COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Cyprus (19 April Update)

NOTE: The Republic of Cyprus is de facto divided into two jurisdictions. One is the Republic of Cyprus. The second area is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the north.

Both Cyprus and the TRNC have restrictions for controlling the spread of COVID-19. Restrictions in the TRNC will be noted when they differ from the Republic of Cyprus.

Can a resident enter the country?

  • Yes

  • Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

  • Yes with exceptions

  • In order to board a flight, all incoming travellers must provide information to the Republic of Cyprus and obtain a “Flight Pass” at https://www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy.

  • Cypriot authorities have adopted the risk categorization system of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) which assigns colour codes to countries based on their risk level and epidemiological data. The regularly updated list of country categorizations can be found here. Travellers arriving from ORANGE and RED-coded countries are allowed to enter with some restrictions. Entry to Cyprus for travellers arriving from GREY-coded countries is limited to the following categories:

  • Cypriot citizens and their family members (spouses and children)

  • Persons legally residing in the Republic of Cyprus or EU/EEA/ Swiss citizens

  • Persons allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus in accordance with the Vienna Convention

  • Citizens of third countries, provided they obtain prior special permission from Cypriot authorities. The application for a Special Permission must be submitted on the Cyprus Flight Pass Platform. Applications for special permission cannot be submitted in the last 2 days prior to the expected travel date. The approval of a special permit shall be valid for two months from the date of issue.

  • TRNC: Foreigners are allowed to enter the country. Travellers who are arriving from or have been in the UK, the Netherlands, Brazil, Denmark, and South Africa in the 14 days prior to travel to Cyprus, will be prohibited from entry to TRNC. Only TRNC citizens from these countries will be allowed to enter the country subject to entering a 14-day quarantine.

  • The UN Buffer Zone crossings from “TRNC” are, at present, effectively closed to anyone who does not hold a Cypriot or EU passport or who is not legally residing in the Republic of Cyprus.

Is transiting permitted

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Travellers transiting Cyprus must get a Cyprus Flight Pass by completing a form 24 hours before travelling. The form is available at this link.

Test certificate required?

  • Yes

  • Persons travelling from GREEN-listed countries will not need to have a negative PCR test certificate for COVID-19 when travelling to Cyprus; they will only need to provide certain information and a solemn declaration.

  • Persons travelling from ORANGE, RED and GREY-listed countries are required to undergo a molecular test at a certified lab, with the sample taken during the last 72 hours prior to the flight departure. Travellers must upload a certificate that demonstrates a negative PCR for COVID-19 on the Cyprus Flight Pass Platform. Children below the age of 11 are exempted from testing. All travellers will also need to provide certain information and a solemn declaration.

  • All travellers who can prove that they have received the required doses of an authorized vaccine, will not be required to undergo any tests to visit Cyprus. Prior to travel, a copy of the vaccination certificate (in English) must be uploaded onto the Cyprus Flight Pass platform and certain vaccination details must be provided.

  • TRNC: Travellers arriving in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus must submit a negative PCR test certificate issued within the previous 72 hours before travel. Travellers who arrive from the United Kingdom will be allowed to enter the country upon presenting their NHS test reports or COVID-19 test results provided to students by universities in the United Kingdom. Travellers who come from Turkey to the TRNC have the obligation to present a QR code on their PCR test results.

  • PCR test results will only be accepted in Turkish and English languages.

Test on arrival?

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Travellers travelling from RED-listed countries need to undergo a molecular PCR test upon arrival at their own expense. Results of the test will be available within 3 hours and will be shared with the traveller by SMS. Only children below the age of 11 are exempted from testing. All travellers will also need to provide certain information and a solemn declaration.

  • Travellers permitted to enter Cyprus from Red-listed countries, may choose to undergo only one lab test, upon their arrival to Cyprus. Then travellers must remain in self-isolation for three (3) days. On day 4, they need to undergo a second PCR test for Covid-19, at their own expense. The result of the lab test must be submitted to the electronic address [email protected].

  • The following persons from ORANGE AND RED-listed countries will be allowed to enter Cyprus, following a lab test at their own expense upon entry into the Republic of Cyprus:

  • Cypriot citizens and members of their families (foreign spouses and children)

  • Legal residents of Cyprus

  • Passengers entitled to enter the Republic under the Vienna Convention

  • Persons in countries where the authorities duly substantiate are not in a position to offer COVID-19 testing to those wishing to travel.

  • All passengers are also subject to possible random COVID testing upon entry.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

  • No with exceptions

  • Travellers from GREY-listed countries have to enter quarantine for fourteen (14) days. The quarantine period may be shortened to ten (10) days, provided the traveller undergoes another PCR test for COVID-19 on the 10th day, at their own expense and obtain a negative result. The result of the lab test must be submitted to the electronic address [email protected]. Children below the age of 11 are exempted from testing.

  • Travellers permitted to enter Cyprus from Red-listed countries, may choose to undergo only one lab test, upon their arrival to Cyprus but must then remain in self-isolation for three (3) days. On day 4, they need to undergo a second PCR test for Covid-19, at their own expense. The result of the lab test must be submitted to the electronic address [email protected].

  • Travellers who test positive at the airport will be in mandatory quarantine at a designated facility. Those testing negative must self-isolate at their residence and complete a negative PCR test prior to release following Ministry of Health protocol.

  • All travellers who can prove that they have received the required doses of an authorized vaccine, will not be required to undergo quarantine restriction. Prior to travel, a copy of the vaccination certificate (in English) must be uploaded onto the Cyprus Flight Pass platform and certain vaccination details must be provided.

  • Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers may either be exempted from quarantine or undergo a maximum of 14 days of quarantine.

  • TRNC: Most travellers entering the TRNC must quarantine for 10 days and PCR tests will be performed at the end of the quarantine. Travellers who have visited the UK, Netherlands, Brazil, Denmark, and South Africa in the 14 days prior to travel to TRNC must quarantine for 14 days on arrival. All tests and quarantine fees will be covered by the passengers entering the country.

  • TRNC: From 12 April travellers who are allowed to undergo home quarantine will have to install a mobile application called Güvende Kal and complete registration and payment through this application before coming to TRNC. The travellers will be provided with an electronic monitoring bracelet upon arrival.

  • TRNC: Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will be subjected to a minimum of 10 days of quarantine and a maximum of 14 days of quarantine.

Border app recommended?

Vaccination required?

  • No

  • A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Insurance required?

  • No

  • Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Entry form required?

  • Yes

  • All travellers coming to Cyprus must get a Cyprus Flight Pass by completing a form 24 hours before travel to Cyprus. Travellers must ensure that the PCR test result or a copy of the vaccination certificate (in English) must be uploaded onto the Cyprus Flight Pass platform and certain vaccination details must be provided. Airlines will not permit passengers to board the aircraft and travel to Cyprus without a Cyprus Flight Pass.

  • Only in the event of a technical problem or scheduled maintenance of the electronic platform (officially announced on the electronic platform) will passengers be allowed to fill in the required forms, in writing. These can be downloaded from here. In this case, travellers will have to carry the required documentation in paper form.

  • Passengers, with the nationality of third countries, travelling to the Republic of Cyprus from a country not included in Categories Green, Orange, Red are required to obtain a special permit before travelling to the country. Αpplications for special permission cannot be submitted in the last 2 days prior to the expected travel date. The approval granted shall be valid for two months from the date of issue of the special permit. Travellers are advised to arrange their trip before the expiration of the two-month period.

  • Travellers entering TRNC have to submit an Information and Obligation Form. Which can be found here.

Airline restrictions

  • Moderate

  • Airports are open.

  • Commercial flight operations have resumed.

Border restrictions

Note: The Republic of Cyprus does not consider entry at Ercan Airport in the TRNC to be a “legal” route of entry to Cyprus.

  • Moderate

  • Maritime borders are open.

Curfew restrictions

  • Cyprus: A nationwide curfew is in effect from 23:00 to 05:00. People are allowed to leave home only twice a day for specific reasons, such as travel to and from the workplace, buying groceries or medicines or for exercise.

  • TRNC: There is a curfew between 21:00 and 05:00 from Monday to Saturday and a full day curfew on Sundays. Approval must be obtained online in order to leave one’s residence or travel to another region during curfew hours.

Social distancing restrictions

  • Minimal

  • Cyprus: A maximum of 6 people can gather indoors or outdoors except for minors accompanying their parents in public places.

  • TRNC: A maximum of 10 people can gather in one place.

Internal travel restrictions

  • Moderate

  • Cyprus: Currently, no intercity or interstate restriction is in place.

  • TRNC: An approval must be obtained online to leave one’s residence or travel to another region.

Non-essential shops open?

  • No with exceptions

  • Cyprus: Most businesses and services are closed. Essential services are open.

  • TRNC: Businesses are allowed to operate under strict guidelines on weekdays; only essential businesses and open-air markets may operate on Saturdays; all businesses except pharmacies and petrol stations are closed on Sundays. Markets are allowed to open between 7:00 and 20:00 on weekdays and other retail shops are allowed to open between 10:00 and 20:00.

Accommodations open?

  • Yes

  • Hotels and accommodations are open.

  • Catering facilities within hotels and tourist accommodation may serve only the customers staying at the accommodation.

Restaurants open?

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Cyprus: Restaurants are allowed to open for outdoor dining until 22:45. A maximum of 8 people can be seated at a table.

  • In TRNC: Restaurants are allowed to operate on weekdays between 07:00 and 21:00. Restaurants and cafe delivery services may operate on Saturdays.

Bars and cafes open?

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Food catering establishments are allowed to operate with limited hours. Dancing is prohibited.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Nature trails and beaches are open for exercise only.

Museums and heritage sites open?

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Museums, libraries, historical and archaeological sites are open.

Personal care services open?

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Personal care services are open.

  • In TRNC: Indoor swimming pools, massage centers, spas, indoor sports halls, clubs, hammams, and saunas remain closed.

Places of worship are open?

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Church gatherings are limited to 50 people.

Events are allowed?

  • No with exceptions

  • Conferences, demonstrations, and exhibitions are prohibited.

  • TRNC: Funerals can be held with the participation of only first-degree relatives.

Masks required in public?

  • Yes

  • Cyprus: Face masks are mandatory in all public places. Wearing a mask is compulsory in indoor and outdoor venues for everyone.

  • TRNC: Face coverings are required in all public indoor venues, such as shops, theatres, malls.

Advice For Travellers

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.