Alpha News

Parliament Approves Special Operating License for Hotels and Tourist Accommodations

Published January 22, 2026, 18:26

The Parliament approved a bill allowing the issuance of special operating licenses for hotels and tourist accommodations that cannot comply with current legislative requirements. The proposal passed with 25 votes in favor and 15 abstentions, with the approval of two amendments submitted by AKEL. The need for this regulation arose due to the fact that few hotels and accommodations have managed to obtain an operating license due to difficulties in securing the necessary certificates. The lack of a solution would lead to the closure of many businesses, with negative consequences for the economy. The proposal provides a one-year extension for obtaining an operating license, with a new deadline of November 30, 2026, and modifies the requirements for issuing the license, such as the submission of a real estate valuation and a special auditor's report. It also facilitates the process of reviewing fire protection studies by the Fire Service.