CYPRUS

Cypriot banks have now re-opened.  While ATMs, debit and credit cards can be used as normal, temporary controls are in place and withdrawals are limited to €300 per natural person per day and tourists can only take euro or foreign currency notes to the value of €3,000 per natural person per journey out of Cyprus.

Summary

• There is a low threat from terrorism in Cyprus.
• Cyprus has a strict policy of zero tolerance towards drugs. See “Local Laws and Customs”.
• Cypriot driving regulations are similar to those of Ireland and driving is on the left hand side of the road.  See “Road Safety”.
• Before purchasing property anywhere on the island, you are advised to seek independent qualified legal advice.  See “Buying property in Cyprus”. 
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See “Travel Insurance”.

Safety and Security

Cyprus is generally a safe country with a low crime rate.  However you should take normal precautions to ensure that your possessions, especially money, credit cards and documents, are secure.

There is a low threat from terrorism in Cyprus.

·        Road Safety

Short-term visitors and tourists are permitted to drive on an Irish driving licence. Cypriot driving regulations are similar to those of Ireland and driving is on the left-hand side of the road.  Rental cars and scooters are widely available and such vehicles carry distinguishable red number plates. Caution should be exercised on the road network as lane discipline is not always a strong point with Cypriot drivers. You will therefore need to remain alert to cars changing lanes without using their indicators. You should also be vigilant at traffic-light junctions as there is a tendency to jump red lights; a good rule is to wait for about five seconds before moving on a green light. 
You may be heavily fined if you drive without wearing a seat belt or ride a motorbike without wearing 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 car, moped, boat, Jet Ski or other vehicle, check that it is road or sea worthy and that you have appropriate insurance cover and safety equipment.

·        Health
If you need emergency medical assistance during your stay in Cyprus, 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.
There are several private hospitals and clinics in Cyprus that operate private ambulances. We recommend that you always check with the ambulance drivers if they are taking you to a private or state hospital to prevent any potential queries over hospital charges. Your EHIC card will not cover you for private hospitals or clinics.

·        Swimming
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.

·        Travel Insurance
The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before travelling to Cyprus. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Irish Citizens should note that the Irish Government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.
Travellers should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which entitles you to emergency medical treatment in Cyprus. This card is NOT a substitute for travel insurance. Cards are available free of charge from the HSE in Ireland. See www.ehic.ie for further details. The EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid.
Please note that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in the occupied northern part of the island.

·        Health
If you need emergency medical assistance during your stay in Cyprus, 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.
There are several private hospitals and clinics in Cyprus that operate private ambulances. We recommend that you always check with the ambulance drivers if they are taking you to a private or state hospital to prevent any potential queries over hospital charges. Your EHIC card will not cover you for private hospitals or clinics.

·        Cash/Banking
The currency of Cyprus is the Euro. Cyprus takes seriously the possession of fake euro banknotes and checks are made at the majority of retail outlets.  If you are found to be in possession of fake Euro banknotes the Police will be called and you may be prosecuted. 
All major credit cards are accepted in Cyprus.  Those in possession of a Maestro or Cirrus symbol on their debit cards will be in a position to draw funds from their Irish Bank Account.

Local Laws and Customs

·        Cyprus operates a zero policy on the possession of illegal drugs.  Sentencing for possession of even a small quantity of illegal narcotics can result in substantial prison sentences.  Irish tourists are strongly advised to avoid the possession, purchase or importation of illegal narcotics during their stay in Cyprus.

·        Homosexuality is legal in the Republic of Cyprus, although it is not generally as openly accepted as it is in other parts of Europe. In the occupied north of Cyprus, homosexuality is illegal.

·        Entry Requirements
You must hold a valid passport. However, Irish passport holders do not require an entry visa into the Republic of Cyprus. 
You should ensure that your passport is valid for the full duration of your stay. It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times and should never give your passport as security for car, motorbike or quod bike rentals; your passport is essentially a travel document.

·        Local Travel
It is possible to travel to the occupied north of Cyprus from the Republic of Cyprus  by crossing at several checkpoints, including 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. Many cars hired in the Republic of Cyprus are not insured for use in the occupied north. Check this with the insurance company - you will not be allowed through a crossing without the correct insurance documents.
You can avoid having your passport stamped by the authorities in the occupied north by completing the separate white slip provided at the point of entry which will permit you to enter and stay for up to 30 days.
Foreign nationals who have entered Cyprus through the occupied 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 EU (including Irish) citizens for illegal entry if they cross into the south. In practice, their current policy is not to do so.

·        Buying property in Cyprus
Many Irish citizens have purchased properties in the Government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus. As with property transactions in general, potential purchasers should seek local independent legal advice to ensure that the title deeds are clean and that there are no outstanding mortgages on both the property in question and on the land on which it is built; there have been reported cases where, unbeknown to the purchaser, the land on which the purchased house was built was mortgaged to a bank and when the landowner defaulted on the loan the bank sought possession of the land.

Irish citizens considering the purchase of property in the occupied northern part of Cyprus, which is not under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, are strongly advised to seek qualified independent legal advice. This is due to potential claims related to title and ownership from Greek Cypriots displaced from that area in 1974 following the Turkish army invasion, which may lead to serious financial and legal repercussions. Potential buyers may face legal proceedings in the courts of the Republic of Cyprus, decisions of which can be executed elsewhere in the EU, including Ireland. In this respect, the European Court of Justice has recently issued a judgement whereby a Greek Cypriot land owner of property in the occupied north, which was bought by an EU citizen from a third party without his consent, can have judgements by a Cypriot court against those who purchased his property enforced in another EU Member State. In January 2010, the Court of Appeal of England and Wales upheld this judgment against a British couple who purchased a property in the occupied north and now must demolish their home and return the site to the original owner.

Furthermore, there is a Cypriot law making it a criminal offence, with penalties of up to 7 years imprisonment, to purchase, sell, rent, promote or advertise the sale of property in the occupied northern part of Cyprus owned by Greek Cypriots. Any attempt to undertake such a transaction is also a criminal offence under Cypriot law.

Natural Disasters and Climate

·        Cyprus occasionally experiences earth tremors, but these are almost invariably very mild.

·        Cyprus has a subtropical climate with very mild winters and very hot summers.

Additional Country Info

·        Time Zone Cyprus is 2 hours ahead of Ireland; i.e. when it is 9.00am in Ireland it is 11.00am in Cyprus.

·        Emergency Contact Numbers The Emergency number in Cyprus is 112 or 199.  Directory enquires is 11892

·        Electrical Equipment Cyprus uses the same electrical infrastructure as Ireland, so adaptors are not required.

·        Language English is widely spoken throughout the island.  Road signs in the Republic of Cyprus are normally written in both Greek and English.

·        Telephones Irish mobile phones with a roaming facility will operate on the Cypriot network.  The international code for Cyprus is +357.

ASSISTANCE FOR IRISH CITIZENS IN CYPRUS  The Embassy of Ireland to Cyprus is located in Nicosia. The Embassy's contact details are: 

Address:
Embassy of Ireland
7, Aiantos Street,
St. Omoloyites,
1082 Nicosia  (off Demosthenis Severis Ave.)
Main Tel: + 357-22-818183
Fax:           +357-22-660050