Healthcare in North Cyprus: a guide for expats
You will have state and private hospitals close by. Here is how the system works for expats, what insurance costs and what to do in an emergency.
Short answer
North Cyprus has a state hospital in each main region and many private hospitals and clinics. Emergency (A&E) care is free for anyone: call 112 for an ambulance. Most expats use private care with private health insurance, roughly €80–150 a month under 50 and €150–300 from 60. Health insurance is also needed for a residence permit. UK GHIC and EU EHIC cards do not work in the north.
How healthcare works in North Cyprus
State hospitals mainly serve locals with social insurance. Expats usually use private hospitals, and A&E is free for everyone.
Hospitals near you
| Area | State hospital | Private hospitals (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Kyrenia (Girne) and villages | Dr. Akçiçek State Hospital, Kyrenia | Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital, British Medical Hospital, Kamiloğlu Hospital, Medical Port Tunççevik Hospital |
| Nicosia (Lefkoşa) | Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital, the largest | Near East University Hospital, Cyprus Life Hospital, Etik Hospital, Özel Başkent Hospital, NİS Hospital |
| Famagusta and Iskele | Famagusta State Hospital | Famagusta Life Hospital, NİS Hospital Famagusta, Cyprus Central Hospital |
| Güzelyurt and Lefke | Cengiz Topel Hospital, Lefke | Clinics in town; larger private hospitals in Nicosia |
State or private: what is the difference?
| What changes | State hospitals | Private hospitals |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses them | Mainly locals with social insurance. A&E is free for anyone | Most expats, with private insurance or paying directly |
| Cost | Low, but non-insured foreigners usually pay | Higher, but often cheaper than in the UK or EU |
| Waiting times | Can be long for non-urgent care | Usually short |
| English | Varies | Widely spoken, especially in the bigger hospitals |
| Best for | Emergencies | Planned care, check-ups and specialists |
Important: UK GHIC and EU EHIC cards are not valid in North Cyprus, and the south's GESY system does not cover the north. Make sure your own insurance does.
Your healthcare set-up
Choose where you will live and who needs cover. See your nearest hospitals and a monthly insurance estimate.
Insurance prices are 2026 averages: about €80–150 a month under 50 and €150–300 at 60+. The 50–59 band is our estimate between the two. Your quote depends on cover and health history.
Set up your healthcare in 7 steps
Do these in your first weeks. Most take less than an hour.
Save the emergency numbers
112 ambulance, 155 police, 199 fire. Add your nearest A&E to your phone map.
Day 1Choose private health insurance
Compare cover, hospital list and age limits. You need a policy for your residence permit.
Week 1Find a doctor you like
Many expats use a private family doctor or clinic close to home.
Week 1–2Find your pharmacy
Pharmacies (eczane) are in every town, and a duty pharmacy is open at night and on holidays.
Week 1Bring your medical records
Bring prescriptions and recent records, ideally translated, so your new doctor can help fast.
Before you moveCheck your medicines
Ask a pharmacy if your regular medicines are available here, or plan a supply.
Before you movePlan for bigger treatment
For complex care, some people travel to Türkiye or abroad. Check your insurance covers it.
When you buy cover
Settle in with people who know the island
Our teams live in Kyrenia, Iskele and Lefkoşa. We help you find a home near the care you need, and get set up after you move.
- 24+years selling homes across North Cyprus
- ≈1,000homes: the biggest portfolio in North Cyprus
- 3area teams: Kyrenia, Iskele and Lefkoşa
- 1rule: integrity first, your protection always
A home near good care
We show you how close each home is to hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
Insurance for residency
We explain what cover the immigration office asks for, so your permit is not delayed.
Paperwork handled
Our conveyancing team builds health papers into your residency file.
Help after you move
Utilities, bank and residency renewals. We are still here after the keys.
Our in-house conveyancing department
Our own conveyancing team handles the paperwork for every buyer, whether you are Turkish Cypriot, Turkish or foreign: contract registration, the PTP application, tax payments, the title deed transfer, utilities and residence permits. They work hand in hand with your independent lawyer, so nothing is missed.
Questions buyers ask us
Emergency (A&E) care at state hospitals is free for anyone. Other state care is mainly for locals with social insurance, so most expats use private hospitals with private health insurance.
No. These cards are not valid in the north, and the south's GESY system does not cover it. You need your own health insurance.
Roughly €80–150 a month for adults under 50 and €150–300 for people over 60, depending on the cover and your health history.
Yes. A valid health insurance policy is part of the residence permit file.
112 for an ambulance, 155 for the police and 199 for the fire service.
In the bigger private hospitals, many doctors and staff speak English. In smaller clinics and state hospitals it varies.
The largest state hospital is Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu in Nicosia. Large private hospitals include Near East University Hospital in Nicosia and the University of Kyrenia Hospital.
More guides
All guidesBuying
Legal, tax and title deeds
Living here
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. North Cyprus rules change often. Figures are correct to the best of our knowledge on 10 October 2026. Always check with an independent lawyer before you sign or pay.
Want a home close to good healthcare?
Tell us what matters to you. We will show you homes near hospitals and clinics and help you get set up after you move.