Cyprus has transitioned from a dual public-private healthcare model with high out-of-pocket costs to a universal General Healthcare System (GHS) that covers most residents for everyday medical needs. The GHS centralizes funding and contracts both public and private providers, ensuring treatment based on health needs rather than ability to pay.

Under the GHS, each adult selects a Personal Doctor who manages referrals to specialists and diagnostics, with a nationwide electronic prescription system facilitating medication dispensing. Co-payments are minimal, capped annually to protect low-income and vulnerable groups from excessive costs.

Citizens and legal residents, including EU nationals and certain non-EU categories, must register online and enroll with a Personal Doctor to access the system. Non-EU visitors, international students, and asylum seekers have specific access rules, often requiring private insurance or state-provided emergency care outside the GHS framework.