Cyprus is an independent sovereign Republic with a presidential system of government. Under the 1960 Constitution, executive power is exercised by the President of the Republic, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term of office. The President exercises executive power through a Council of Ministers appointed by him. Ministers may be chosen from outside the House of Representatives.

Cyprus is a member of the United Nations and U.N. Agencies. It is also a member of the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and many other international Organisations.
Following the signing of the EU Enlargement Treaty in Athens on April 16, 2003 and its subsequent ratification by the Cypriot House of Representatives, Cyprus officially joined the EU on May 01, 2004.

Legislature

The legislative authority in the Republic is exercised by the House of Representatives now consisting of eighty members (56 of whom are to be Greek Cypriots and 24 Turkish Cypriots) elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term. At the time of its establishment, the House consisted of 50 members, 35 of whom were to be Greek Cypriots and 15 Turkish Cypriots. According to the constitution the ratio is 70% Greek Cypriots and 30% Turkish Cypriots. Following the withdrawal of the Turkish Cypriot members, the House has been functioning only with the Greek Cypriot members.

Judiciary

The administration of justice is exercised by the island’s separate and independent Judiciary. Under the 1960 Constitution and other legislation in force, the following judicial institutions have been established: The Supreme Court of the Republic, The Assize Courts, District Courts, Military Court, Industrial Disputes Court, Rent Control Courts and Family Courts. The Supreme Courts is the final appellate court in the Republic and the final adjudicator in matters of constitutional and administrative law.

Health & Safety / Inoculations

Medical Services and Hospitals Dialysis Units
Medical care-needs in Cyprus are met through:
1. Government General Hospitals
2. Private Clinics/Hospitals

Government General Hospitals and Private clinics/hospitals are mostly concentrated in urban areas, while health centres, sub centres, and dispensaries function in the rural areas, providing a network to meet the medical needs of the whole population.

All Government General Hospitals as well as some private clinics have Accident and Emergency Departments for emergency cases. (See also title “Emergencies”).
Medical treatment and assistance is offered free of charge to international tourists in case of health emergencies at the Accident and Emergency Department of Government Hospitals/Institutions. Out-patient and in-patient treatment is provided against payment of the prescribed fees, except for  EU citizens who produce form E111, issued by their country's health care authorities.
Holiday-makers can also make use of their health insurance, which covers medical expenses, provided that this insurance covers the length of their stay on the island.

Almost all brands of manufactured medicines are available in Cyprus. Local newspapers list pharmacies which are open during the night and on weekends/holidays, as well as the names of doctors who are on call on weekends/holidays.

Information on private doctors on call on weekends / holidays is given by the following telephone numbers:
Lefkosia: 90901422 Pafos: 90901426
Lemesos: 90901425 Ammochostos: 90901423
Larnaca: 90901424

Most hotels make arrangements for Medical services for their guests upon request.
The majority of doctors are English speaking.
Private doctors’ visiting hours (on weekdays): 09:00-13:00 hrs and 16:00-19:00 hrs.

FOOD SAFETY AND DRINKING WATER QUALITY

In Cyprus the safety of food and drinking water quality is monitored by the Health Inspectors of the Medical and Public Services of the Ministry of Health and the Local Authorities. Food and drinking water are of high quality, absolutely safe and no food or water-bore diseases occur.

Water is safe to drink in Cyprus, as water pollution is negligible and every home has fresh running drinking-water.
All the District Water Boards are in constant collaboration with the Government Health Services and the General Laboratory for the prevention of any toxicological and bacteriological infection of water in Cyprus.
Tap-water in hotels, restaurants, public premises, etc., is safe to drink.

Cyprus is also free from dangerous infectious diseases. No vaccination requirements for any International Traveller.

DRUGS - PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES - NARCOTICS

According to Cypriot Law, the Importation, Possession and Use of Narcotic Drugs and  Psychotropic Substances, is strictly prohibited.

Health Food Stores with a wide range of high quality health food and health-care products and cosmetics are to be found in almost all towns. Furthermore various health food items and health-care products are found in Pharmacies and also in large supermarkets, all over the island.

The above information has been provided by the Cyprus Tourist Organisation.