Despite the improvement of epidemiological situation and ensuing relaxation of travel restrictions, there are still certain sanitary requirements that a traveler must comply with to enter Cyprus.
Effective from 18th of April, a number of important changes have been introduced to facilitate travel to Cyprus. These amendments have affected both the rules for entering the country and staying in it.
Table of contents
- General requirements in Cyprus
- Proof of vaccination
- Proof of recovery
- Negative test result
- Quarantine measure
- Rules of stay
- Ask our experts
1. General Requirements
There are no Covid-19 related restrictions on travel to Cyprus, however, it is required to hold a document attesting that a traveler is protected from Covid-19. Such documents are certifications of vaccination, recovery, or negative test result for Covid-19.
Previously, entry requirements had been determined by the country of origin of a traveler and by the extent Covid-19 had been spread there. On April 18, the Republic abolished the categorization of countries according to their epidemiological situation, which resulted in the unification and simplification of the entry rules.
Now, all the passengers, regardless of their nationality, can enter the Republic of Cyprus from any country, provided they are fully vaccinated or hold proof of recovery. Alternatively, they can present a negative test result for COVID-19.
Travelers are no longer required to fill in and present Cyprus Flight Pass, a local version of Passenger Locator Form.
As far as lockdown policies are concerned, the Cyprus authorities have reduced the number of places where Safe Pass (a local version of Green Pass) and mask wearing is required.
2. Proof of vaccination
To meet the definition of a “fully vaccinated” a traveler must present one of the following:
- EU Digital COVID Vaccination Certificate;
- Equivalent vaccination certificate from third countries* that have joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate System;
- A valid certificate of vaccination issued by the competent Authorities of any third country.
The vaccination certificates of passengers who has a primary series of vaccination is valid if a period of 9 months has not elapsed since the completion of vaccination, otherwise, a traveler has to receive a booster dose.
With the exception of Johnson&Johnson/Janssen vaccine, for which a period of 14 days must have elapsed between the administration of the dose of the vaccine and the date of travel, passengers may travel to the Republic of Cyprus immediately upon completion of the required doses of the accepted vaccines.
Here is the list of vaccines recognized by Cyprus:
- Johnson&Johnson/Janssen;
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzervia, COVISHIELD, SKBio);
- Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Sputnik V (Gam-COVIDVac);
- Sputnik Light (only as booster dose in basic vaccination scheme);
- Sinopharm (BBIBPCOVID-19);
- CovoVax, Sinovac (CoronaVac);
- Covaxin;
- Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19.
3. Proof of recovery
To attest that a person has been previously infected with Covid-19, the following documents are to be presented:
- EU Digital COVID Recovery Certificate;
- Equivalent recovery certificate from third countries that have joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate System;
- A valid certificate of recovery issued by the competent Authorities of any third country.
To be valid, the certificate must indicate that at the travel date no more than 180 days and no less than 7 days have passed since the date of the first positive PCR test result. It is important to bear in mind that if a person has been vaccinated or recovered in countries that have joined the EU Digital COVID Certificate system they are obliged to present a digital form of a certificate.
4. Negative test result
Unvaccinated individuals and those who have not been previously infected with Covid-19 are required to present certification with a negative result of a molecular swab test (PCR) carried out up to a maximum of 72 hours prior to departure, or a rapid antigen test, carried out up to a maximum of 24 hours prior to departure.
5. Are there quarantine measures in place?
Any passenger shall comply with a random testing for COVID-19 upon arrival in the Republic, organized by the local authorities, the cost of such a testing shall be borne by the State.
Those refusing to comply will be placed into mandatory 10-day quarantine, with the cost of transport, accommodation and meals at their own expense.
There is no requirement to quarantine upon arrival, unless, during their stay in the Republic, one is tested positive for Covid-19 or identified as a close contact of someone tested positive. In this case, the government will cover the costs of treatment, lodging and meals for an affected person.
6. Requirements to comply with during your stay
Certain limitations apply to the number of attendees of catering establishments, shops, conferences, and trade fairs. Mass events and gatherings are prohibited. Protective facemask is mandatory for passengers in all means of transport and indoors.
It is required to have a valid EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate (or equivalent) based on vaccination or recovery record or the Safe Pass (a local document) when entering health care facilities, shopping malls, museums, public service premises, or open-air markets and restaurants, conference venues.
In places where SafePass is required, individuals must hold one of the following:
- Certificate of full vaccination not older than 7 months;
- Proof that they have been infected with COVID-19 during the last three months;
- Certificate of a negative PCR test, valid for 72 hours, or rapid antigen test, valid for 48 hours, for individuals aged and at least one dose of the vaccine;
- Certificate of a negative rapid antigen test, valid for 24 hours.
Additional documents may be required as proof that travelers are not permanent residents of Cyprus e.g. a copy of the airline ticket and/or accommodation reservation. Therefore, travelers should at all times carry with them a copy of the aforementioned documents, together with proof of identification (identity card or passport).
It should be noted that the Cyprus government constantly monitor the epidemiological situation in the Republic and should the situation deteriorate, the policies may be changed at short notice.