Cyprus-Forum.com

[Robin Hood]

Cypriot friends who are in receipt of a Cypriot pension have said that they are having the GESY 2.65% contribution deducted from their pensions.

My pension comes in monthly from the UK so, I went to the Citizens Advice Centre to find out how I make my contribution. I have the white card and still receive treatment but it would be bad news if I found out it had been cancelled because I had made no contributions.

The advice I was given was that :

“You don’t need to pay as the UK Government pay it for you!”.

I know there is currently a reciprocal agreement between Cyprus and the UK and by this information it appears that will continue.

If the UK pays a lump sum for every UK citizen living in Cyprus who is entitled to NHS health care, could it be that this is a greater sum than the Cypriot Government would get if those living here and wishing to use the GESY system, paid their 2.65% and the UK NHS contribution ceased? Many Brits I know living here do not use the Cyprus medical system but prefer to go private so they would not pay the 2.65% of their income.

I have, as yet, not found a comprehensive explanation in English as to how the system will work and there also appears to be the same confusion among Cypriots. Does anyone know where this information can be seen in writing? I have been told not to worry as nothing will change ..... but I have seen very little in writing.

[B25]

"I have, as yet, not found a comprehensive explanation in English as to how the system will work and there also appears to be the same confusion among Cypriots. "

Mate, the Government itself doesn't know how this system will work, it is a bodge of a job and I think it is doomed to fail from day 1. I hope I am wrong, but with so much lack of information about this whole thing they are just dead set on taking peoples money as an excuse.

There is nothing in English AND nothing in Greek that really explains this so called system. Good Luck.

[Sotos]

Some info can be found here: https://www.gesy.org.cy/ Click on the flag at the top to get the English version, from what I can tell all info is provided in both languages.

If the UK pays a lump sum for every UK citizen living in Cyprus who is entitled to NHS health care, could it be that this is a greater sum than the Cypriot Government would get if those living here and wishing to use the GESY system, paid their 2.65% and the UK NHS contribution ceased? Many Brits I know living here do not use the Cyprus medical system but prefer to go private so they would not pay the 2.65% of their income.

For Cypriots it doesn't matter if you wish to use Gesy or not, you have to pay. So if the UK government stops paying for UK citizens then I suspect all British residents of Cyprus will have to pay for Gesy.