in-cyprus 6 May 2025 - by Marilena Panayi
Cyprus will begin gradually connecting its citizens’ health data with the healthcare systems of 16 other EU member states starting next week, enabling cross-border access to medical information and electronic prescriptions.
Health Minister Michalis Damianos is scheduled to officially announce the launch of the cross-border electronic connection and the procedures to be followed on May 16, though the electronic platform has already been activated on a trial basis for final testing by the competent National eHealth Authority in Cyprus.
In the initial phase, the electronic health record, which will gradually become accessible to authorised healthcare professionals in the other 16 member states, will include a summary of patients’ medical history and enable the dispensing of prescription medications abroad.
Cypriot citizens travelling to other connected EU countries will be able to fill prescriptions issued electronically by their doctor in Cyprus at local pharmacies participating in those countries’ health systems.
Similarly, if a Cypriot citizen requires healthcare services while in another EU country, providers there will have access to their medical history to assess their general health status.
The capabilities will progressively expand to include additional data such as demographic information, medical history, diagnoses, laboratory and other test results, surgical procedures, and medication.
Citizens from other member states will have the same rights and capabilities when visiting Cyprus.
The final content of the health record will be determined by the European Xt-HER Programme, which Cyprus is coordinating among other EU members.
This process is expected to be completed by April 2026, with the final content of the file to be delivered to member states during the Cypriot Presidency.
The connection of Cypriot citizens’ data with the electronic systems of other countries will occur gradually and country-by-country.
Once interconnection between two countries is achieved, an application will be submitted to the Digital Security Authority for final approval and operation. Greece is expected to be among the first countries with which Cyprus will connect.
Last summer, Cyprus began training doctors and pharmacists on the proper use of the cross-border medical data exchange portal through the “gov.cy” platform to ensure a smooth transition to the electronic programme.
