New law reforms Cyprus Medical Council operations and foreign physician licensing

The Cyprus Parliament has approved a new law modernizing the operations and supervisory powers of the Cyprus Medical Council. Key changes include the legalization of virtual meetings, the use of electronic notification for council members, and clear regulations for maintaining a quorum despite potential vacancies. The legislation clarifies the grounds for the early termination of a member's tenure, such as criminal convictions, professional incapacity, or unexplained absences. Furthermore, the law introduces a pathway for temporary professional licensing of doctors from third countries to provide specialized services not currently available in the Republic. These applicants must meet strict criteria, including holding a valid license in their home country, providing a full CV, disclosing patient data, and maintaining professional liability insurance. The requirement for Greek language proficiency for such doctors has been raised to a 'very good' level. Disciplinary powers are also expanded, allowing for penalties ranging from reprimands to suspension or de-registration, and the maximum administrative fine has been increased to 25,000 euros. Finally, the legislation reinforces the right of medical professionals to appeal council decisions before the Administrative Court.