Private hospitals in Cyprus close beds amid worsening nursing shortage

Private hospitals across Cyprus, particularly in Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca, have been forced to close beds and postpone surgical procedures due to a severe, long-term shortage of nursing staff. Giorgos Pantelides, president of the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB), stated that at least 50 beds have become unavailable, with some facilities forced to idle entire departments or cancel critical surgeries due to a lack of ICU capacity. A study by professor Giannis Yfantopoulos estimates a deficit of 586 nurses for 2025, a figure projected to remain significant through 2030.

In response to this crisis, the Health Ministry has proposed legislative amendments to allow the hiring of nurses from non-EU countries. The government's plan includes a 10 percent cap on foreign nursing staff per unit, language requirements, and restrictions on senior roles. However, the proposal faces strong opposition from the nurses' union PASYNO, which warns that the policy prioritizes cheap labor over professional standards, threatens local employment, and risks compromising patient safety.

The parliamentary Health Committee convened on October 15 but concluded without making progress on the bills. The discussion, which was previously stalled in March, remains contentious as unions and employer associations trade accusations regarding working conditions and the integrity of the proposed recruitment measures. The committee is expected to revisit the legislation at a future session.