Cyprus Travel Information

Some cases of coronavirus (covid-19) have been detected in Cyprus. The Cypriot authorities have introduced a number of measures to stop the spread of the virus. This entails, among other things, restrictions on freedom of movement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel that is not strictly necessary. For more information about the coronavirus, see the section Health. According to Abbreviationfinder, CYP stands for Cyprus in geography.

Safety

Emergency Phone: 112

If a crisis situation arises, the Cypriot authorities are responsible for the on-site assistance. Follow local government guidance and advice. Stay informed about the situation through the internet, television and radio. It is important that you notify your relatives. Notify family members, employer and Norwegian authorities/embassy about where you are and how you feel.

Norway is represented by an honorary consulate general in Nicosia. Responsible Norwegian Embassy for Cyprus is the Norwegian Embassy in Athens. Contact the Consulate General: (00 357) 223 49 414 or the Embassy: (0030) 210 72 46 173 if you are in a crisis or emergency. Outside the embassy’s opening hours, you can contact the UD’s 24-hour Operations Center by phone: (0047) 23 95 00 00, e-mail: UDs.Operative.Senter@mfa.no.

Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974 with a UN-controlled buffer zone between the Republic of Cyprus and the northern part of the island. Norway recognizes the Republic of Cyprus in the south, but in accordance with UN resolution 541/1983, the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” is not recognized in the north.

  • Countryaah: Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

Due to the actual division of the island, the Foreign Service will not be able to offer the same offer of consular assistance in northern Cyprus as in the southern part of the island. A representative of the Consulate General will, under normal circumstances, be able to visit the northern part of the island if the situation indicates that it is necessary.

Neither the Athens Embassy nor the Consulate General in Cyprus have the opportunity to certify/legalize documents issued by so-called “authorities” in the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” as these documents are not recognized by the Norwegian authorities.

Honorary Consulate General of Nikosia
Mitsis Building
1, Stasinou Avenue, Eleftheria Square
Nicosia 1060, Cyprus
Tel: +357 223 49 414
Fax: +357 223 43 149
E-mail: RoyalNorwegianConsulate@mechatronic.com.cy

Travelers are encouraged to register contact information with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Reiseregistrering.no is an offer to travelers to register contact information. In the event of a serious incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the opportunity to send you information by SMS or e-mail.

The risk of terrorist incidents is considered small. Terror can never be completely ruled out, and travelers are generally encouraged to be cautious, especially in public places.

Keep passports, money and cards under your clothes, and not in pockets or backpacks that are easily accessible.

Cyprus has one of the highest traffic accident rates in Europe. If you rent a car, moped or boat, check the condition of the vehicle and that it is fully insured.

There is a risk of earthquakes in Cyprus. Most earthquakes are barely noticeable, but the danger of major earthquakes with major damage is always present.

If there has just been an earthquake, a tsunami can occur. A tsunami is not one big wave, but a series of waves that can come at different times.

Undercurrents in the sea can be strong, so follow the warning on the beaches and use only approved beaches.

Major Landmarks in Cyprus

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

Norwegians need passports to enter Cyprus. Cyprus is not part of the Schengen area. There is freedom of visa between Norway and the Republic of Cyprus.

When traveling with children under the age of 18, Cypriot authorities may require family relationships to be documented. When only one of the parents is traveling with the child, the Cypriot authorities may require a certified authorization from the parent who is not on the trip. If the children are traveling alone, it may be necessary to include a confirmation that the trip and the stay have been approved by the child’s parents or appointed caregivers. A copy of the parent’s passport should be attached to the confirmation. Example of a general confirmation. If you need help or for further information, you can either contact the Honorary Consulate General in Nicosia by email or the Embassy in Athens. Outside opening hours, the UD’s 24-hour operating center can be contacted at: UDs.Operative.Senter@mfa.no.

Persons with a residence permit in Norway do not initially need a visa to enter Cyprus. Please see further information on the Cypriot embassy in Sweden’s website.

If you lose your passport, you may be issued an emergency passport at the Norwegian Consulate in Cyprus. Application for emergency passport requires personal attendance.

Information for the Northern part of Cyprus: Cyprus has been divided since 1974 with a narrow UN-controlled buffer zone between the Republic of Cyprus and the northern part of the island. The Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognized, but has not had control over the northern part of the island since 1974, which is under Turkish-Cypriot rule and Turkish military control. The Turkish-Cypriot administration declared the northern part of the island an independent state in 1983 under the name “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” TRNC, which is recognized only by Turkey. In accordance with UN Resolution 541/1983, Norway does not recognize TRNC.

Cypriot authorities do not allow entry of people who have arrived in Cyprus via the northern part of the island. As a tourist it is possible to cross from south to north. One can be checked on return. Those interested in traveling to the northern part of the island are advised to check their insurance contract before traveling and ensure that the passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Please note that the European Health Insurance Card is not valid in the northern part of Cyprus. Norwegian citizens can cross the “green line” between the north and south by showing a valid Norwegian passport.

Cars rented in the south can be driven in the northern part, but separate additional insurance must be taken out for the period the car is in the north. This can be done at the crossroads. The embassy recommends that you carefully examine what the supplementary insurance covers and does not cover. Always read the insurance terms carefully beforehand.

There are rules on the Cypriot authorities’ website for what can be carried from north to south.

Buying, selling, renting and pledging property without the owner’s permission has been strictly prohibited since October 2006. The maximum penalty is seven years in prison. By “owner” is meant the person who is registered as the owner of the property register of the Republic of Cyprus (including Greek Cypriots who have been internally displaced since 1974).

According to the Republic of Cyprus, 4/5 of the properties in the northern part of the island belong to internally displaced Greek Cypriots. Therefore, those considering buying or using property in the northern part of the island should first examine the property rights carefully and contact the Lands and Surveys Department of the Ministry of Interior in the Republic of Cyprus.

For more information, see: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the website of the Cyprus Tourism Organization

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus. Travelers are advised to regularly follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and directions on how to deal with the situation, and updates that emerge through the media. Information is available on the Cyprus Ministry of Health’s websites (in English) and Cyprus – New corona infection (Covid-19).

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

You can call 1420 if you think you have symptoms of the coronavirus and are in Cyprus.

In order to limit the spread, the Cypriot authorities have introduced a number of measures. On 29 April, Cypriot President Nikos Anastiadis presented a plan for the gradual easing of the measures. The reopening will consist of several stages. You can find information on New Coronavirus disease.

  • There are restrictions on freedom of movement in Cyprus. Everyone traveling outdoors must have a passport or ID, as well as documentation that specifies the reason for leaving home. Information is available on the Covid-19 Citizens Guidelines website.
  • On March 21, a number of restrictions were introduced in air traffic. If you have any questions about your trip, contact your airline. The flight restrictions apply initially until 17 May. More information on the Hermes Airports website.
  • It is not possible to move between the northern and southern parts of Cyprus.
  • Hotel is closed from 21 March.

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Life in Cyprus does not pose any special risk of illness. It is recommended to take out travel and health insurance before leaving. In addition, European health insurance cards that are valid in all EEA countries should be obtained. Please note that the European Health Insurance Card is not valid in the northern part of Cyprus.

There are a good number of public and private hospitals and clinics in the Republic of Cyprus. The standard is generally higher in private hospitals than public hospitals.

A general recommendation is to visit the Institute of Public Health’s websites before traveling abroad. There have been several cases of West Nile fever in Cyprus in recent years. Measures to minimize exposure to mosquito bites are recommended. Use mosquito nets, clothing that covers the body and mosquito repellent – especially at dusk and just before sunrise when mosquitoes are most active.

Practical information

Cyprus time zone is UTC +2 (Norwegian time + 1 hour)
Cyprus power supply is 240 volts. Sockets have three flat plugs. Many hotels lend adapters or they can be purchased in supermarkets.
The telephone network is stable. GSM coverage: 90-95 percent.
Cyprus has summer and winter time on par with Norway.
Emergency telephone: 112
According to allcitycodes, area code for calls from Norway to Cyprus is +357.

The currency unit in Cyprus is the euro. The most common bank/credit cards are accepted. Cards can be used as a means of payment in most places, but be aware that cash as a means of payment is more widespread than in Norway, especially in rural areas. In the northern part of the island you can pay by euro, but exchange money is given in Turkish coin.

National Holidays 2020: January 1 – New Year’s Day, January 6 – Epiphany, March 2 – Introduction of the Lent, March 25 – Greek National Day, April 1 – Cypriot National Day, April 17 – Orthodox Good Friday, April 19 – Orthodox Easter Sunday, April 20 – Orthodox Easter Monday, May 1 – International Workers’ Day, June 8 – Orthodox Pentecost, October 1 – Cypriot Independence Day, October 28 – Greek National Day, December 25 – Christmas Day and 26th. December – Christmas Day.

Opening hours for shops, banks and public offices vary depending on whether they are in the city, in the countryside or in tourist areas. There are different opening hours in the summer and winter, often the shops close during the hottest time of the day between 15.00 and 17.30.

Cyprus does not have trains, but bus and taxi. Maxi taxis offer transport between all cities. Cyprus has left-hand traffic. You can take a boat from Limassol and Larnaca to Greece, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon.

Local languages ​​are Greek in the southern part of the island, and Turkish in the northern part of the island. Most Cypriots speak good English.

It is not allowed to move antiques on the sea floor, or to bring antiques out of Cyprus without special permission. The level of penalties for possession of drugs is high.

When purchasing property, it is recommended to seek qualified legal assistance.