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Cyprus Parliament Approves Special License for Hotels and Tourist Accommodations

Published January 22, 2026, 18:16
Cyprus Parliament Approves Special License for Hotels and Tourist Accommodations

The Cyprus Parliament has passed a bill allowing for the issuance of special operating licenses to hotels and tourist accommodations unable to comply with current legislative requirements. The proposal, approved with 25 votes in favor and 15 abstentions, extends the deadline for securing an operating license by one year, until November 30, 2026, and expands related deadlines. Furthermore, amendments submitted by AKEL were approved, eliminating the requirement for submitting a real estate valuation and a certified auditor's report to obtain the special license. This aims to simplify the process, as many owners struggle to gather the necessary documents. The need for this regulation arose due to the fact that few hotels and tourist accommodations have managed to comply with existing legislation. Failure to find a definitive solution could lead to the closure of many businesses, with negative consequences for the Cypriot economy. The legislation regarding fire safety permits was also amended, increasing the timeframe for the Fire Service to review fire protection studies from 30 days to 6 months and establishing a unified and standardized review process. The validity period of fire safety certificates has been extended from two to three years, with the possibility of renewal for an additional two years.