The government has approved a new grant scheme for Nursing and Midwifery students in a bid to address chronic staff shortages across Cyprus' healthcare sector.
The programme, approved by the Council of Ministers, will come into effect from the 2026-27 academic year and is designed to encourage more young people to enter the profession.
According to the Health Ministry, the clinical sector is currently short of around 600 nurses, placing significant pressure on both public and private healthcare providers.
Tiered financial support
The scheme will be available to both new and existing students enrolled in recognised Nursing and Midwifery degree programmes in Cyprus.
Students will receive annual grants on a sliding scale:
- €1,000 in the first year
- €1,250 in the second year
- €1,500 in the third year
- €2,000 in the fourth year
Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides said all permanent residents of Cyprus studying in recognised programmes will be eligible, regardless of income or asset criteria.
In return, recipients will be required to work in Cyprus' healthcare system for two years after completing their studies.
Part of a broader strategy
The minister described the measure as part of a wider effort to tackle nursing shortages.
He noted that awareness campaigns and initiatives promoting the profession have already contributed to a doubling of undergraduate Nursing student numbers over the past two years.
Other measures under way include fast-track training programmes for healthcare assistants, plans to recruit nurses from third countries and proposed changes to nurse-to-bed staffing ratios.
More incentives under consideration
According to information obtained by Politis, the Health Ministry is also examining additional incentives to encourage former nurses to return to the profession.
Discussions are also taking place with private healthcare providers on scholarship schemes for Nursing students attending private universities, linked to future employment in private hospitals.
At the same time, authorities plan to expand information campaigns highlighting nursing career prospects, including the option for male Nursing students to defer military service, a measure officials believe could attract more young people to the profession.
