Newsroom
Parliament has approved amendments to the legislation governing the registration of doctors, introducing a series of changes aimed at improving oversight, modernizing procedures, and supporting the country’s growing focus on medical tourism.
The revised law was passed by the plenary with 26 votes in favor and 13 abstentions. Among its main provisions are updates to how the Cyprus Medical Council operates, including new rules for conducting meetings and longer terms of office for its president and members. The changes also introduce stricter requirements for proficiency in the Greek language for those wishing to practice medicine in the country.
The amendments further expand the authority of the Medical Council, particularly in investigating cases of professional misconduct. They also revise how registration fees are collected and increase the penalties that may be imposed in disciplinary cases.
During parliamentary discussions, officials discussed that the reforms are intended to address inefficiencies that have limited the Council’s effectiveness. They are also expected to ease the workload of KYSATS, the body responsible for recognizing academic qualifications.
One of the more debated elements concerns how returning Cypriot doctors trained or employed abroad are treated. Lawmakers noted that, under existing rules, experienced professionals could not be registered unless they passed additional examinations. The new provisions aim to correct this imbalance while still maintaining standards.
The legislation also gives the Medical Council discretion to revoke a doctor’s registration when necessary, even in situations not explicitly covered by current law. This was presented as a safeguard for public health, with reference to cases where medical professionals promote harmful or misleading advice.
In addition, the law creates a framework allowing doctors from non-EU countries to provide services specifically to foreign patients in Cyprus. This move is expected to benefit private healthcare providers and aligns with government efforts to expand the medical tourism sector.
Finally, amendments introduced at committee level clarify that the government may remove members of the Medical Council only for serious reasons directly linked to their duties, narrowing what had previously been a more open-ended power.
