The Republic of Cyprus has announced that in consideration of the recommendations of the European Council, dated 30 June 2020 on the synchronized and coordinated easing of travel restrictions between European countries and the assessment of countries evaluated by the Infectious Diseases Epidemiological Monitoring and Control Unit of the Health Ministry, the below categorisations which came into effect on 1 August 2020 are extremely dynamic and are subject to frequent changes and continuous emerging information on the Covid-19 virus.

Category A countries that are presently deemed low risk countries are:

European Union Countries: Austria, Germany, Denmark, Greece*, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland

Shengen Area Members:Switzerland, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway

Third Countries:Georgia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea

Travelers from Category A countries are not required to provide a negative RT-PCR test certificate for Covid-19 but are still obligated to complete an application for the CyprusFlightPass 24 hours prior to the departure of their flight. A copy of the application is recommended for inspection on arrival in Cyprus. In addition, it should be noted that passengers could be selected in Cyprus to perform a laboratory test on their arrival at the airport.

*Please note that from 6 August 2020, Greece will be moved to Category B.

Category B countries are considered higher risk countries in comparison to Category A countries:

European Union Countries:Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Netherlands, Czech Republic

United Kingdom

Small states:Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City, San Marino

Third Countries:Australia, Morocco, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, China

Travelers from Category B countries are required to provide a negative RT-PCR coronavirus examination certificate carried out not more than 72 hours before travelling and they need to include the method used, the date of the test and the full name of the passenger. The CyprusFlightPass must also be completed as indicated above for the Category A passengers.

Persons traveling from Category B countries that fall in the below classifications may undertake the coronavirus examination on arrival in the Republic of Cyprus:

  • Cypriot citizens and their family members that reside permanently in the Republic
  • All persons that legally reside in the Republic of Cyprus
  • Those that are eligible according to the Vienna Convention
  • Persons with a special permit in accordance with the Quarantine Law
  • All travelers in which their country of residence does not provide for laboratory testing. The cost of the test will be undertaken by each individual traveler and they will be required to remain at home in self-isolation until the release of the result.

Category C countries are considered increased risk countries that are not included in Category A and Category B. The entry of travelers from Category C countries shall only be permitted under certain preconditions and only to citizens of the Republic of Cyprus (including their family members), legal residents of the Republic of Cyprus, persons under the Vienna Convention and travelers that have obtained special permission to enter the country. These passengers may choose to undertake testing on arrival in the Republic of Cyprus or to have in their possession a negative RT-PCR coronavirus examination certificate that is not carried out more than 72 hours before travelling.

All passengers irrespective of country category are required to complete and submit all information for their CyprusFlightPass 24 hours before departure.

The Cyprus government has also announced that a call center has been made available from 1 August 2020 for telephone calls to (00357) 24841234 and in writing through the e-platform at https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/en/contact-us to answer any queries on the use of the CyprusFlightPass platform.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.