Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should continue.

 

Crime

 

Crime against tourists is not common, but you should keep passports, money and other valuables safe. Room safes and hotel safety deposit boxes have been targeted previously.

 

Personal attacks, including sexual assaults, are infrequent but they do occur. Be alert to the possible use of ‘date rape’ and other drugs including ‘GHB’ and liquid ecstasy. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times to make sure they are not spiked. Female travellers should be particularly watchful. If you drink, know your limit; drinks served in bars are often stronger than those in the UK. Avoid splitting up from your friends, and don’t go off with people you don’t know.

 

Local travel

 

It is possible to travel to the north of Cyprus from the south (and back again), including via the Ledra Palace and Ledra Street checkpoints in central Nicosia where you can cross by foot. If you intend to take a hire car to the north, the main crossing in Nicosia is Agios Dometios.

 

Cyprus immigration authorities have confirmed that EU passport holders with a ‘TRNC’ stamp in their passport will not experience difficulties when re-entering the south. You can take a hired car through some of the checkpoints. Many cars hired in the south are not insured for use in the north. Check with your insurance company - you will not be allowed through a crossing without the correct insurance documents. At some of the crossing points it is possible to buy car insurance for the north. There are controls on the quantities and types of goods that can be bought in the north and brought into the south, including from the bicommunal village of Pyla in the buffer zone. Goods, including cigarettes, may be confiscated at the checkpoint and you may be fined. The Republic of Cyprus currently imposes a limit of 40 cigarettes per person on crossing the Green Line from north Cyprus.

 

Anyone with documents relating to the purchase of property in northern Cyprus when crossing the Green Line could face criminal proceedings.

 

EU and other foreign nationals who have entered Cyprus through the north are considered by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to have entered Cyprus through an illegal port of entry. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus reserves the right to fine you for illegal entry if you cross into the south, but in practice, the current policy is not to do so.

 

Road travel

 

Short-term visitors and tourists can drive using an EU driving licence. Cypriot driving regulations are similar to those in the EU and driving is on the left.

 

Driving standards are poor. In 2013 there were 41 road deaths in Cyprus.

 

You may be fined if you drive without a seat belt or ride a motorbike without a crash helmet. Heavy fines also apply if you use a mobile telephone or are under the influence of alcohol while driving. When hiring a vehicle, check that it is roadworthy and that you have appropriate insurance cover and safety equipment. 

 

Swimming and water sports

 

Bathing is generally safe, but you should be aware of strong seas and undertows. Always comply with warning signs and swim only from approved beaches.

 

If you hire a boat or jet-ski, check that it is in good condition and that you have appropriate insurance cover and safety equipment.

 

Political situation

 

Minor demonstrations have taken place in response to the government’s economic reforms. You should avoid all demonstrations and follow the advice given by local security authorities.

 

The Republic of Cyprus is a full member of the EU, but the country remains divided by the Green Line which separates the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ from the rest of the island. 

 

Health

Contact your doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. 

 

If you’re visiting Cyprus you should get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving your home country. The EHIC isn’t a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but it entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Cypriot nationals. The EHIC won’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment, so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

 

Money

 

The currency of Cyprus is the Euro.

 

If you are found with fake euro banknotes the police will be called and you may be prosecuted. Several foreign nationals have been convicted and imprisoned for possession of fake euros. There are some simple checks you can make before accepting notes:

 

The front of a euro note bears the initials of the European Central Bank in five different languages. They should look like this: BCE ECB EZB EKP, in that order.

They should have a raised print, a watermark, a security thread and a see-through number.

If you tilt the banknote, you should see a shifting holographic image.

On the back of €5, €10 and €20 notes you should see a glossy strip and on the larger denominations, a number that changes colour.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Cyprus has a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy towards drugs. If you are caught with any type of narcotic you will receive either a prison sentence or a hefty fine. The rules against possession of drugs are stricter than in otter EU countries.

 

Avoid taking photographs near potentially sensitive areas like military establishments.

 

Homosexuality is legal in the Republic of Cyprus, although it is not generally as widely accepted as it is in the other parts of the EU. In the north of Cyprus homosexuality was decriminalised in January 2014.

 

Consular assistance

 

British Citizens

 

British High Commission Nicosia

Alexander Pallis Street 

PO Box 21978

Nicosia

1587

Cyprus

 

Email brithc.2@cytanet.com.cy

 

Telephone +357 22 861100

 

Fax +357 22 861125

 

British nationals who need emergency assistance outside normal office hours should call +357 22 861 100 where they will be given details on how to proceed and how to contact a duty officer if needed.

 

Alexander Pallis Street - Tuesday, 09:30 to 12:30; Thursday (if appointments are full on Tuesday), 09:30 to 12:30

Mehmet Akif Street - Wednesday, 09:30 to 12:30; Friday (if appointments are full on Wednesday), 09:30 to 12:30

 

American Citizens

 

E-Mail: consularnicosia@state.gov

 

Mail: Consular Section, Embassy of the United States of America, P.O. Box 24536, Nicosia, Cyprus

 

Telephone: 357 22 39 39 39

 

The telephone hours are between 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Fax: 357 22 39 33 44

 

Canadian Citizens

 

Address        

Canadian Consulate in Nicosia, Cyprus

 

Margarita House 15

15 Themistocles Dervis Street, 4th Floor, Office 402

1066 Nicosia

P.O.Box 22125

1517 Nicosia

Cyprus

 

Telephone(+357) 22 77 55 08

                  (+357) 22 83 31 47

 Telefax(+357) 22 77 99 05

 E-mail:rita.severis@consulcanada.com.cy

 Office Hours09.00-15.30

 Head of Mission Dr Rita C. Severis, Consul

 

Scandinavian Citizens:

 

ROYAL NORWEGIAN HONORARY CONSULATE GENERAL IN CYPRUS

1 Constantinou Paleologou Street, Tryfon tower, 7th floor, office G1, 

1011 Nicosia

Tel: +357 2234 9414

Fax: +357 2234 3149

E-mail: norsk.kons@mechatronic.com.cy

 

EMBASSY  OF SWEDEN

9, Arch. Makarios III Avenue

Severis Building 2nd floor

1065 Nicosia

 

Postal address

Embassy of Sweden

PO Box 216 21

Cy 1511 Nicosia

 

Phone, fax, email:

Tel: +357 22 458 088

Fax: +357 22 374 522

E-mail: ambassaden.nicosia@gov.se

 

Visiting hours:

Monday–Friday 09.00-12.00

Passport issues only Tuesday and Thursday 09.00-12.00

 

Office hours:

Monday–Tuesday and Thursday-Friday 8.00-12.30, 13.00-16.00

 

Wednesday 08.00-12.30, 13.00-16.30

 

May-October

 

Monday-Thursday 08.00-12.30, 13.00-16.30

 

Friday 08.00-13.30

 

Embassy of Denmark, Nicosia

 

34 Demosthenis Severis Avenue

1st floor, 1080 Nicosia

Postal address:

Royal Danish Embassy

P.O. Box 23322, 1681 Nicosia

Tel +357 22 37 74 17

Fax +357 22 37 74 72

nicamb@um.dk

http://cypern.um.dk

 

Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 09.00 - 15.00

 

Finnish Embassy, Nicosia

 

Visiting address 

9, Arch. Makarios Avenue,

Severis Building, 2nd floor

1065 Nicosia

 

Postal address

Embassy of Finland

P.O.BOX 21438

1508 Nicosia

Cyprus

 

Tel.+357-22-458 020

Fax:+357-22-447 880

E-mail: sanomat.nic@formin.fi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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