Is Cyprus Open for Tourists? – Latest Travel Restrictions

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Cyprus first reopened to international travel from some countries in June 2021. Currently, travelers from many countries can enter Cyprus as long as the country they are traveling from is classified as green, orange, or red. Travelers who have a valid proof of full vaccination can enter Cyprus from any country.

All travelers must complete a Cyprus Flight Pass within 48 hours of traveling to Cyprus.

Vaccinated travelers are exempt from testing, quarantining, and obtaining special permission to enter Cyprus from a grey country. Travelers from green countries also do not have to undergo testing or quarantining.

Unvaccinated travelers from orange countries must upload proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure for Cyprus to the Cyprus Flight Pass form.

Is Cyprus Open for Tourists? – Latest Cyprus Travel Restrictions

Unvaccinated travelers from red countries must upload evidence of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of departure for Cyprus to the Cyprus Flight Pass form and pay for and take a molecular PCR test on arrival in Cyprus, which costs 15 euros at Larnaca Airport and 19 euros at Paphos Airport. The arrival test result will be available on an online platform within three hours of testing.

Travelers from grey countries can only enter Cyprus if they are a Cypriot citizen or their family member; are a Cypriot resident; are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen; are allowed to enter Cyprus in accordance with the Vienna Convention; get special permission from the Cypriot government, or are fully vaccinated/recovered from COVID-19.

Unvaccinated travelers who are allowed to enter Cyprus from grey countries must upload proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure for Cyprus to the Cyprus Flight Pass form and self-isolate for 14 days. Alternatively, they can self-isolate for 7 days and take another PCR test at their own expense on day 7 of their self-isolation period.

*Note- this article only covers the entry requirements and coronavirus regulations for the Republic of Cyprus. The so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” in the northern half of Cyprus is not recognized by any country other than Turkey, so if you choose to visit that area, you will have to transit via Turkey or cross the land border in Nicosia*.

Can I travel to Cyprus right now?

You can travel to Cyprus from many countries right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Cyprus at the moment.

CYPRUS - EN

Cyprus COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Cyprus has implemented a traffic light system to classify countries and determine entry restrictions. Entry requirements are also based on travelers’ vaccination status.

All travelers, regardless of their vaccination status or the color classification of the country they are traveling from, must complete a Cyprus Flight Pass within 48 hours of traveling to Cyprus.

If you have a valid proof of full vaccination/recovery from COVID-19, you are exempt from testing, quarantining, and getting special permission to enter Cyprus from a grey country. If you are traveling from a green country, you are also exempt from testing and quarantining to enter Cyprus.

If you are unvaccinated and are traveling from an orange country, you must upload proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure for Cyprus to the Cyprus Flight Pass form.

If you are a Cypriot citizen or resident and you have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by the Cypriot government, cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, or are a minor between the ages of 12 and 15, you do not have to get tested before arriving in Cyprus; instead, you can get tested on arrival in Cyprus at your own expense, but you must self-isolate until you receive a negative result.

Cyprus COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

If you are unvaccinated and are traveling from a red country, you must upload evidence of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure for Cyprus to the Cyprus Flight Pass form. You must also pay for and take a molecular PCR test on arrival in Cyprus (which costs 15 euros at Larnaca Airport and 19 euros at Paphos Airport). The arrival test result will be available on an online platform within three hours of testing.

If you are a Cypriot citizen or resident and you have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by the Cypriot government, cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, or are a minor between the ages of 12 and 15, you can get tested on arrival in Cyprus instead of prior to arrival. You must then self-isolate for at least 72 hours from your arrival and then undergo another PCR test at your own expense. You can end your self-isolation if you receive a negative test result from that second test and submit it online to the Cyprus Flight Pass platform.

Travelers from grey countries can only enter Cyprus if they are a Cypriot citizen/Cypriot citizen’s family member/Cypriot resident/EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen; are allowed to enter Cyprus in accordance with the Vienna Convention; get special permission from the Cypriot government, or are fully vaccinated/recovered from COVID-19.

If you are unvaccinated and allowed to enter Cyprus from a grey country, you must upload proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure for Cyprus to the Cyprus Flight Pass form. You must also self-isolate for 14 days from your arrival or, alternatively, self-isolate for 7 days and take another PCR test at your own expense on day 7 of your self-isolation period. The result of that test must be submitted to the Cyprus Flight Pass platform.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Cyprus

Vaccinated travelers/travelers who have recovered from COVID-19 are exempt from testing, quarantining, and obtaining special permission to enter Cyprus from grey countries. Vaccinated/recovered travelers can enter Cyprus from any country, and the only entry requirement they need to follow is completing a Cyprus Flight Pass within 48 hours of traveling to Cyprus.

For travelers’ proof of vaccination to be considered valid, their vaccination certificate must be for a vaccine that was administered by the public authorities of one of the countries listed above; the vaccine must be a Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria, COVISHIELD, SKBio), Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac), Sinopharm (BBIBPCOVID-19), or Sinovac (CoronaVac) vaccine; travelers must have received all required doses of their vaccine; and the required time frame between administration of the final vaccine dose and travel date must have elapsed (with Johnson & Johnson, 14 days must have elapsed between receipt of the last vaccine dose and the date of travel; with all other vaccines, travelers can travel as soon as they receive all required doses of the vaccine).

Travelers are considered recovered from COVID-19 if they are not traveling more than 180 days after their first positive result and they have an EU Digital COVID Recovery Certificate. Travelers can also qualify as vaccinated/recovered if they have a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate that shows that they have received the first dose of a two-dose approved vaccine and, in addition, have recovered from COVID-19.

More information on requirements for vaccinated/recovered travelers is available here.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Cyprus?

Unvaccinated travelers coming from orange, red, and grey countries must have proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure for Cyprus and upload that proof to the Cyprus Flight Pass form.

Unvaccinated travelers coming from red countries must also pay for and take a molecular PCR test on arrival in Cyprus, which costs 15 euros at Larnaca Airport and 19 euros at Paphos Airport. This arrival test result will be available on an online platform within three hours of testing.

Unvaccinated travelers who are allowed to enter Cyprus from grey countries must take a second PCR test on the 7^th day of their self-isolation period if they decide to self-isolate for 7 days instead of 14 days.

Cypriot citizens/residents traveling from orange and red countries who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by the Cypriot government, cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, or are minors between the ages of 12 and 15 do not have to get tested before arriving in Cyprus. Instead, they can get tested on arrival in Cyprus at their own expense. These travelers from orange countries must self-isolate until they receive a negative result from their arrival test, while travelers from red countries must self-isolate for at least 72 hours from their arrival and then undergo another PCR test.

Vaccinated/recovered travelers, all travelers from green countries and children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing requirements.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Cyprus?

Unvaccinated travelers entering Cyprus from grey countries must either self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival or self-isolate for 7 days and then take a PCR test at their own expense on the 7^th day of their self-isolation period. The result of that 7th-day test must be uploaded to the Cyprus Flight Pass platform.

Vaccinated/recovered travelers, travelers from green countries, travelers from orange countries, and travelers from red countries are not required to quarantine.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Cyprus?

However, Cypriot citizens/residents traveling from orange and red countries who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by the Cypriot government, cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, or are minors between the ages of 12 and 15, and do not have a pre-arrival PCR test result must self-isolate after they get tested on arrival.

These travelers from orange countries must self-isolate until they receive a negative result from their arrival test. These travelers from red countries must self-isolate for at least 72 hours from their arrival and then undergo another PCR test at their own expense. They can end their self-isolation if they receive a negative test result from that second PCR test and submit it online to the Cyprus Flight Pass platform.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Cyprus

Although it is not an entry requirement to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Cyprus, you should still purchase some kind of travel insurance coverage before you travel.

If you’re looking for travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, Heymondo is perfect. Their policies offer a high amount of coverage, particularly for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad, while still being affordable. You can even save 5% on Heymondo insurance with the discount link below.

Other travel restrictions for Cyprus during COVID-19

Cyprus has implemented a few other travel restrictions:

• All travelers must complete a Cyprus Flight Pass within 48 hours of traveling to Cyprus.

• Face masks are required in all public indoor and outdoor venues.

• Social distancing rules must be observed.

• You may need a tourist visa to visit Cyprus. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Cyprus

Cyprus is an ideal place for a relaxing beach vacation. Luckily, beaches, hotels, restaurants, airports, and attractions are all currently open. A “SafePass” (proof of full vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID-19, or a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result from the past 72 hours) is required to enter venues where more than 20 people gather at once, such as restaurants and certain attractions. Tourists can use their Cyprus Flight Pass as a “SafePass” for up to seven days; a US CDC vaccination card or EU Digital Covid Certificate is also acceptable.

Hotels that are open in Cyprus

You should have no trouble finding great accommodation since hotels in Cyprus are open. These are the places we recommend staying while you’re in Cyprus:

• The King Jason Protaras – Designed for Adults
• NissiBlu Beach Resort Ayia Napa
• Four Seasons Hotel Limassol
• Amavi Hotel, MadeForTwo Paphos

Hotels will be subject to frequent disinfection. Guests should wear masks in public areas and keep a 2-meter distance away from others who are not in their household.

Beaches that are open in Cyprus

Dying to catch some rays on a lovely Cypriot beach? Beaches in Cyprus are open, so you can lie in the sun to your heart’s content.

Beaches that are open in Cyprus

Beachgoers must keep two meters away from others who are not part of their household.

Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Cyprus

Attractions, such as archaeological sites and museums, are open and tours are operating in Cyprus.

These are some of the most popular tours in Cyprus:

• Akamas Highlights & Blue Lagoon Daytrip
• East Coast National Park Half-Day Caves Safari
• Taste of Cyprus Daytrip from Paphos

Many attractions may require visitors to have a “SafePass” to enter the attraction. Visitors must wear masks and keep a distance of two meters away from others when at attractions and on tours.

More information on attraction regulations is available here.

Restaurants that are open in Cyprus

Restaurants in Cyprus are open for indoor and outdoor dining.

Restaurants that are open in Cyprus

Customers must have a “SafePass” to enter restaurants. They must also wear masks when entering, walking around, and exiting restaurants. No more than 12 people will be allowed at one table.

More details on restaurant regulations can be found here and here.

Airports that are open in Cyprus

Cyprus’ two international airports, Larnaka and Paphos, are currently open and commercial flights are operating.

Travelers must wear masks and keep a distance of at least two meters away from others. Unvaccinated travelers from red countries and Cypriot citizens/residents coming from orange and red countries who do not have a pre-arrival test will undergo testing on arrival in Cyprus.

Where to get a PCR test in Cyprus – COVID-19 testing in Cyprus

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Cyprus, you can find a list of places to get tested in Cyprus here.

Cyprus reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Cyprus reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Cyprus reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Cyprus, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Cyprus
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Cyprus
• General Cyprus Travel Advisory
• Information on Cyprus’ Entry Requirements
• Current Cyprus Entry Requirements
• Country Color Categories
• Information for Vaccinated/Recovered Travelers
• Cyprus Flight Pass Form/Website
• Cyprus’ COVID-19 Information Website
• Information on the “SafePass”
• Current COVID-19 Measures in Cyprus
• List of Labs that Provide COVID-19 Testing in Cyprus