Mind the ‘Gap’

When you receive international protection, you might find yourself in the ‘gap period’. You will not be able to renew your medical card (because you are not an asylum seeker any more) and you will not be able to register in GESY yet (because you need your residence permit card to do so). 

How can you access medical care then? If you have been in employment for 3 years or more, or you are unemployed, you can apply for a medical card type 05.  When accompanied by a letter from GESY for non-beneficiaries of GESY, it gives the holder of the card access to medical care in state health services at 3-6 euros per service. 

Note: Medical card type 05 can be used by GESY beneficiaries for dental services only. 

You can apply for the 05 medical card at the Ministry of Health. If you have a serious condition, you can ask for a medical card from Citizen Service Office, provided you have a relevant doctor’s note. Either way, you will need: 

• the application (here)
• your Asylum Service Decision
• your labor card (if not working) or a statement of Social Insurance contributions for the past 3 years (if you have been working)

You apply for a letter from GESY by sending an email to info@gesy.org.cy or it can be submitted in person at the GESY office (17-19 Klimentos Str., Ayios Antonios, Nicosia).

For the GESY letter, you will be required to provide the following:  

• the completed GESY application (application | example of completed application), one for each member of the family
• a copy of your 05 medical card
• your Asylum Service Decision
• ARCs (Alien Registration Certificates for each member of the family)
• receipts from the Migration/Immigration Department that you applied for residence permits for each member of the family

Good luck! If you need assistance, contact our Help Line to make an appointment.

Clipart Credit: Freepik