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Cyprus Travel Guide

Cyprus
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247 passport nationalities researched for entry into Cyprus.

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Guide

Cyprus is in the EU and outside Schengen, and the difference matters at the airport. The EU Entry/Exit System does not run at Larnaca or Paphos, so passports are still stamped by hand, and the Schengen rules that shape most of Europe in 2026 do not apply. Cyprus has targeted Schengen membership, but by mid 2026 officials were saying a political decision was expected around the end of 2026 or early 2027, so that picture could change.

The island is also divided, and the line through it is a real border you can walk across. The Green Line separates the Republic of Cyprus in the south from the north, and visitors can cross at a handful of official points with a passport.

Border crossings

  • Ledra Street and Ledra Palace, on foot in Nicosia

    Both are in the center of the divided capital and can only be crossed by pedestrians, and Ledra Street is the one most tourists use. You show your passport and fill in a separate sheet with your passport details.

  • Ayios Dhometios, the Nicosia crossing for cars

    The only crossing in Nicosia open to vehicles. An EU-funded project added a lane in each direction and a pedestrian pavement, to ease congestion at what is the city's sole vehicular crossing.

  • Astromeritis and Zodia, and Pyla to Beyarmudu

    Two more crossings that are open to both pedestrians and vehicles, connecting the central parts of the island.

  • The Eastern Sovereign Base Area posts

    Black Knight, near Ayios Nikolaos, and Pergamos, near Dhekelia, are the two crossing points in the British base area.

Transit routes

  • Do not fly into the north and try to return south

    Guides warn that entering through unofficial points such as Ercan Airport can be treated by the Republic of Cyprus as an illegal entry, which could complicate crossing back into the south. Cross at an official point from the south if you need both.

  • Bring the passport you entered with

    The crossings are document checks, and the separate sheet you fill in at the crossing point does not replace it.

Entry point notes

  • No EES, no Schengen counting

    Third-country nationals are stamped manually, since the EES does not run at Larnaca or Paphos.

  • Check the entry rules for Cyprus itself

    Cyprus is not in Schengen, so confirm with the Cypriot authorities what your passport needs, instead of assuming Schengen rules carry over.