Cyprus doctors trapped by Brexit as UK qualifications go unrecognised

Local britaindoctorshealthTop News Cyprus doctors trapped by Brexit as UK qualifications go unrecognised Health Insurance Organisation Orders Ghs Review Relevant News Cyprus doctors trapped by Brexit as UK qualifications go unrecognised 2 September 2026 Seven stops through Cyprus’s history, from Troodos to the coast 2 September 2026 The Freehouse: a spritzeria in Limassol’s old town 2 September 2026 Marilena Panayi 2 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Two Cypriot doctors trained in the UK say they are trapped there by Brexit, unable to return home and work as personal doctors under the GHS because their British general practice qualification is not recognised in Cyprus. A parliamentary proposal to address the issue was rejected earlier this year, and the Cyprus Medical Association says the matter remains unresolved. The couple, both doctors, have obtained their qualifications and specialist titles in the UK, where they trained and received the necessary certification. However, general practice training in the UK takes three years, compared with four in the EU, and because Cyprus has not updated its procedures, their qualifications cannot be recognised. As a result, they can work without restriction as independent GP specialists in the UK, but cannot return to their home country to treat Cypriot patients. The doctors say other European countries, including Greece, have introduced specific arrangements recognising the three-year specialisations obtained in the UK since Brexit through a defined pathway. The two doctors are registered on the Cyprus medical register, but as “unspecialised,” which makes it impossible for them to join the GHS as personal doctors. General practice is one of the specialisations personal doctors under the GHS are required to hold. They say they have made several attempts to resolve the problem so far, without finding a solution, and argue that other Cypriot doctors who have obtained or will obtain specialist qualifications in the UK are, or will find themselves, in the same position. In a letter to the Federation of Cyprus Patients’ Associations, the doctors wrote: “We are asking for the Cypriot framework to be modernised, so that a specialist qualification obtained through complete, certified training in the United Kingdom can be assessed and recognised in a clear, fair and predictable way, as is already being attempted in other European countries, particularly Greece. We believe this issue does not concern only us. Today, it concerns two general practitioners. Tomorrow, it may concern Cypriot doctors of other specialisations who complete their training in the United Kingdom and have to decide whether it is worth returning to Cyprus, or whether it is easier to continue their careers abroad.” The issue of Cypriot doctors trapped in the UK was also raised last spring with the parliamentary Health Committee, which discussed a specific legislative proposal. The content of the proposal was rejected, however, after representatives of the relevant bodies informed the committee that this group of doctors had been given the option of completing a further year of specialist training at a hospital in Cyprus and reapplying for the relevant certificate. Some doctors have already followed this route, while others left the UK immediately after Brexit and completed their training to obtain specialist qualifications in other EU member states or in Cyprus. During the parliamentary debate last March, it was noted that automatically recognising only UK specialist qualifications, and not those from other, non-EU countries, could work against Cypriot doctors trained elsewhere outside the European Union. In any case, the issue remains unresolved. Cyprus Medical Association President Petros Agathangelou told “F” that Brexit “isn’t limited to just these two doctors, or to Cypriot doctors who want to return home, but also affects British doctors who move within the European Union. Distinguished British scientists are facing the effects of Brexit, and this is perhaps something we now need to look at on a European level.” Speaking for the Cyprus Medical Association, he added that the organisation was “certainly aware” of the issue and would work with the Cyprus Medical Council to look again for solutions. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Seven stops through Cyprus’s history, from Troodos to the coast The Freehouse: a spritzeria in Limassol’s old town Clear skies and a 39 degree peak on Wednesday Himalayas face severe glacial flood risks in years ahead, UN official warns UK summer was hottest on record, Met Office says, after severe heat, drought UK to unveil ‘comprehensive’ response to Israeli West Bank settlement plans in coming weeks Kyrenia shipwreck: object found at 550 metres believed to be sunken ferry, Erhurman says Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.