Expert Info
on 9 Aug 2012
I copied this from the info on this site and it has added to my confusion no end.....i have been informed that if we plan tosettle in Cyprus at the ages we are (55 & 56) we would have to get private health insurance but would be covered by an E106 for a couple of years. as my other half has some pre exiting heart conditions, private insurance is obviously going to be expensive.....HELP 'Expats who are EU citizens and permanent residents in Cyprus are eligible for free state healthcare in Cyprus, but they must register for a medical card to take advantage of this care'.
What nationality are you? If you're an EU citizen you can make use of the public healthcare system in Greece, but if you're American you will need private insurance. The card is just a Medical Card that you register for in Greece to show to health practitioners that you are allowed to use the healthcare system.
I think the advice you're seeing to register for private healthcare is more of a backup plan / supplementary payment plan. Since you are a UK national you will have access to the Greek system.
The only thing is that the government has different tiers for users depending on qualifying factors like age, income, medical history, etc - in other words, with your age and your husband's pre-exisiting condition you probably won't get free care but will just be subsidised. (It also depends on your income).
That means it will be a good idea to have some medical insurance as well - even if it isn't the most expensive plan out there. If you want more specific examples of costs and such I suggest you contact the Ministry of Health in Cyprus directly at http://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/moh.nsf/index_en/index_en or take a look at some of their information brochures at http://www.moh.gov.cy/MOH/MOH.nsf/All/F8B5861FC3801B6C422579D7003EEFB8?OpenDocument to see whether you think you will need medical insurance as well and how extensive your coverage should be.