Covid19 Cyprus Entry Requirements (Historical)
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Historical Covid-19 North & South Cyprus Entry Information
Last Update: This page is no longer updated. It is here for historical purposes. For the current page that gives most up to date info, please click here to read the main page for Covid-19 North & South Cyprus Entry Information
Table of Sections:
Significant Updates, Noteworthy News & Preface
Terminology & Timing Tips
Common Policies of North and South Cyprus
Policy of North Cyprus
Policy of South Cyprus
Policy Summary For UK Passengers
Policy of Turkey
Getting PCR Tests In Cyprus.
Sources For Review In Detail
1- Significant Updates, Noteworthy News & Preface
June 2022: In both North and South Cyprus, most Covid restrictions have stopped. Vaccinated persons only need their vaccination proof. Those not vaccinated need a PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test 24 hours prior to arrival. Vaccine cards or PCR / antigen tests for the non-vaccinated are the only items checked at the border crossings. Masks are not used. No quarantines, no apps, no passenger locator forms (Guvende Kal / Cyprus Flight Pass).
This page is up to date as of and around the last update date shown above. We will keep monitoring for significant updates which are happening less frequently now with life going back to normal and Cyprus abandoning restrictions gradually. The information on this page is a careful analysis and summary of our understanding based on the information obtained from sources listed at the end of the page as well as local news sources and contacts. This page is not an official page. It is an effort by High Life Hotel to provide as clear info as possible.
A special note: If you find this page useful, the best compliment you can give us is to consider a stay at High Life in Kyrenia, North Cyprus. Join our WhatsApp group for alerts when there are significant policy changes. Click on the WhatsApp Icon.
2- Terminology & Timing Tips
Calculate the following based on your arrival time to destination border. Not departure time from origin. These timing recommendations are on the conservative side be be safe.
24 Hours for Antigen Tests
48 Hours for PCR Tests, South Cyprus Flight Pass & Passenger Locator Forms
72 Hours for N. Cyprus Digital Travel Document via the app or www.guvendekalkktc.com
North Cyprus means Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
South Cyprus means Republic of Cyprus.
Threshold number of days is the number of past days considered when checking where you have been prior to the time of arrival at a port. 10 to 14 days.
Guvende Kal / Stay Safe Digital Travel Document: The form / process necessary to complete to create a passenger locator form to enter North Cyprus. Similar to the UK’s Passenger Locator Form.
Cyprus Flight Pass: The form / process necessary to complete to create a passenger locator form to enter South Cyprus. Similar to the UK’s Passenger Locator Form.
Vaccinated / Recovered means:
For both North and South Cyprus: Received the booster dose of major vaccinations in circulation such as Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Sputnik, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Covaxin.
For North Cyprus:
Recovery from Covid-19 must be within the last 30 - 180 days and with a positive PCR.
For South Cyprus:
Certificate of vaccination, certificate of recovery by the competent Authorities of any third country, a European or equivalent from Digital COVID Vaccination or Recovery Certificate.
Travelers considered fully vaccinated only if a period of 270 days (9 months) has not elapsed, after administration of sufficient doses.
Persons are considered to be recently recovered from COVID-19, 10 days after testing positive and for a period of 180 days.
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3- Common Policies of North and South Cyprus
2 May 2022: In both North and South Cyprus, most Covid restrictions have stopped. Vaccinated persons only need their vaccination proof. Those not vaccinated need a PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test 24 hours prior to arrival. Vaccine cards or PCR / antigen tests for the non-vaccinated are the only items checked at the border crossings. Masks are not used outdoors and select indoor establishments require them. No quarantines, no passenger locator forms (Guvende Kal / Cyprus Flight Pass).
Land Border Status for the Locals prior to 18 April 2022:
If you have been outside of the entire island within the last threshold number of days, please see general entry requirements. Otherwise you are considered local.
Requirements for crossings the border back and forth are as follows:
Fully vaccinated persons: No tests. No quarantines. Just valid vaccination proof.
Not vaccinated persons: Either an antigen test within the last 48 hours or a PCR test within the last 72 hours..
Test results must be in printed form and in a language comprehensible by either community, including English, including the name of the person crossing the checkpoint, along with his/her ID number or passport number.
4- Policy of North Cyprus
2 May 2022: In both North and South Cyprus, most Covid restrictions have stopped. Vaccinated persons only need their vaccination proof. Those not vaccinated need a PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test 24 hours prior to arrival. Vaccine cards or PCR / antigen tests for the non-vaccinated are the only items checked at the border crossings. Masks are not used outdoors and select indoor establishments require them. No quarantines, no passenger locator forms (Guvende Kal / Cyprus Flight Pass).
Local Restrictions Status prior to 18 April 2022:
Life feels back to normal. Loosely enforced restrictions in place. Masks required in most indoor places. Vaccination / test status checked on entry to some establishments..
Arriving to North Cyprus prior to 18 April 2022:
There are 3 key areas of information to be aware of when planning to enter into North Cyprus. Please review all of the following sections for full info. All rules are applicable even if you are crossing the border from South to North, unless you have been only in Cyprus for the last threshold number of days.
Guvende Kal / Stay Safe process to create a Digital Travel Document.
PCR Test Requirements info to identify if you need a PCR.
Quarantine Requirements info to identify if you need to quarantine.
Guvende Kal / Stay Safe process:
Entries to North Cyprus EITHER require a Digital Travel Document using Guvende Kal / Stay Safe app OR for those without a smart phone, completion of the form at https://www.guvendekalkktc.com/en/travel-code/register where the resulting document can be presented as a print on paper at the border.
Guvende Kal / Stay Safe app is available on major app stores.
If you encounter an error during the app process such as not receiving registration or payment follow up codes, then default to the process for those without a smart phone. Take screen shots of where your process was disrupted and bring it to the attention of the staff at the port.
Citizens of the Republic of Turkey can upload their HES codes, vaccination documents and PCR test results to the Digital Travel Document.
It is recommended that passengers must keep the uploaded PCR and vaccine information with them digitally and as a printout for backup.
You must complete the form 48 hours prior to arriving at North Cyprus Border.
PCR Test Requirements:
Vaccinated / Recovered: No tests required prior to arrival.
Not Vaccinated . Not Recovered: A PCR within the last 72 hours or rapid antigen within the last 24 hours. A PCR test 72 - 120 hours after arrival.
Quarantine Requirements:
Vaccinated / Recovered: No quarantine.
Not Vaccinated . Not Recovered: No quarantine.
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5- Policy of South Cyprus
2 May 2022: In both North and South Cyprus, most Covid restrictions have stopped. Vaccinated persons only need their vaccination proof. Those not vaccinated need a PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test 24 hours prior to arrival. Vaccine cards or PCR / antigen tests for the non-vaccinated are the only items checked at the border crossings. Masks are not used outdoors and select indoor establishments require them. No quarantines, no passenger locator forms (Guvende Kal / Cyprus Flight Pass).
Local Restrictions Status prior to 18 April 2022:
Life feels somewhat back to normal. Moderately enforced restrictions in place. Masks required in indoor places. Vaccination / test status checked on entry to most establishments..
Arriving to South Cyprus prior to 18 April 2022:
All arrivals must complete the Cyprus Flight Pass within 48 hours prior to their flight departure.
All arrivals fall within one of two categories: Vaccinated or Not Vaccinated. For the definition of the categories please see terminology section.
Vaccinated / Recovered.
Cyprus Flight Pass.
No tests prior to or after arrival.
No quarantine.
Not Vaccinated . Not Recovered.
Cyprus Flight Pass.
A color-coded system, Green - Red - Grey, is in effect for the non vaccinated based on ECDC maps. Must meet the requirements of the corresponding color category in which the country of departure is categorized, and the requirements may include one or more of the following:
PCR test 72h or antigen rapid test 24h prior to departure (traveler-paid).
PCR test upon arrival to Cyprus (traveler-paid).
Mandatory 14-day self-isolation upon arrival for countries shown as grey on ECDC maps or for third countries which are not included on ECDC maps, where a separate evaluation is carried out by Cyprus authorities. The Grey Category of the Republic of Cyprus concerns countries where not enough information is available and thus requires obtaining special permission for travel to Cyprus.
For further information on colors and categories please see the following links:
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6- Policy Summary For UK Passengers
2 May 2022: In both North and South Cyprus, most Covid restrictions have stopped. Vaccinated persons only need their vaccination proof. Those not vaccinated need a PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test 24 hours prior to arrival. Vaccine cards or PCR / antigen tests for the non-vaccinated are the only items checked at the border crossings. Masks are not used outdoors and select indoor establishments require them. No quarantines, no passenger locator forms (Guvende Kal / Cyprus Flight Pass).
Prior to 18 April 2022 the purpose of the following sections were to give a snap shot of all requirements applicable to those coming from the UK, and what they need during a return journey.
Arriving to North and South Cyprus
Returning Back to the UK
General information
Arriving to North and South Cyprus prior to 18 April 2022::
Vaccinated / Recovered:
North Cyprus:
Guvende Kal / Stay Safe Digital Travel Document.
No quarantine.. No tests required prior to arrival.
South Cyprus:
No Cyprus Flight Pass.
No quarantine.
No tests prior to arrival.
Not Vaccinated / Not Recovered:
North Cyprus:
Guvende Kal / Stay Safe Digital Travel Document.
A PCR within the last 72 hours or rapid antigen within the last 24 hours. Another test post arrival.
South Cyprus:
No Cyprus Flight Pass.
Must undergo a PCR laboratory test within 72 hours prior to departure or a rapid antigen test within 24 hours prior to departure.
Returning Back to the UK
You do not need to complete a UK passenger locator form before you travel, take any COVID-19 tests or quarantine when you arrive in England. This applies whether you are vaccinated or not. For more info see UK Travel Guidance Site.
7- Policy of Turkey
Please review the following links for travel to Turkey, including from North Cyprus or to transit via Turkey. Since January 10, 2022, passengers transiting via Turkey do not need to follow any Turkey specific requirements, since they are not entering Turkey. North Cyprus entry rules apply. For more details please review this link.
8- Getting PCR Tests In Cyprus
In North Cyprus, while there are no appointment Antigen and PCR test centers available in several locations run by the government, there is a much easier method to get one, without long lines. Steps are:
Get an appointment via https://basvuru.lab.gov.ct.tr/?signup=true
Go to your selected lab within the next 3 days.
In South Cyprus, besides government backed centers, Cyprus Flight Pass government web site provides information on where else one may be able to get Antigen and PCR tests. Please see https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy/en/private-labs
In North Cyprus, test costs start around 200 TL.
In South Cyprus, test costs start around 50 Euros per the info we received.
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9- Sources For Review In Detail
1- North Cyprus ● Ministry of Health, North Cyprus
2- North Cyprus ● North Cyprus Covid-19 Info
3- North Cyprus ● Stay Home (Evde Kal)
4- South Cyprus ● Ministry of Health, South Cyprus
5- South Cyprus ● South Cyprus Flight Pass website
6- South Cyprus ● South Cyprus Flight Pass Country Categories
7- UK ● UK Foreign Travel Advice
9- UK ● Guidance: Private providers of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
11- Turkey Travel Rules by Turkish Airlines, sent via email pre-departure
12- Turkey ● Turkish Airlines Announcements
13- Turkey ● Turkish Airlines Travel to Turkey Info
14- Turkey ● Turkish Airlines Global Covid Entry Rules Site