The standard and availability of medical care in North Cyprus is high and this always seems to be a pleasant surprise for visitors and expatriates.

There are a number of private clinics and hospitals as well as state run surgeries and emergency medical facilities; there are also care homes and a wide choice or well equipped dentist surgeries and opticians. Furthermore the cost of receiving medical treatment in Northern Cyprus is far from exorbitant.

From personal experience and also from the many, many tales told by fellow expatriates, tourists and locals alike, the treatment people have received in North Cyprus for every complaint from a seriously fractured elbow to cancer, from car crash injuries to emergency dental treatment the medical care in North Cyprus has been at least as good as ‘back home’, in some cases better, always far cheaper than expected and of a very high standard with excellent equipment used and qualified staff always available.

The main population centres of Gazi Magusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou) and Lefkosa (Nicosia) all have private and state run hospitals and these are the locations where you will find the majority of doctors, dentists, opticians and even alternative health care practitioners such as reflexologists, aromatherapists and reiki practitioners.

In an emergency the number to call for an ambulance in North Cyprus is 112, alternatively make your way to the nearest hospital or health care clinic for immediate treatment…no one will be refused emergency care whether they have the financial means to pay for it or not.

Health insurance is not compulsory in Northern Cyprus at the moment although the government have been discussing plans to implement a compulsory scheme, the proceeds from which would go to improve the medical facilities across the island.

Expatriate health insurance plans are available from many providers such as Bupa or American Express but the majority of those moving to North Cyprus find that the cost of the health insurance coupled with the excess they have to pay for each treatment received far exceeds the cost of any medical treatment they have each year and so they don’t bother taking out the insurance…it’s really a personal choice.

Useful contact numbers are: -

Ambulance – 112
Kyrenia Hospital - +90 392 815 2266
Nicosia Hospital - +90 392 228 5441
Famagusta Hospital - +90 392 366 2876
Guzelyurt Hospital - +90 392 714 2125

Pharmacies in North Cyprus are well known for selling almost every single prescription drug you can think of (and then some) over the counter! They also sell pills and potions for your four legged friends so that you can avoid vets visits for basic things such as flea and tick treatments. The cost of medicine is again far cheaper than you pay in the UK or Germany for example – as is the cost of having an eye test, getting glasses or having a dental check up.

On a final note, there are very limited numbers of nurses in Northern Cyprus because Turkish Cypriots are incredibly family orientated and if someone is hospitalised then it is expected that their family will take care of them and perform nursing duties such as changing bed linen, assisting with bathroom antics etc. For those moving to Northern Cyprus alone or with just their spouse this can sometimes seem like quite a daunting prospect to potentially face. Well, the expatriates here have even thought of that and there’s a network of friendly people who provide hospital and home help assistance should the need ever arise.