Civil Marriage
For contracting civil marriage in Cyprus one must apply personally to the Marriage Officer at the Municipality of their choice for the necessary prior formalities.
A marriage can be celebrated either:
(a) by giving notice of marriage or,
(b) by applying for a special licence.
In case of notice, the parties to be married have to stay in Cyprus about 20 days.
Prescribed fee: C£75,00
In case of emergency however, a special licence can be obtained from the Marriage Officer:
Prescribed fee: C£165,00
Parties to be married should be in possession of:
- Legal identification documents and certificates
- Evidence that they are free to marry.
Detailed information may be obtained directly from any Municipality or from the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, P.O.Box 22033, CY 1516 Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Tel : +357 22 66 91 50
Fax: +357 22 67 72 30
email: endeky@cytanet.com.cy
website: www.ucm.org.cy
Visas and Permits
A: Valid Passport without visa, for bona fide tourists is required for a stay of up to 90 days for nationals of: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holy See (State of the Vatican), Honduras, Hong-Kong Special Administrative Region (the exemption concerns only the holders of HKSAR passports), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea South, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao S.A.R. (the exemption concerns only the holders of Macao S.A.R. passports), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Note: Further to the above, citizens from countries of the European Union, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway may enter Cyprus with their National Identity card or a travel document, provided it bears a photo of the holder and the nationality is clearly stated.
B: Other Countries with valid passport with visa.
Note 1: Collective passports admitted. Visas required except if the holder belongs to a country mentioned at A above.
Note 2: Transit visas for a stay of up to 5 days in Cyprus are not required if the holder is a citizen of a country mentioned above. Citizens of other countries, except Iraq and Turkey, may obtain transit visas for a stay of up to 5 days upon arrival provided their case is considered bona fide and they are in possession of onward tickets and visas for their country of destination where such visas are required. Citizens of Iraq and Turkey require prior visas issued by the Migration Officer, Ministry of the Interior, CY 1457 Lefkosia (Nicosia).
Note 3: Applications for visa should be made to Diplomatic Missions of the Republic or if none, to the nearest British Consulate.
Note 4: Free visa for nationals of Arab Republic of Egypt, Syrian Arab Republic and Ukraine. Fee for visas: C£5,00, Transit visas: Free.
Note 5: Persons entering as visitors are not allowed to take up any form of employment or engage in business. Persons wishing to enter Cyprus for employment or business as well as for studies should be in possession of entry permits prior to their departure for Cyprus.
Note 6: For any further information regarding Passports and visas please apply to the Migration Department, CY 1457 Lefkosia. Tel: 357 22 80 44 20/21, 22 80 44 01, Telefax: 357 22 67 69 44.
e-mail: migration@crmd.moi.gov.cy
Note 7: Travelers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus may enter the Republic only through the legal ports of entry: Larnaka and Pafos International Airports, or the ports of Larnaka, Lemesos (Limassol) and Pafos. The Ports of Ammochostos (Famagusta), Keryneia and Karavostasi, as well as the airports in the part of the Republic illegally occupied by the Turkish invasion forces have been declared by the Government as prohibited ports of entry and exit and no passenger should enter or leave the Republic through these ports
Health and Safety
Medical Services and Hospitals Dialysis Units
Medical care-needs in Cyprus are met through:
1. Government General Hospitals
2. Private Clinics/Hospitals
Government General Hospitals and Private clinics/hospitals are mostly concentrated in urban areas, while health centres, subcentres, and dispensaries function in the rural areas, providing a network to meet the medical needs of the whole population.
All Government General Hospitals as well as some private clinics have Accident and Emergency Departments for emergency cases. (See also title “Emergencies”).
Medical treatment and assistance is offered free of charge to international tourists in case of health emergencies at the Accident and Emergency Department of Government Hospitals/Institutions. Out-patient and in-patient treatment is provided against payment of the prescribed fees. Holiday-makers can also make use of their health insurance, which covers medical expenses, provided that this insurance covers the length of their stay on the island.
Almost all brands of manufactured medicines are available in Cyprus. Local newspapers list pharmacies which are open during the night and on weekends/holidays, as well as the names of doctors who are on call on weekends/holidays.
Information on private doctors on call on weekends / holidays is given by the following telephone numbers:
Ammochostos - 1433
Larnaka - 1434
Lefkosia - 1432
Lemesos - 1435
Pafos - 1436
Most hotels make arrangements for Medical services for their guests upon request.
The majority of doctors are English speaking.
Private doctors’ visiting hours (on weekdays) : 09:00-13:00 hrs and16:00-19:00 hrs.
FOOD SAFETY AND DRINKING WATER QUALITY
In Cyprus the safety of food and drinking water quality is monitored by the Health Inspectors of the Medical and Public Services of the Ministry of Health and the Local Authorities. Food and drinking water are of high quality, absolutely safe and no food or water-bore diseases occur.
Water is safe to drink in Cyprus, as water pollution is negligible and every home has fresh running drinking-water.
All the District Water Boards are in constant collaboration with the Government Health Services and the General Laboratory for the prevention of any toxicological and bacteriological infection of water in Cyprus.
Tap-water in hotels, restaurants, public premises, etc., is safe to drink.
Cyprus is also free from dangerous infectious diseases. No vaccination requirements for any International Traveler.
Climate
Climatic conditions in Cyprus can be termed as excellent from a health point of view. Therefore, the climate is ideal for holiday travelers throughout the year.
DRUGS - PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES - NARCOTICS
According to Cypriot Law, the Importation, Possession and Use of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, is strictly prohibited.
Health Food Stores with a wide range of high quality health food and health-care products and cosmetics are to be found in almost all towns. Furthermore various health food items and health-care products are found in Pharmacies and also in large supermarkets, all over the island.
Business and Shopping Hours
PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS
Winter Period (September 1 - June 30)
Monday - Friday: 07:30 - 14:30
Thursday: 07:30 - 14:30, 15:00 - 18:00
Summer Period (July 1 - August 31)
Monday - Friday: 07:30 - 14:30
SHOPPING HOURS
Winter Period (November 1 - March 31)
Mon, Tue, Thu : up to 19:00 hrs
Wednesday : up to 14:00 hrs
Friday : up to 20:00 hrs
Saturday : up to 15:00 hrs
Summer Period (April 1 - October 31)
Mon, Tue, Thu : up to 20:30 hrs
Wednesday : up to 14:00 hrs
Friday : up to 21:30 hrs
Saturday : up to 17:00 hrs
Summer afternoon recess Mon, Tue, Thu and Friday (June 15-August 31) from 14:00-17:00 hrs
OFFICES HOURS
September 15 - May 31
Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 18:00
June 1 - September 14
Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 19:00
Emergency Information
In case of emergency, immediate response is given by the following telephone numbers, where English is spoken:
ALL OVER THE ISLAND
Ambulance: 199, 112
Fire Service: 199, 112
Police: 199, 112
Night Pharmacies: 192
or automatic recording for:
Lefkosia 1402
Lemesos 1405
Larnaka 1404
Pafos 1406
Ammochostos 1403
AIDS Advisory Centre: +357 22 30 51 55
NARCOTICS Emergency Service: 1401
Hospitals:
Lefkosia General Hospital: +357 22 80 14 00, 22 80 14 75 (Accidents & Emergency)
Lemesos General Hospital: +357 25 80 11 00, 25 30 57 70
Larnaka General Hospital: +357 24 80 05 00, 24 80 03 69
Pafos General Hospital: +357 26 80 32 60, 26 30 61 00
Paralimni Hospital: +357 23 82 12 11
Polis Hospital: +357 26 32 14 31
Kyperounta Hospital: +357 25 53 20 21
Electricity - Voltage
The supply in Cyprus is 240 volts, a.c. 50Hz. Sockets are usually 13 amp, square-pin in most buildings.
More than one low current rating appliance may be operated from the same supply point, by using an adaptor (i.e. radios, electric clocks etc.).
The use of adaptors for operating high current rating appliances is not recommended (i.e. electric heaters, toasters, irons etc.).
Many hotels provide adaptors upon request from the Reception.
Adaptors can be purchased from electricians, supermarkets, grocery shops, etc., at approximately C£1,50.
Cyprus Public Holidays
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 6: Epiphany Day
Variable: Green Monday (50 Days before Greek Orthodox Easter)
March 25: Greek National Day
April 1: Greek Cypriot National Day
Variable: Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church)
Variable: Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church)
May 1: Labor Day
Variable: Pentecost-Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood)
August 15: Assumption
October 1: Cyprus Independence Day
October 28: Greek National Day (Ochi Day)
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Boxing Day
Notes: All Public Services, private enterprises, banks and shops are closed on Public Holidays. In resort and coastal areas, however, shops and certain services remain open. Banks are closed on Easter Tuesday but not on Dec. 24.
