Medical insurance in Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus is constantly visited by numerous tourists from different countries. Favorable climate, warm and clean sea, many opportunities related to real estate acquisition and ease of obtaining residency permit attract many foreigners. Whether you are planning a vacation or permanent residence here, the first thing to be taken care of is your health!

Insurance coverage used for EU countries is not valid in Northern Cyprus, so when applying for insurance, one should clarify whether this region is covered by insurance policy. Moreover, according to the current country entry requirements, insurance is not mandatory. However, it is impossible to predict everything, and a sudden illness or injury can mar your stay on the sunny island. It is not advisable to skimp on purchasing insurance. Without insurance, medical costs for foreigners are noticeably higher.

How to use insurance?

In case of an insurance-covered event, contact your insurance company immediately.

Holders of a temporary residence permit in Northern Cyprus, automatically obtain medical insurance. Thus, they can get in-patient treatment in public hospitals for free. If there is a need for treatment in a private hospital, insurance options can be expanded or paid for separately.

Urgent medical assistance in Northern Cyprus in case of injury, acute illness, or accident will be provided. Without insurance, all expenses, which can be significant, will be borne by a patient.

What does health insurance cover?

Emergency treatment: the policy covers the cost of emergency treatment and transportation to a medical facility in case of an emergency situation.
Urgent care: the policy provides coverage for costs of urgent medical care, including inpatient and outpatient care.
Dental care: in case of severe dental pain, the insurance will cover the costs of emergency dental care.
Repatriation: if a medical condition necessitates repatriation, the insurance will cover the expenses.
Repatriation in case of death: in the worst-case scenario, the insurance will cover the costs of repatriation.

An extended medical policy may include coverage for additional risks such as:

insurance for sports activities. Injuries sustained while surfing, diving and even in water parks are often not covered by a standard package. A policyholder may be faced with a situation where treatment of a broken arm sustained while bike riding, for example, can cost a fortune. Additional payment for an enhanced insurance is small, but free medical care and treatment of injuries are guaranteed.
Treatment for sunburns requiring medical attention often comes at an additional charge and is not included in the standard package.

Keep in mind that, according to international rules, insurance reimbursement for medical expenses will not be provided if an injury or illness is a result of alcohol or substance abuse!

How and where to obtain medical insurance policy?

Medical insurance policies can be obtained at offices of insurance companies or online. It should be noted that not all insurance companies provide coverage for Northern Cyprus. If the policy only mentions Cyprus, it may only be valid for the southern part of the island. This detail should be clarified before obtaining insurance.

What to do in case of an insurance event?

In case of illness or injury requiring urgent assistance, a person should inform the insurance company’s representatives immediately. Subsequently, a specialist will process the claim, select a clinic, arrange transport for the patient, and provide consultation services to the insured, remaining in communication.

All documents, medical bills, prescriptions, and discharge summaries should be kept for future submission to your insurance company. This will help prove the provision of medical care, its extent, and cost.