The aim of the study was to investigate the public preferences for health care priority setting by using competing criteria (for relative utility and weight) as well as to explore and describe the public views in shaping health care policy. To our knowledge this is the first attempt to investigate public views concerning issues of setting priorities in health care and health policy decision making in Cyprus. It should be noted that the study was carried out in the context of the ongoing financial crisis and the upcoming health reforms. It is anticipated that the findings from our study may contribute to bridge the gap between public participation and health policy decision making and aid the effort to develop sustainable healthcare systems especially across European countries.