Our child studies abroad, we are moving, or we live here on a residence permit: what happens to our insurance?

It depends on three points of the policy: the area of cover, how long she may stay outside Cyprus, and the age limit for children. Some plans cover only Cyprus, or only emergencies abroad. Ask the insurer in writing before she leaves, and keep the answer.

The European card gives access to Greek public healthcare on the same terms as Greek residents. It does not cover private doctors or clinics, nor transport back to Cyprus. Many families keep the card and add private cover for the gaps. What you need depends on how you want your child to be looked after.

For an EU country, the European card is the base. Check what the host university asks for, and whether your family plan covers six months abroad. For repatriation or private care you usually need separate cover.

GESY is based on legal residence, but we could not confirm what applies to each type of permit. Ask the Health Insurance Organisation in writing, with your permit in front of you. For the permit itself, the Civil Registry and Migration Department says which health insurance it accepts. Until you have an answer, do not stay without cover.

It may not be. A travel policy is built for short trips, while the application may ask for specific cover for the whole stay. Ask the Civil Registry and Migration Department what is required before you pay.

For life insurance, the law allows information in another language if you ask for it (Article 227 of Law 38(I)/2016). The insurer may agree; it is not obliged to. Ask in writing which version is binding, and do not sign anything you have not understood.

Many life policies cover you anywhere, but some have conditions about the country of residence, certain regions or war. Read the exclusions and tell the insurer in writing before you move. Ask for written confirmation that the cover continues.

First ask whether the policies can continue with an address and an account abroad. Do not cancel before you have new cover, because a new application is judged on your age and health today. If it is a savings policy, ask in writing for the surrender value and what you would lose.

It depends on the policy and on the insurer itself. Some policies continue normally, others change or end when you move. Ask in writing before you go, and do not assume anything.

Usually: registering with GESY and choosing a personal doctor, Social Insurance, and a look at every policy you hold abroad. Ask your UK insurers what happens if you change your country of residence. Then see what your family is missing here: life, health, income.

Within the EU, coordination rules take into account the insurance periods in each country, and each country pays its own part. You usually apply in the country where you live. Ask the Social Insurance Services about your own years and amounts.

For the provident fund, your fund’s rules apply; ask for them in writing before you leave. For Social Insurance, within the EU your periods are taken into account through coordination; for countries outside the EU it depends on the agreements. Keep copies of all contribution statements.

Ask three things: whether it pays a Cyprus resident into an account here, whether you can keep paying, and how a claim would work from Cyprus. There may be restrictions on payments from or to certain countries, which we could not confirm; ask the insurer and your bank. Do not cancel them before you have cover here.

Often the policyholder can be a different person from the insured, but it depends on the insurer. Your parents will need to give their own consent and health declaration, and there are age limits. Also ask whether payment from an account abroad is accepted.

It is a reasonable fear, and it can be solved in advance. Name a trusted person here or abroad, and ask the insurer what written authorisation they need to speak for you. Keep policy numbers and contacts in one place your children know about.

First look at where you really spend your time, and choose health cover whose area of cover matches it. Whether you are entitled to GESY depends on your legal residence. Tell the insurer honestly where you live, because it can affect the cover.

First ask the Health Insurance Organisation whether and how you can register with GESY, and the UK authorities whether you are entitled to an S1 form. Many people add private cover for choice of doctor and speed. If you apply, declare every existing condition.

If you register with GESY, your personal doctor can prescribe the medicines on its list. Bring your prescriptions and medical records, ideally translated. Until you are registered, expect that you may pay privately.

Usually the birth certificate, often certified and translated; but the insurer sets the list, so ask for it in writing. Some policies have a deadline for adding a newborn with a simpler procedure. Check it in the terms.

For an individual life policy, the law gives 30 calendar days to withdraw by written notice, from when you were told the contract was concluded (Article 228 of Law 38(I)/2016). There are exceptions, for example contracts of six months or less, or contracts that secure a loan. Send the notice in a way that leaves proof.