The new system of supervision of imaging centers in Cyprus is being implemented, with the Ministry of Health calling on the affected providers to proceed with securing the prescribed licenses.
The procedure is activated under the Imaging Centers (Establishment, Operation and Control) Law of 2026 and concerns the issuance of an establishment license, an operating license or both, depending on the condition of each unit.
The new regime covers both private and public centres that provide medical imaging services, regardless of whether they are housed in stand-alone facilities or operate within a hospital.
The relevant forms, along with all necessary certificates and supporting documents, must be delivered in person to the Ministry of Health.
What applies to units that were already in operation
The law does not provide for the immediate closure of existing centers. Those who legally provided imaging services on the date of entry into force of the new framework can continue their operation for a period of up to 18 months.
To take advantage of this transitional possibility, they must apply for the required permits within six months of the entry into force of the law and prove that they were already active in this sector.
If an existing centre is objectively unable to adapt its building facilities immediately, the Ministry may, after assessing the case, grant a compliance period of up to ten years.
The facility is not provided automatically, but must be explicitly included in the operating license.
Which spaces are considered imaging centers?
The new framework includes appropriately equipped units that use imaging technologies to diagnose and, in some cases, treat diseases.
These include radiology centers and nuclear medicine units. Each licensed unit will be registered in a special register kept by the Ministry of Health.
Scientific responsibility for radiology services is assigned to a radiologist, while nuclear medicine services require a nuclear doctor. At the same time, a person must be appointed administratively responsible for the lawful organization, staffing and operation of the unit.
Which services are left out
The legislation provides for specific exceptions to the obligation to operate as a licensed imaging center.
Among them are ultrasounds performed by a doctor exclusively for the diagnosis or treatment of his own patients, as well as imaging operations performed in an operating room during surgery.
The use of an orthopantograph by a registered dentist for patients he examines or treats is also excluded.
Controls and safeguards
The Ministry acquires the possibility to carry out inspections through authorized inspectors, examining the facilities, equipment, qualifications of the staff and the conditions of service provision.
The framework includes, among other things, requirements for the quality of examinations, radiation protection, scientific supervision, record-keeping and access for persons with disabilities.
It is also forbidden to provide financial or other incentives to doctors for the purpose of referring patients for imaging tests.
Administrative fines from €2,000
In the event of a violation, the competent authority may impose an administrative fine of €2,000 to €20,000 for each violation. Before it is enforced, the center is informed of the problems identified and receives a 30-day deadline to comply.
More serious consequences are foreseen when a center operates without a license. This offence is a criminal offence and, following a conviction, can result in imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to €70,000 or a combination of the two.
The licence can still be revoked and the centre removed from the official register if serious or repeated infringements are found.
