Emergencies in Limassol

Good to Know

• Save both 112 and 199 in your phone — either works and gets you to the same dispatchers, but 112 is the number most visitors will already know from elsewhere in the EU.
• 112 works even from a phone with no SIM card or credit, and the call is always free.
• Emergency operators in Cyprus speak English, so language is rarely a barrier when calling for help.
• For non-urgent police matters (e.g. filing a minor report), use the local police station number or the 1460 citizens' hotline rather than 112/199, so emergency lines stay clear for genuine emergencies.
• Download the SafeCY app before you need it — it's most useful for finding your nearest official shelter during wildfires, storms, or other civil emergencies.
• For any life-threatening emergency in Limassol, call 112 (the pan-European emergency number) for an ambulance rather than trying to get to a hospital yourself.
• Limassol General Hospital is the public option and accepts GESY-covered patients; if you're not registered in GESY or don't have a valid Confirmation Letter/medical card, you may be asked to pay a flat fee (reported around 100 euros) to see a doctor.
• Ygia Polyclinic and Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus are private but both are integrated into the GESY state health scheme, so GESY-registered patients (including some long-term residents) can use their A&E departments too.
• Online reviews of Limassol General Hospital's A&E are very mixed — some patients report long waits and understaffing, others report attentive, professional care; expect variable wait times, especially for non-critical complaints.
• If your case involves neurosurgery or certain paediatric ICU needs, Limassol General Hospital may stabilize and then transfer you to Nicosia, so factor in the possibility of an inter-city transfer for the most complex trauma cases.