3,418 |
Note: This health insurance allows you to visit any clinic in Cyprus.
What does health insurance for foreigners not cover?
No matter your age or medical history, it is possible to buy immigration insurance. Nevertheless, it does not cover pre-existing and past medical conditions (i.e. chronic illnesses).
An immigration contract additionally has common exclusions, such as obesity, plastic and cosmetic surgery, AIDs, dental procedures, and ophthalmologists.
Health insurance for foreigners claims history
Health insurance for foreigners is not a fully comprehensive health insurance policy. It has extremely low limits of liability and many exclusions.
How do claims of immigration insurance work?
Here are the steps involved in filing an immigration insurance claim.
- You directly pay the clinic for either inpatient or outpatient expenses as a patient.
- Collect all the relevant proof of expenses (receipts and invoices) to provide to the insurance company. They exclusively accept the original documents.
- Complete a numbered claim form. You must complete the first part of the claim form, and the doctor should complete the second half.
NB: You should expect to receive compensation within around 20 working days.
The compensation amount will be transferred to your bank account and not anyone else’s, including family members.
Pink Slip Insurance in Cyprus
All applicants of the Cyprus pink slip (temporary residence permit) must acquire health insurance for foreigners.
The pink slip is an official document that allows non-EU citizens to live legally in Cyprus for over three months.
Before applying for a pink slip, these citizens must acquire an entry visa that defines their purpose of travel. Entry visas include visas for visitors, students, workers, and immigrants.
See our article to read more about this immigration process, how to acquire a visa, and the correct immigration insurance.
Yellow Slip Insurance in Cyprus
European nationals must apply for a registration certificate to reside and work legally in Cyprus.
This registration certificate is known as the yellow slip. Most applicants of the Cyprus yellow slip should look into buying immigration medical insurance.
This certificate is available to all EU citizens who want to extend their stay in the Republic of Cyprus for specific reasons, such as looking for work and searching for somewhere to live.
See our article to read more about acquiring this certificate and what insurance you will need in the process.
Work Permit Insurance in Cyprus
All non-European nationals who want to work in Cyprus must undergo the process of acquiring a work permit.
During the application process, non-EU citizens must obtain a work visa before acquiring a work permit. See our article here for more information about how the work visa works in Cyprus.
Those who obtain a work permit in Cyprus should also buy medical insurance for foreigners.
All applicants of the Cyprus work permit must have annual medical insurance. Read our article about work permits in Cyprus to find out more.
Pitsas Insurances provides all types of health insurance for foreigners at the lowest price.
Immigration insurance FAQ
We will cover frequently asked questions about immigration insurance below.
What documents do I need for immigration insurance coverage?
The only documents you need are the following:
- A copy of your passport (and family members, if applicable).
- A utility bill as evidence of your address in Cyprus.
The application process can take place quickly online, and you won’t need to provide medical records.
Do I need to acquire immigration insurance if I employ a maid?
If you employ a maid to clean your home, you should acquire both immigration and employers liability insurance. See more about insurance for employers here.
We provide discounted plans dedicated to immigration and employers liability insurance.
Communicate with Pitsas Insurances to receive both insurance types at the lowest rate.
Will my international medical insurance be accepted by the Cyprus immigration authorities?
The Cypriot immigration authorities only accept one form of immigration health insurance.
Therefore, all insurance companies in Cyprus sell contracts with identical terms.
Due to this legality, the selling price is the only difference between insurance companies.
I already work in Cyprus. Do I still need health insurance for foreigners?
Check with your legal advisor whether you need health insurance for foreigners if you’re already working in Cyprus.
Some workers might only be required to acquire immigration insurance to cover body repatriation expenses.
Pitsas Insurances provide all insurance options at the lowest premium.
How long does my immigration coverage last?
In most cases, immigration health insurance lasts for one year.
When should my coverage begin?
Preplan your immigration insurance coverage to begin on the same day you go to the immigration services for your appointment.
It is best to ensure you’re fully covered from the day you start this process.
After I acquire permanent residency, should I renew my immigration health insurance?
As long as you are not registered in GESY in Cyprus, you must renew your health insurance.
Even if you get registered with the GESY, you should buy body repatriation coverage at a minimum.
In addition, if you undergo a permanent residency regime as an investor, you will be checked annually to determine if you are abiding by the criteria to retain permanent residency.
Possessing valid medical insurance for foreigners is one of the criteria for maintaining your right to remain in the country.
Can I purchase comprehensive health insurance when my immigration policy expires?
You must renew immigration insurance as a foreign national while you remain in Cyprus and are not registered in the GESY.
This is not a requirement if you acquire Cypriot citizenship.
You can carry both contracts at once, and both contracts are affordable enough to carry simultaneously.
To receive a comprehensive medical insurance quote, complete our questionnaire. The process takes only a few minutes.
Further discounts are an added benefit of acquiring affordable insurance with us.
We provide all of our immigration health insurance clients generous discounts for every other insurance policy they acquire with us.
Foreigners health insurance cost
How much is foreigners health insurance in Cyprus?
The cost of medical insurance for foreigners is dependent on a few factors, such as:
- Occupation in Cyprus. Occupation abroad is not significant.
- The age of the applicant (and family members if applicable).
Unlike standard health insurance products, the medical history of the applicant does not affect the cost of insurance.
Minimum cost of immigration insurance in Cyprus
The minimum premium of health insurance for foreigners is €120.
The average cost of health insurance for foreigners is €165.
The cost of insurance is higher than the average for:
- Adults over 65 years of age.
- Children under 14 years of age.
- Manual-labour foreign workers and specific professionals.
Best foreigners health insurance
As mentioned, the terms and conditions of immigration insurance are identical in Cyprus, and the price is the only difference between contracts.
Pitsas Insurances provides immigration contracts at the lowest premium and with multiple discounts for our existing clients.
Thanks to our discounts, low premiums, consistent claim satisfaction ratios, and our underwriter’s expertise, we are a top-rated insurance provider in Cyprus.
Pitsas Insurances can find you the best health insurance for foreigners.
Online foreigners health insurance
Communicate with us today to receive a free quotation online. You can have an offer within a few minutes and a contract after only 15 minutes.
The whole process of buying immigration insurance can be done online, and there’s no need to show up at our office.
Your insurance policy will be sent to you electronically via email.
Affordable foreigners health insurance quotes
Pitsas Insurances prides itself on providing cheap immigration insurance in Cyprus.
If you are looking for cheap medical insurance for foreigners in Cyprus, our premiums start from only €120.
Beneficially, we also provide special plans for companies and families.
Affordable medical insurance for immigration (in Cyprus)
All of our clients who acquire immigration insurance are treated to a 10% discount on motor insurance and 15% on home insurance.
Foreigners health insurance quotes
Pitsas Insurances is the largest insurer of expatriates in Cyprus and the most significant group health insurance provider.
Specifically, we are a trusted group health insurance provider for international companies and provide discounts and deals for all of them.
Health insurance for immigration (in Cyprus)
Visit our website to learn more about our immigration packages.
Communicate with Pitsas Insurances to receive a personalised quote for you and your whole family or employees.
If you have any questions, you can find our contact details here.
Pitsas Insurances Team