If you’re a foreign resident in North Cyprus, seeing a doctor at a state hospital can feel confusing at first. Which number do you call? Can you book online? Which queue do you join once you get there? And since the new Doctor Appointment System (HRS) launched in March 2026, parts of the process have changed.
We put this guide together from official sources and from the first-hand experience of a foreign resident, whose spouse holds a work permit, at Famagusta State Hospital in October 2026. It walks you through every step, from preparing before you call to showing your test results to the doctor.
Table of Contents
Before You Start: Do You Have a Foreigner ID Number (YKN)?
To book an appointment at a state hospital, you need your foreigner ID number, which starts with 9. Staff may ask for it under different names: Yabancı Kimlik Numarası, YKN or muhaceret numarası (immigration number).
- If you have a work permit: the number is printed on your work permit document.
- If you don’t have one yet: apply to the immigration (Muhaceret) office of the Ministry of Interior in Nicosia (Lefkoşa).
Depending on your situation, the immigration office may ask for:
- A copy of your passport and ID
- Your old or new work permit document and birth certificate
- A marriage certificate if you’re married, or a divorce certificate if you’re divorced
- Your pre-permit document if you hold a pre-work permit
- For children: the child’s birth certificate, passport and ID
For an overview of residency options, see our North Cyprus golden visa and residence permit guide.
Registering at the Hospital
- Your passport
- Your residence document: a work permit, family residence permit or student permit
How to Book a Hospital Appointment in North Cyprus
The 1101 Central Appointment Line
For most foreigners, calling 1101 is the easiest option. The ministry has confirmed that the line was not withdrawn after the switch to the new system. In fact, it added more lines and staff.- Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am–5:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am–2:00 pm
- Language: in our source’s experience, you can choose a Turkish- or English-speaking operator.
- Your full name
- Your phone number
- Your foreigner ID number (YKN)
- The department you need and, optionally, a preferred doctor
- Your preferred city or hospital (Famagusta, Nicosia, Kyrenia, etc.)
Online Booking (e-Devlet / HRS)
The online system runs 24/7, and you log in through the e-Devlet (e-Government) portal. However, according to the e-Devlet FAQ, passwords are issued in person at district offices (kaymakamlık) to TRNC citizens aged 15 or over who hold a TRNC ID number. So if you only have a foreigner ID number, you probably won’t be able to book online. Calling 1101 or going to the hospital in person is the reliable route.Booking in Person
You can also go directly to a hospital’s outpatient appointment desk. Famagusta State Hospital says outpatient appointments are given during working hours.On the Day: Step by Step
Tip: Arrive early. If the doctor orders blood tests, you’ll have time to do them the same day. In our source’s October 2026 experience, the lab at Famagusta State Hospital accepts patients until 10:30 am.
1. Take a queue number
Bring your passport and residence document to the outpatient (polyclinic) building. The ticket machine at the entrance offers two options:
- HASTA KAYIT (patient registration): choose this for your appointment.
- KAN ALMA (blood draw): this is for blood tests, not for this step.
2. Get your doctor slip at the desk
When your number comes up on the screen, go to the desk. The clerk checks your documents and booking, then gives you a slip with your doctor’s name on it.
3. Wait outside the doctor’s room
Wait outside the doctor’s room and go in when your name appears on the screen above the door. If you can’t find the room, ask at reception or follow the signs.
Blood Tests and Showing Your Results to the Doctor
If the doctor orders tests, you’ll get a request form to take to the lab. At Famagusta State Hospital, the lab is on the first floor.
Check your phone number: When you register at the lab, you’ll be asked for your mobile number. You’ll receive a verification code by SMS on this number when you check your results online. In our source’s October 2026 experience, an SMS arrives as soon as you’re registered. If it doesn’t, your number may have been entered incorrectly, so tell the staff right away. Otherwise, you may have to go back to the hospital to get it corrected.
- Missed the 10:30 cut-off? In our source’s experience, you can return the next working day with the same form, without a new doctor’s appointment.
Viewing Your Test Results Online
When you give a blood sample, you’ll receive a results tracking label (sonuç takip etiketi). According to the Ministry of Health, you can use the transaction number on this label and your personal details to view and print your results in the test results section of the ministry’s website, so there’s no need to queue at the information desk.
- Keep your results tracking label. The transaction number (işlem numarası) on it is unique to each test.
- Go to the test results section of the Ministry of Health website.
- Enter your transaction number and personal details. In our source’s experience, foreigners are asked for their passport number and date of birth.
- Enter the SMS code sent to your phone to view your results.
- Results not showing? According to the ministry, if you’ve entered everything correctly but see no results, your tests haven’t been approved by a specialist yet. The system is available 24/7, so you can try again any time after approval.
- Lost your label? Call the information desk of the hospital where you had the test. Once you answer a few security questions, they’ll give you your transaction number.
- No SMS? The phone number on your record may be wrong. You’ll need to contact the hospital to have it corrected.
For more details, see the Ministry of Health’s test results help page (in Turkish).
Showing Your Results to the Doctor
In our source’s experience, you don’t need to book again through 1101 to show your results to the same doctor. Just arrange it with the staff at the outpatient clinic.
Do Foreigners Pay at State Hospitals?
There’s no single, simple answer. According to the TRNC Public Information Office, state hospital services are either free or charged under the official Health Institutions Fee Schedule (Sağlık Kurumları Ücretler Tarifesi Tüzüğü). What you pay can depend on your insurance status and the treatment.
For example, at the October 2026 check-up at Famagusta State Hospital described here, the patient was registered as an “insured spouse and child” (Sigortalı Eş ve Çocuğu) and wasn’t charged for any of the steps in this guide. In other words, your spouse’s social insurance may determine your status at the hospital. Still, it’s worth asking about your own situation at the desk when you register.
In an emergency, call 112. State hospitals provide emergency treatment to all visitors.
Main State Hospitals in North Cyprus
- Nicosia (Lefkoşa): Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital, the largest in the country
- Famagusta (Gazimağusa) and İskele area: Famagusta State Hospital, Salamis Road
- Kyrenia (Girne): Dr. Akçiçek State Hospital
- Güzelyurt and Lefke area: Cengiz Topel Hospital
Outpatient appointments at all of them are booked through the same 1101 line. If you’re going by bus, our guide to public transport in North Cyprus can help.
FAQ
Has the 1101 line been discontinued?
No. The Ministry of Health confirmed in March 2026 that the 1101 Central Appointment Line is still running alongside the new Doctor Appointment System.
Can foreigners book a hospital appointment online?
Online booking needs an e-Devlet password, and those are issued to TRNC citizens. If you only have a foreigner ID number, the reliable options are calling 1101 or booking in person at the hospital.
What number do I need to book?
Your foreigner ID number (YKN), which starts with 9. If you have a work permit, it’s printed on the permit document.
What if I miss the lab cut-off?
In our source’s October 2026 experience, you can go back the next working day with the same request form, without a new appointment.
How can I see my test results online?
Use the transaction number on your results tracking label and your personal details in the test results section of the Ministry of Health website. You’ll get a verification code by SMS. If no results appear, your tests haven’t been approved yet.
What are the 1101 line’s opening hours?
Monday to Friday 8:00 am–5:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am–2:00 pm.
This guide is based on official TRNC Ministry of Health and hospital sources, plus one patient’s experience in October 2026. Hours and procedures can change, so we recommend confirming with 1101 before you go.
New to North Cyprus? If you’re looking for a home near your hospital, browse property listings on Pazar Kıbrıs.
