S1 nedical cards.Renewing?

[Chaddy]

Our beloved S1 medical cards ( E121 ) are shortly to expire.
Can anyone help on how we go about getting them renewed.
Thanks in advance for any help.

[LouiseCastricum]

You have to make an appointment with the Citizens Bureau via number 22 309100 where you choose your location. For your appointment you need to bring your current card, passport and residency document.

[josef k]

I received my renewal card automatically, without me doing anything.

[Chaddy]

josef k Les Bean,thanks for you replies.But which way and how did you get your renewed S1,s.
Did you have to contact them before hand?
How long where you old S1,s valid before your new ones arrived.
Did they arrive by email,post,text,or any other device or gadget known to mankind.

Thanks again for any help

[Uncle D]

josef k Les Bean,thanks for you replies.But which way and how did you get your renewed S1,s.
Did you have to contact them before hand?
Thanks again for any help

They have both stated that they both received their S1 renewal cards "automatically"

[Tuppence]

We have E121 forms which were replaced by the S1 forms. The E121 forms do not have an expiry date. I would have thought as long as you are getting a UK state pension the S1 would be the same but I don’t know if things changed after Brexit.

[souniman]

they come by post

[josef k]

I think there may be some confusion here.
The S1 is issued by the UK government and is used as part of the GESY registration process. It has no expiry date and lasts as long as you do.
The medical card (usually white) is issued by the Cyprus health ministry and shows you are in GESY. It does have an expiry date and, when expiring, it's replacement arrives automatically.

[Chaddy]

Sorry josef but can you please explain to this knock kneed knackered old octogenarian....WHERE and HOW does the S1 " arrive automatically. Thanks.

[Polly]

By post.

[harveywinning]

We are confused - do we need to have medical cards? We have MUKW3 and are in Gesy

[trevnhil]

I am the same.. I am in Gesy and have not had a medical card for a number of years

[josef k]

Sorry josef but can you please explain to this knock kneed knackered old octogenarian....WHERE and HOW does the S1 " arrive automatically. Thanks.

The S1 does not arrive automatically. It is the document you apply for, from the UK, which you produce when applying for inclusion in GESY. It never expires so you just keep hold of it with all your other papers.

Regarding whether you should have the white medical card, the UK government advice to expats seems to sum it up,

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-cyprus

[jeba]

The medical card (usually white) is issued by the Cyprus health ministry and shows you are in GESY.

I received one even though I´m not enrolled in GESY. Not sure what it´s good for, though.

[galexinda]

There are two state healthcare systems in Cyprus:

1. General Health System (GHS/GESY)

2. State Healthcare Services Organisation (SHSO / OKYPY) SHSO

SHSO is a separate organisation to GESY and is one of the health service providers that cooperate with GHS (HIO), providing services to the beneficiaries of the General Health System of Cyprus and is the largest healthcare provider in Cyprus, with 9 hospitals and 37 health centers in all cities and districts, the Directorate of Mental Health and the Ambulance Service, offering comprehensive health services that cover the full range of needs of the population throughout Cyprus (Primary and Secondary Health Services)'.
https://shso.org.cy/en/synitheis-erotiseis/

In order to access certain services provided by the state hospitals it is necessary to show the White Medical Card in order to pay at a reduced cost.

Since GESY was introduced in 2019 I have had to show the white medical card as an in-patient and also on a more recent occasion when I had dental treatment at Paphos/Polis Hospital just to give two examples.

The contract terms for doctors working in GESY and at SHSO establishments is different and is often a topic for the local media.

I am not sure of the current procedure to obtain the white medical card as I have been in the system for many years.
Perhaps best to speak to your Personal Doctor or visit the Citizens Service Centre. It is free of charge and valid for 5 years.

[Chaddy]

Sorry josef,but as i type this i have my cherised S1 white card in front of me and at the bottom left hand side it clearly states that IT DOES expire on the 31st November.Mmmmm,or have i got something wrong.

[Tuppence]

Chaddy, I have just looked at our Cypriot white health card & yes it does say S1 (or in our case E121) on the same line as our name. Everything else is in Greek!!! On the front of the card, bottom left is Y.Y. (I.Y.) 91 & you should automatically get a new one sent to you when it expires. The UK S1 is NOT issued as a white card & is in English.

[josef k]

I believe you have. What I suspect you have in front of you is a Cyprus medical card. The S1 form is an A4 paper sheet you will have received from the UK.

[Chaddy]

I believe you have. What I suspect you have in front of you is a Cyprus medical card. The S1 form is an A4 paper sheet you will have received from the UK.

josef,oh dear you are right i stand to be corrected.So the S1 A4 sheet i have never had it ,not heard of it,not needed it ( so far ) and how do i get it.

[josef k]

This takes you through the process:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-cyprus#s1