What you need to know about travelling to Cyprus with the UK

Cyprus travel restrictions

All travellers

All travellers must complete a Cyprus Flight Pass within 48 Hours of departure.

If you have been fully vaccinated

Passengers vaccinated can enter the Republic of Cyprus as long as they have a valid certificate of their vaccination. You can change the arrival procedures. All instructions given to passengers at arrival should be followed. This could include testing by random selection.

Proof of vaccination status

The UK’s proof of COVID-19 immunization record will be accepted in Cyprus. Your last vaccination must have been given at least 14 business days prior to your departure. Your NHS appointment card at vaccination centres is not intended for use as proof of vaccination. It should not be used to prove your vaccination status.

Travellers with questions regarding the Cyprus Flight Pass can get assistance from the Cyprus government through the help desk. This service is available by phone at (+357) 24841234 or through our e-platform, Cyprus Flight Pass. You can continue to follow developments through the Republic of Cyprus Information Office.

If you aren’t fully vaccinated

The UK is a Red Category nation. For passengers over 12 who wish to travel the Republic of Cyprus, they must either undergo a laboratory test or a rapid antibody test within 72 hours before departure. They also need to be tested for PCR upon arrival at the airports of Cyprus. The cost of an airport test (EUR15-EUR19) is the responsibility of the passenger. The online platform will provide the results within 3 hours. The result will not be available until you are self-isolated in your accommodation. If your results are positive, you need to remain self-isolated until you get instructions from the Ministry of Health.

If you have had COVID-19 for the past year

The Cyprus Flight Pass website won’t accept evidence from the UK that it has been rehabilitated under COVID-19. You can find more information at the Cyprus flight Pass website.

Exemptions

Cypriot citizens and their family members (alien wives and their underage children) and anyone legally residing here have the option of taking a blood test upon arrival in Cyprus. You must have at least one dose of a two-dose vaccine, be between the ages of 12-15 and not have been vaccinated because of medical reasons. If you satisfy any of these requirements and decide to opt for this option, then you will have to stay in mandatory isolation for 72 hours after arriving. The 72-hour time limit must be exceeded, and you will have to take another PCR test. If the repeat is negative, submit this online at the Cyprus Flight Pass platform. You can then end your isolation.

Young people and children

Children under 11 are exempted from the testing requirements. Children aged 12 years or older who have not completed the full vaccination program are exempted from the testing requirement.

If you are travelling through Cyprus

Passengers flying from the UK to Cyprus via Cyprus don’t need to have a Cyprus Flight Pass. Passengers who embark in Cyprus from the UK and travel on a connecting flight need to complete a Cyprus Pass. For further information, visit the Cyprus flight pass website.

The north of Cyprus

The UK requires that unvaccinated travellers visiting North Cyprus from the UK provide a negative result of a PCR (or rapid) test. Non-vaccinated travellers must also undergo a COVID-19 testing within 72 hours or 120 hours following entry.

No negative test is required for fully vaccinated travellers. A booster shot or two doses each of Sinovac or Pfizer Biontech Sinopharm, Janssen or Janssen or Sputnik are sufficient to make you fully vaccinated. This is if your second shot was 14 days ago. You will be considered unvaccinated after more than 269 days have passed since the second shot.

Before travelling, all travellers must complete a Passenger Country Entries Form. You should also have printed copies of these documents.

Before you travel, be sure to verify your passport and travel documents.

Passport validity

You must be aware of the Schengen zone rules if you intend to travel to an EU member country (except Ireland), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Andorra.

There are 2 requirements for your passport to be valid. It must satisfy the following requirements

• It is less than 10 years old when you enter the program (check the date of issue’).
• Valid for at the very least 3 months from the day of your departure (check the expiry date’).

We are asking for clarification from the European Commission on the 10-year rule. The European Commission may not update their guidance for Schengen frontier guards until spring 2022. For some Schengen country passports, you may need to keep them under 10 years. In addition, the three months in the end may need to be within 10 to 15 years of their issue date.

Double-check the expiry and issue dates of your passport. An extra month may have been added to your passport’s expiry if you renewed your passport before it expired. This could result in your passport needing to be less than 10 years old.

If you feel that your passport does NOT meet the requirements, contact your travel provider. Renewal of your passport is possible if you feel the need.

If you are travelling to the north of Cyprus, the administration advises that your passport needs to be valid at least 6 months after the date of entry.

Visas

Visit Local travel for more information regarding crossing to and back from the northern part of Cyprus.

Cyprus is not within the Schengen space. Visits not to Cyprus do NOT count towards your 90-day visa exemption limit in Schengen.

The 90-day visa-free zone in Cyprus is not applicable to visits to Schengen or EU countries.

The visa-free travel policy allows you to visit Cyprus for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This applies if your purpose is to travel to Cyprus for leisure, business, training, or cultural events.

If you want to stay longer to work, study, travel for business, or any other purpose, you must comply with the Cypriot government’s entry requirements. Ask the Republic of Cyprus High Commission for information about what kind of visa and/or permit you may require.

If you are planning to travel to Cyprus for employment, please read the guidance about visas.

Staying in Cyprus on a Cypriot long-stay or residence visa does not count towards the 90-day visa free limit.

For residents of Cyprus, it is recommended that you bring your Republic of Cyprus-issued documentation with you to enter or exit the Republic of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus is not able to recognize the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus nor any residence permits issued from the administration.

Republic of Cyprus authorities count time spent north of Cyprus towards the 90-day visa exemption total. Overstaying may result in problems at the airport for exit and re-entry.

Passport stamping

If you are a visitor to Cyprus, your passport will need to be stamped upon entry and exit. Border guards will stamp your passport to ensure you adhere to the 90-day visa free limit for short stays.

As a visitor to the Schengen Area, make sure your passport is stamped. This will allow border guards to verify that you comply with the 90-day visa limit for Cyprus and the separate 90-day visa-exempt limit for Schengen.

Border guards can assume you have violated your visa-free travel limit if your passport doesn’t contain the relevant entry/exit stamp. If you can provide evidence such as transport tickets that show when you entered and exited Cyprus, border agents will add the entry date or exit date to your passport.

You may also want to:

• Show a Return or Onward ticket
• Show you have sufficient money to cover your stay

If you have a Withdrawal Agreement resident document for another Country, your passport might still need to be stamped if the visitor is from Cyprus.

For information on stamping your passport if a Cyprus resident, see our Living Guide

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency Travel Papers (ETDs), can be accepted for entry, airside transit, and exit from Cyprus.

About Cyprus

Cyprus, the legendary birthplace and home of Aphrodite, has everything you would expect from the Mediterranean. There are sandy beaches, monasteries, ancient ruins, classical ruins as well as terracotta pottery and thyme scented mountains.

Cyprus has always stood at the crossroads to Asia and Europe. In ancient times, numerous empires fought for control over its seaports. These empire-builders left behind a remarkable legacy of historical relics.

Cyprus was a backwater nation until the 1970s. A civil war led to the division of the island into Greek Cypriot and Turkish states. The Greek Republic of Cyprus became a modern European nation in the South, while the Turkish northern half of Cyprus remains isolated. Turkey is the only one that recognizes it and keeps it off the tourist radar.

Partition saw tourist growth on the Greek side of the island. The emergence of AyiaNapa and Protaras, Limassol, Paphos, and a string of other package holiday resorts on the southern coast was a result. This is Cyprus in its one aspect – whitewashed homes, sunbathers on the beach, banana-boat rides and boisterous nightclubs populated by young people who enjoy the warm summer sunshine.

Inland, ancient Cyprus still exists, with charming villages full of UNESCO-listed church sites, peaceful mountain trails, vineyards that have been a part of winemaking since ancient times, and beautiful villages. Lefkosia or Nicosia, the divided capital, has an old-world atmosphere. It is lined with quiet lanes and Byzantine church churches. The Green Line, the de facto boundary between the two enclaves, abruptly stops traffic.

The north is different again. It’s more Turkish than Greek, down to the menus on restaurant tables. However, it’s studded with ancient Crusader castles and ruins. While the coast is being developed along Kyrenia or Famagusta’s coastline, Kyrenia or Girne is experiencing rapid development. The remote Karpas Peninsula offers a way back to the past. It has ancient ruins that spill out onto golden beaches, which attract more sea turtles and humans than anyone else.

Cyprus’ top places to visit

Cyprus lies south of Turkey in the far eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Although it is geographically in Asia, the island is home to a variety of cultures. It also has clear European ties. Cyprus is well-known for its gorgeous beaches and warm temperatures, but this is not all that the island has. You’ll also find wonderful, vibrant cities, beautiful ruins, charming villages, and amazing mountains. Make sure you include all the top spots to visit in Cyprus on your next vacation itinerary.

Paphos

Paphos, a beach town on the southwestern end of the island, is known as the Birthplace of Aphrodite. Today, Paphos is divided in two. Kato Paphos is the lower section, which is where you can find many of Paphos’ hotels and archaeological monuments. The commercial district is the top destination, and here you will find shops and eateries. Paphos is famous for its archaeology as well as its ruins.

Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa resort is the best place to go if you are looking for nightlife. The Square is the centre of what happens after dark, and many bars and nightclubs remain open until dawn. Live music, great drinks, and an energetic, youthful atmosphere are all available at the Square. You should also make sure to stop by Ayia Napa’s amazing beaches, including Makronissos Beach. For history and local culture, visit the AyiaNapa Monastery, 16th Century, as well as the Thalassa Museum. This museum houses an extraordinary collection of exhibits that illustrate the importance of the sea to the region’s development.

Limassol

Limassol has the highest urban density in Cyprus, following the capital. It is a crucial seaport and has been a major tourist attraction for visitors looking for sun and sand over the past several decades. The Old Town of Limassol, which is the ideal place to start your stay in the city’s capital, is also a good choice. Anexartisias Street serves as a major shopping destination, while Saripolou Square is the heart of the Old Town’s nightlife scene. It’s worth stopping by the Limassol Marina to admire the luxury yachts and walking along the Akti Obpion path.

Larnaca

Historical evidence supports the claim that Larnaca, with its history stretching back over 6,000-years, is Cyprus’ oldest city. Larnaca is also home to the island’s largest international air terminal. Larnaca is a city you’ll want to explore, not just to pass through. History buffs can visit the Church of St. Lazarus (9th century) or the Faneromeni Church (11th century). A great adventure is to head to Larnaca Salt Lake for pink flamingos.

Nicosia

Nicosia is Cyprus’ capital. But, it is not like any other capital. Nicosia lies between Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus as well as the culturally Greek Republic of Cyprus. There are over 12 museums in Nicosia. The three most notable ones are the Cyprus Museum, Byzantine Museum and Ledra Observatory Museum. Here you can climb to the 11th floor and view the island’s national boundary line (known collectively as the “The Green Line”). Look for Cypriot souvenirs if your budget is tight. Visit Ledra Street for traditional items or Laiki Geitonia to find affordable souvenir shops.

Kyrenia

The Turkish control of the northern island is overtaking the cultural Greek Republic. Kyrenia, a harbour town in Turkish Cyprus, boasts a breathtaking backdrop made up by the Pentadaktylos Mountains. This stunning architecture spans more than 1,300years and provides endless opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation. The Museum of Decorative Arts (seventh century Byzantine Kyrenia Castle), the Shipwreck Museum and the Museum of Decorative Arts are three of the most famous museums in Kyrenia. Kyrenia is a good place to spot turtles. To see the Mediterranean Sea and hike along the coast, you can also play on a local golf course.

Returning to the UK

If you’re arriving in England from an overseas country after 4 am on Friday 18 March you don’t have to do so:

• Before you travel, or after you arrive at your destination, you should take COVID-19 testing
• Before you travel to the UK, make sure you fill out the passenger locator form.

This applies regardless if you are vaccinated.

A current rule states that you do not have to quarantine visitors upon arrival.

COVID-19 entry rules are still in force in other countries. Before you travel, it is important to verify the travel advice.