E-Govt

[waddo]

Much in the local news about Hospital Appointments now available on E-Govt. - sounds like a big improvement - BUT - you need a password? As far as I can see you can only get a Password for E-Govt if you are a Citizen!

So my question is simple - as I can never be a citizen here BUT I am required to pay for my hospital insurance as part of my residency payments - First, how can I get a Password and - Second, if I can't get a Password as I am not a citizen, why do I have to pay for my insurance??

Not complaining here, just part of the system seems to have missed out the thousands of non-citizens who support the country.

[snd1966]

Maybe non citizens still have to ring 1101 and book

[Dalartokat]

Much in the local news about Hospital Appointments now available on E-Govt. - sounds like a big improvement - BUT - you need a password? As far as I can see you can only get a Password for E-Govt if you are a Citizen!

So my question is simple - as I can never be a citizen here BUT I am required to pay for my hospital insurance as part of my residency payments - First, how can I get a Password and - Second, if I can't get a Password as I am not a citizen, why do I have to pay for my insurance??

Not complaining here, just part of the system seems to have missed out the thousands of non-citizens who support the country.

Bearing mind this is AI....


Starting March 2, 2026, the Ministry of Health in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is transitioning to a new Digital Hospital Appointment System (HRS) through the e-Devlet (e-Government) portal.

The restriction limiting online booking via e-Devlet primarily to citizens stems from the following reasons:

System Authentication Requirements: Accessing the new online system requires logging in with a secure e-Government password, which is tied to the national identity number. While foreigners with residency permits are assigned a 99-series number, the system is designed to prioritize TRNC citizens and registered, long-term residents with active e-Government accounts (often requiring a password from a district office).

Structural Transformation & Priority: The Ministry of Health designed this system to improve efficiency and prioritize access for citizens, intending for it to be a, "fast, accessible, and sustainable healthcare system".

Alternative Procedures for Non-Citizens: Non-citizens are still entitled to use public healthcare but are typically required to go through a different procedure. This involves registering at local health clinics to obtain a medical card (Pink or Blue card) for accessing services.

Transition Period Issues: The new system is being phased in. While the goal is digital integration, the current focus is on managing the high demand of the citizen population first.

Key Information for Expats:
Online Access: Non-citizens may need to visit a District Governorate building to obtain an e-Devlet password, which may allow access to some services, but the system is aimed primarily at citizen identification.
Public Hospital Access: Expats can still access public hospitals, but it may require in-person registration or using the traditional (non-digital) appointment methods initially.

Private Healthcare: Due to these administrative hurdles, many expats in North Cyprus use private healthcare for faster service and easier, non-digital, or private digital booking, according to expat reports.

It is recommended that foreign residents check for updates regarding the 99-series number integration into the e-Devlet system at local District Governorate offices

[Dalartokat]

Another version....

Starting March 2, 2026, the North Cyprus (TRNC) Ministry of Health is introducing a new, digitized hospital appointment system that requires secure identity verification through the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal.
This shift to requiring a "kimlik" (identity card) number for online booking is designed to streamline the public healthcare system (State Hospitals) for citizens, but it currently creates barriers for expats due to the following reasons:
System Integration with National Database: The new online system, which allows 24/7 booking, requires an e-Government password that is linked directly to the national database of Turkish Cypriot citizens, which expats (even those with residency) are not part of.
Transition Period Challenges: While the system is designed for security and efficiency for citizens, the digital infrastructure is currently prioritizing those with local identification cards, causing temporary or permanent limitations for foreign residents (expats) who cannot log in using the same credentials.
Public vs. Private Care Split: Public healthcare in North Cyprus is heavily subsidized, and the government aims to manage its limited resources and long waiting times for citizens, while many expats rely on private, English-speaking hospitals that do not use this specific, government-run e-devlet system.


+4
Important Notes for Expats:
Emergency Care: Despite the online booking restrictions for routine, non-emergency visits, public emergency care remains available to everyone on the island, regardless of nationality or residency status.
Alternative Booking: As of March 2, 2026, while the online system is for citizens, residents can still book appointments through other established channels.
Residency Requirement: To access non-emergency public healthcare, expats must have a valid, renewed residency permit and, in some cases, a medical card issued by the Ministry of Health.

[Tanky]

this sounds as if it is a very good topic to pass on to the BRS so they can raise it with the government at one of their meetings.
They will break it down into lay man terms for us all. So all you BRS members please help the rest of us and somebody please pass this to the BRS Many thanks

[benjaminbutton]

History repeats itself. The day we went to Lefkosa for the very first time, about two weeks on landing with a one way air ticket and our passport, we were handed a 2in a 2.5 ins folding card, one blue and one pink and were told we could not obtain our first one year residency with out it, We were told to carry it with us at all times. That was in 2005 and I still have it.

[waddo]

We still have ours as well - you used to be able to produce that to get cheaper access to some places. Supposed to have changed it if you moved house as well but as our address changed four times while we lived in the same place we never bothered. - lol.

[benjaminbutton]

I did actually get into Girne castle with Citizens admission on two occasions, but never tried with anything else.