Cyprus
Entry requirements
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 the 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.
COVID-19 rules
There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Cyprus.
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
- 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.
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
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.