Cyprus travel advisory today

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Cyprus’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Cyprus set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Cyprus High Commission in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Cyprus, your passport must have:

• a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
• an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)
• at least one blank page for stamping

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or proof of right of abode. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to Cyprus for up to 90 days. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

At Cyprus border control, you may also need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay

The requirements for working in Cyprus are different.

Cyprus is not part of the Schengen area, so:

• visits to Cyprus do not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit in the Schengen area
• visits to other EU or Schengen countries do not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit in Cyprus
• Cyprus is not affected by the new Entry/Exit System (EES) that will be introduced in Schengen countries from 12 October 2025. You will not need to register for EES when entering Cyprus. Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System and to understand which countries are in the Schengen area.

Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit.

If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left Cyprus (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

Read about passport stamping if you live in Cyprus.

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period

To stay longer, check with the Cyprus High Commission.

Do not overstay your permitted time. You could be:

• questioned by immigration at the airport on exit
• put on a ‘stop list’ and refused entry for up to 5 years

Entry requirements for the north of Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus authorities will count time in the north of Cyprus towards the 90-day visa-free total. You can use any crossing point to move between the north and south of the island.

See a list of the crossing points from the Cyprus Ministry of Finance.

Only pedestrians can use the crossing points at Ledra Palace and Ledra and Lokmaci Street.

If you enter the Republic of Cyprus through the north (such as through Ercan Airport), authorities will consider you to have entered illegally. You could be:

• fined for illegal entry
• refused entry to or exit from the Republic of Cyprus
• prevented from crossing back into the north of Cyprus

For more information about the north of Cyprus, see Regional risks.

UK residents of Cyprus or other EU countries

Residents should carry residency documents issued by the Republic of Cyprus when entering and exiting Cyprus.

If you have a Withdrawal Agreement residency document for another country, your passport might still be stamped if you are a visitor to Cyprus.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Cyprus guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Cyprus. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food into Cyprus

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.

Customs rules between the north and south of Cyprus

There are controls on quantities and types of goods that can be bought in the north of Cyprus and taken across the ‘Green Line’ to the south of the island. This includes goods from the bicommunal village of Pyla in the buffer zone.

For example, the Republic of Cyprus enforces a 40-cigarette per person limit. The authorities can confiscate goods at the checkpoint and you could be fined.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is an electronic travel authorization (ETA) system. You will be required to apply online and pay for an ETIAS before you travel to any one of 30 European countries. Applications are not yet open. Apply only through the official EU website once the system is launched.

Dual citizens of Canada and participating countries

If you're a Canadian citizen but also a citizen of any of the participating countries, you will not be eligible to apply for an ETIAS. You must travel on your European passport. If you do not have a passport, or if you have an expired passport from the participating country of which you are also a citizen, you must apply for one or renew it before you travel.

If you are unsure whether you are a citizen of any of the participating countries, you must verify your status with the country's embassy or consulate in Canada before you travel, or you risk being denied entry to your destination.

If you are a Canadian with dual citizenship, you need to carry a valid Canadian passport to return to Canada by air.

Be cautious of fraudulent websites claiming to sell ETIAS authorizations.

Useful links

• Travelling to Europe
• Foreign representatives accredited to Canada
• Official ETIAS website – European Union
• Dual citizenship and ETIAS – European Union

Entry to Cyprus

It is illegal to enter the island of Cyprus through the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”.

Authorities may not let you go through checkpoints at the United Nations Buffer Zone if you have previously entered through Ercan International Airport or the Port of Famagusta.

Crossing the UN buffer zone or “green line”

If you need to cross the UN buffer zone or “green line”, make sure you do so at one of the designated crossing points. It is illegal to do so elsewhere.

• East: Pergamos, Strovilia, Deryneia
• Nicosia: Agios Dhometios, Ledra Palace (for pedestrians only), Ledra Street (for pedestrians only)
• West: Lefka-Apliki Kato, Kato Pyrgos-Karavostasi, Astromeritis-Zodhia

Green line regulations - Customs and Excise department of the Republic of Cyprus

British sovereign base areas

There are two sovereign British military bases on the island of Cyprus, one in Akrotiri and the other in Dhekelia. These bases are under British jurisdiction. Entry of civilians is restricted in certain areas.

Be aware of entry restrictions if travelling in the vicinity of the base areas.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave from Cyprus.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Student visa: required

If you plan on residing in Cyprus, make sure you apply for the right visa or residency permit.

Visas or residency permits issued by the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” are not recognized by the Republic of Cyprus.

Useful links

• Visa information - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus
• Temporary residence permits - Civil Registry and Migration department of the Republic of Cyprus

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Exit permit

If you’re aged 16 or over and a dual citizen or eligible for Cypriot citizenship, you may require an exit permit to leave Cyprus.

Contact the Ministry of Defence of Cyprus to obtain more information on this process.

Exit permits - Ministry of Defence of the Republic of the Republic of Cyprus

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.