SCOPE: The Story of PrEP in Cyprus: From Advocacy to Access (Cyprus)

In October 2025, Cyprus entered a new phase in HIV prevention. After years of community advocacy, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) became officially available and free of charge, without restrictions linked to citizenship status or registration in the National Health System. It marked a major step toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals and the aim of ending HIV transmission by 2030.

The story began in 2018, when the AIDS Solidarity Movement (the Movement) and Accept LGBTI Cyprus started advocating for official access to PrEP. The first step was carrying out a survey, to have evidence that people were already using PrEP unofficially. The survey, “PrEP in Cyprus”, was based on “Flash PrEP in Europe”, funded by ILGA Europe. The results showed that many were accessing PrEP online or through friends living abroad, usually without any medical supervision, while others wanted to start but didn’t know how. The survey transformed years of community feedback into data, clearly showing the need for accurate information and official access to PrEP, and was presented in a conference, in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Health, WHO Europe and community representatives. In the years that followed, advocacy continued with interventions, including public appearances and discussions in the House of Parliament, commercial and social media, leading to an official proposed plan of implementation submitted to the National AIDS Committee by the Movement, which the Minister of Health approved in 2024.

When the Movement launched the Cyprus PrEP Point in May 2025, PrEP was still not officially available in Cyprus, despite the official approval by the Ministry. The centre was created to offer information, guidance, support, empowerment and a welcoming, non-judgmental space where people could talk about sexual health and prevention freely. It served as an ultimate effort to push for implementation of the approved action plan for official access. To raise further awareness and spark conversations, the Movement declared June 2025 as “PrEP Month”. A series of webinars brought together local and international experts from WHO Europe, ECDC, AIDS Action Europe, Positive Voice Greece and others. One of these, co-organised with EATG, focused on Cyprus and Ukraine, showing how community organisations can turn advocacy into policy. By the time PrEP became officially available, people already had access to clear, up-to-date information and practical guidance on how to use it effectively.

With support from EATG’s SCOPE project, the Movement produced a PrEP Guide in Greek, English, Turkish and French. It follows international and community guidelines and uses simple, practical language that speaks directly to people’s needs. Translation was essential as Cyprus is home to many communities, including migrants and refugees, who often lack access to health information in a language they understand. Making the guide available in four languages ensured that more people could learn about PrEP, how it works and how to use it safely. The guide is available in print from September 2025, in the state PrEP Clinics in Cyprus and the Cyprus PrEP Point, as well as online.

The first phase of PrEP implementation, coordinated by the Ministry of Health, began in October 2025 with clinics in Nicosia and Larnaca General Hospitals. Demand was immediate, showing how many people had been waiting for official access. At the same time, the Cyprus PrEP Point began weekly appointments offering support, information, counselling and empowerment for people considering PrEP, as well as those already using it on their own. The centre works closely with doctors and the Ministry to ensure that community feedback is heard and acted on.

In the first weeks, some people trying to book appointments were asked for national health system registration numbers or referrals, even though these were not required. Others found that appointments were already booked months in advance. The Movement collected this feedback and immediately shared it with the Ministry and clinic doctors. The booking issue was quickly fixed, and discussions are ongoing to expand appointment days and hours so that more people can start or continue PrEP without long delays. This open communication between the community and health authorities has been key to keeping the rollout inclusive and practical.

Support from EATG’s SCOPE project helped the Movement to:

• Produce and distribute a multilingual PrEP Guide in print and online;

• Launch the Cyprus PrEP Point, a community space for information, support, guidance and empowerment;

• Organise the PrEP Month, connecting national and international voices to raise awareness.

Through this work, the Movement reached people already using PrEP unofficially, those considering it and healthcare professionals interested in learning more. It also strengthened trust between the community and the public health system, building a foundation for long-term collaboration.

The first rollout phase will last one year. The next will expand PrEP clinics to more cities, and later to private doctors and pharmacies, keeping access free for all. The Cyprus PrEP Point will continue working closely with the Ministry of Health and clinic doctors to monitor progress and ensure the programme remains inclusive.

However, none of this would have been possible without the decisive presence of the community that stood firm and informed in its call for the institutional recognition of PrEP. From the first community survey in 2018 to its official rollout in 2025, Cyprus’ success story shows what persistence and collaboration can achieve.

Community participation is not symbolic. It’s what transforms PrEP from a medical intervention into a tool for social change. It breaks down stigma, strengthens trust and makes prevention human-centred, accessible, effective and safe. Ultimately, it’s the community that ensures no one is left behind.

PrEP in Cyprus represents an opportunity to change the game, not only in public health, but in how we understand equality, equity, human rights and self-care. It’s not just a pill; it’s a statement that every person has the right to pleasure and sexual health, free from fear and shame.

To make this vision real, having PrEP available is not enough. The greatest barrier we now face is social stigma and that must become our central focus.

Yiannis Charilaou 
Project Manager, PrEP Counsellor and Community Health Worker 
AIDS Solidarity Movement 

You can find the materials on the side/bottom widget of this page.

EATG’s SCOPE project aims to strengthen the skills and knowledge of community health workers, advocates and researchers in the field of HIV combination prevention. It focuses on communities that are inadequately served by policies and programmes.

The SCOPE project has been developed by the EATG and was made possible through a grant from ViiV Healthcare Europe Ltd.