Cyprus addresses state hospital nurse shortage with potential non-EU hiring

Cypriot Health Minister Neofytos Charalambides announced that state hospitals are facing a shortage of approximately 600 nurses. Addressing the parliamentary health committee, the minister emphasized that this deficiency compromises both patient safety and the working conditions of current staff. To mitigate the crisis, the ministry is considering hiring nursing staff from non-EU countries as a supplementary measure. This proposal would limit such recruitment to a maximum of 10 percent of personnel per facility. Candidates would be required to demonstrate proficiency in Greek and would be granted two-year work permits, with restrictions preventing them from holding shift supervisor positions. The minister clarified that these measures are not intended to replace local or EU nursing staff. He intends to initiate a dialogue with trade unions while the government proceeds with an official study for healthcare capacity planning.