Cyprus Reopens for Travel, Announces Entry Requirements

Photo source: @CyprusAeropolis

The Cypriot government has announced that it will implement new Covid-19 entry requirements as of March 1 with the reopening of its airports to visitors from all countries.

As of March 1 Cyprus will place all countries in categories based on a colour code (green, orange, red, grey) and certain rules will be in force for travelers depending on where they are flying from.

The colours for EU countries and the European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) including Switzerland, will be based on the categorization set by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) that includes green, orange or red categories.

Photo source: @CyprusAeropolis

For March, the evaluation of third countries (United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Belarus) as well as of the European Council recommendation list of third countries, will be carried out by the Ministry of Health which will classify them as green, orange, red and grey.

The full list of categorized countries can be found on www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy. Travelers are advised to frequently visit the platform in order to remain up to date about possible changes that may affect their trip.

Entry requirements for travel to Cyprus

‘Green’ countries
Persons traveling from GREEN countries will not need to demonstrate a negative PCR test for COVID-19 when traveling to Cyprus; they only need to provide certain information and solemn declarations.

However, all passengers from GREEN countries upon arrival, only for the March 1-31 period, will undergo a laboratory PCR test, the cost of which will be covered by the Republic of Cyprus. From April 1, there will be no restrictions.

‘Orange’ countries
Persons traveling from ORANGE countries are required to undergo a molecular test at a certified lab, with the sample taken during the last 72 hours prior to flight departure, and upload a certificate that demonstrates a negative PCR for COVID-19, on the ‘Cyprus Flight Pass’ platform (see below). Children below the age of 11.99 are exempted from testing. All travelers will also need to provide certain information and solemn declarations.

The following persons will be allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus and take a lab test on arrival (at their own expense):
1. Cypriot citizens and members of their families (foreign spouses and children)
2. Legal residents of the Republic
3. Passengers entitled to enter the Republic under the Vienna Convention
4. Persons in countries where the authorities duly substantiate and following an announcement by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, are not in a position to offer Covid-19 testing to those wishing to travel.

‘Red’ countries 
Persons traveling from RED countries are required to undergo a molecular test at a certified lab, with the sample taken during the last 72 hours prior to flight departure, and upload a certificate that demonstrates a negative PCR for COVID-19, on the ‘Cyprus Flight Pass’ platform (see below). They will also need to pay for and undergo a molecular PCR test upon arrival to Cyprus (the cost of which is 30 euros at Larnaca airport and 32 euros at Paphos airport); results of the test will be available within 3 hours, and will be shared with the traveler by SMS after his or her departure from the airport. Only children below the age of 11.99 are exempted from testing. All travelers will also need to provide certain information and solemn declarations.

The following persons will be allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus and take a lab test on arrival (at their own expense):
1. Cypriot citizens and members of their families (foreign spouses and children)
2. Legal residents of the Republic.
3. Passengers entitled to enter to the Republic under the Vienna Convention

These persons may choose to undergo only one lab test, namely upon their arrival to Cyprus, but must then remain in a status of obligatory self-isolation for three (3) days. On day 4, they need to undergo a second PCR test for Covid-19, again at their own expense. The result of the lab test must be submitted to the electronic address monada@mphs.moh.gov.cy.

‘Grey’ countries
Persons traveling from GREY countries are required to undergo a molecular test at a certified lab, with the sample taken during the last 72 hours prior to flight departure, and upload a certificate that demonstrates a negative PCR for COVID-19, on the Cyprus Flight Pass Platform.

In addition, they will remain in a status of obligatory self-isolation / quarantine for fourteen (14) days or a status of obligatory self-isolation / quarantine for ten (10) days, provided they undergo another PCR test for Covid-19 on the 10th day, at their own expense. The result of the lab test must be submitted to the electronic address monada@mphs.moh.gov.cy. Children below the age of 11.99 are exempted from testing. All travelers will also need to provide certain information and solemn declarations.

Travel from GREY countries, is allowed only for:
o Cypriot citizens and their family members (spouses and children)
o Persons legally residing in the Republic of Cyprus
o EU citizens, citizens of European Economic Area (Island, Lichtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland
o Persons allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus in accordance with the Vienna Convention
o Citizens of third countries, provided they obtain prior special permission from the Republic of Cyprus, as defined under the Infectious Diseases Decree (N.2/2021 8.1.21), as amended. The application for a Special Permission must be submitted on the Cyprus Flight Pass Platform (https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/en/special.permission).

Note: European Union citizens, citizens of European Economic Area (Island, Lichtenstein, Norway), citizens of Switzerland and citizens of third countries, must undergo a molecular test prior to departure, as stipulated above. The other categories of passengers have the choice of either taking the test prior to their departure or taking it upon entry to the Republic of Cyprus, at their own expense.

Mandatory: ‘Cyprus Flight Pass’ must be submitted

The ‘Cyprus Flight Pass’ is available on the website www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy, which can be accessed and filled in electronically. All passengers traveling to Cyprus need to fill in a ‘Cyprus Flight Pass’ and submit in advance all required information and documents. The use of the platform is obligatory for anyone who wishes to fly to Cyprus.