Cyprus faces a nursing shortage. Four private hospitals have reduced their bed capacity.

A shortage of nurses in Cyprus has forced four large private hospitals operating in GESY to reduce the number of available beds, reports Philenews. According to an employer representative, one facility has closed an entire ward, while others have closed at least a dozen beds. The problem affects hospitals in Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca.

On Thursday, October 15, the Parliamentary Health Committee is to return to the proposal to employ nursing staff from non-EU countries. Employers are criticizing the planned limit on such workers and the language requirements. They warn that further staffing shortages could hinder patient admissions and elective surgeries.

The shortage of nurses in Cyprus limits the availability of beds.

Giorgos Pantelidis, president of the Federation of Employers and Industrialists OEB, told the Phileleftheros daily that private hospitals cannot use all their places without ensuring the staffing required by law.

The problem is not just a lack of rooms or equipment. A bed may be physically available, but without the appropriate number of nurses, another patient cannot be admitted.

According to Pantelidis, one facility had to close an entire ward. Others reduced capacity by double digits. The publication did not specify the names of the hospitals or the total number of beds closed.

Hospitals want to avoid postponing surgeries

The OEB representative emphasized that facilities are trying to prevent the cancellation of procedures and the limitation or postponement of admissions.

This is a warning about possible further consequences. This does not constitute confirmation that all the hospitals described are already postponing surgeries. The problem confirmed in the report is the limited number of available beds due to insufficient staffing.

According to employers, staffing challenges persist in the private hospital sector for the third consecutive year. The scale of the problem in individual facilities may vary depending on staff availability.

Recruitment from outside the EU is intended to help fill the gaps

The Health Committee has two draft amendments regarding the employment of nurses and midwives from third countries, i.e. from outside the European Union.

Proposals include, among others: a limit of 10 percent of the nursing and midwifery staff of a given facilityWith a hundred such employees, the hospital could employ ten from third countries.

The OEB considers this threshold too low. Pantelidis argues that the proposed solution will not be sufficient to quickly address the shortcomings.

This is the employers' position. The final shape of the regulations will depend on further parliamentary work.

Projects in parliament

What conditions are proposed for non-EU staff?

Employment limit

Maximum 10% of the total number of nurses and midwives in a given facility.

Knowledge of Greek

Language proficiency is required according to the European scale. This level is one of the points of contention.

Scope of duties and license

Without the ability to manage change, the right to practice a profession for third-country nationals would be valid for two years.

These are the proposals described in the report from October 13, 2026, and not the new rules announced. The limit does not automatically apply to all foreign workers, including Polish citizens.

Dispute over required level of Greek

Pantelidis referred to the possibility of requiring Greek language at a level B2In his opinion, such a condition could significantly delay recruitment.

The report presenting the projects, however, mentions at least moderate knowledge of Greek according to the European language level system. Therefore, B2 should be presented as a matter of debate, not a definitive requirement.

Employers declare that language proficiency is necessary. However, they question the level, which they believe would make it difficult to quickly hire additional staff.

Staffing problems also in public institutions

Staff shortages aren't limited to private hospitals. We previously reported on the situation at the public hospital in Larnaca, where nurses reported overload and patient waiting times.

This is a separate issue, but it shows that bed availability also depends on the number of staff available to provide care.

Cyprus nursing shortage returns to parliament

Previous discussions on the changes were inconclusive. According to the publication, in April the commission postponed further work, citing the pre-election period and opposition from trade unions.

Meeting scheduled for October 15 is to show whether it will be possible to agree on the terms of recruitment from third countries.

For patients, the practical outcome will be important: replenishing staff and restoring bed availability. The adoption of the regulations alone does not mean immediate staffing or the reactivation of all disabled beds.

Sources: Philenews, Federation of Employers and Industrialists OEB.