EU citizens - if you have a valid driving licence you may drive legally with it in Cyprus until its expiry as long as you meet the minimum age requirement for driving in Cyprus (18). You may opt to convert your driving licence to a Cypriot licence if you have lived in Cyprus for a minimum of 6 months whereupon your old licence will be returned to the issuing country. Cypriot licences are issued by the Department of Road Transport.

Non-EU citizens - you will find that most non-EU driver's licences are valid for driving in Cyprus however the time limit may vary depending on the issuing country and it is recommended that you consult your nearest consulate or embassy. Some countries also have a reciprocal arrangement with Cyprus and may exchange your licence for a Cypriot licence, again it would be advisable to contact your nearest consulate or embassy for advice.

Right hand drive, used vehicles with either a first registration or purchased in an EU member state -

You will be required to have the following documents -

Registration certificate (indicating that the vehicle’s first registration was in an EU member state)
Invoice or sales contract if the vehicle is not registered to the person importing and registering the vehicle

NB: If the above documents are in a language other than Greek or English, the 'owner' must produce verified translated documents issued by the Press and Information Office (P.I.O., tel. 22801117, communications@pio.moi.gov.cy).

The above documents must be properly stamped at the Stamp Duty Section of the Ministry of Finance (tel. 22 407834, e-mail collnic@ird.mof.gov.cy) and submit all of the above documents to the District Vehicle Examination Centre of the Road Transport Department (R.T.D.) to have a certificate confirming the vehicle’s CO2 emissions.

The 'owner' must ensure that all the appropriate taxes for the importation of the vehicle have been paid according Customs & Excise procedures (tel. 22601753 or 22601748, e-mail headquarters@customs.mof.gov.cy ). Click here for full details on importation regulations.

The 'owner' must apply for a roadworthiness certificate by presenting the vehicle to an authorized Private Vehicle Examination Centre (accompanied with Customs documents and other required documents as described in paragraphs A1-A2 above) for inspection. Provided all paperwork is correct and the vehicle is in proper working condition, a roadworthiness certificate is issued. The owner must then present the vehicle to a District Vehicle Examination Centre of R.T.D. (accompanied with all above documentation) for inspection for registration.

Upon successful completion of above procedures, the 'owner' submits all above documents to one of the Motor Car Registry offices of R.T.D. for registration of the vehicle.

Right hand drive, used vehicles, imported from a country outside the European Union

The 'owner' of the vehicle follows the procedures above.

The 'owner' applies for a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) certificate to an SVA Testing Centre and provided all paperwork is correct and the vehicle is found to be in proper working condition in accordance to the Single Vehicle Approval manual, a SVA certificate is issued.

According to current legislation, vehicles imported from a country outside EU, must be less than 5 years old at the time of arrival in Cyprus, in order to be eligible for registration unless any of the following conditions is met:

a) The 'owner' has been residing permanently in another country and he or she is moving permanently to the Republic. In this case -

Only one such vehicle may be registered to an individual. Only the registered 'owner', spouse and children are eligible to drive the vehicle. The vehicle cannot be transferred to any other person within the first 3 years from the vehicle’s first registration in the Republic. The application for the vehicle’s registration must be submitted within 1 year from the 'owner’s' arrival in the Republic for permanent settlement.

b) The vehicle is eligible for registration as a vintage vehicle according to the following criteria:

The vehicle is over 25 years of age from its first registration or purchase in any country

The vehicle is approved by FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens) authorised representatives and holds a relevant valid certificate and a declaration that the vehicle’s specifications are in compliance with the International Technical Code for vintage vehicles.

Left hand drive vehicles can be registered in the Republic provided that :

Procedure A or B in the previous section above is followed the vehicle and the vehicle is submitted to a test for single vehicle left hand drive vehicles and undergoes any necessary modifications and certificate TOM 139(ß) is issued and is accompanied by any of the following documents:

An approved SVA certificate
A registration certificate from an EU member state indicating proof of EU type approval
Cerificate of Conformity from an EU member state

A minimum of 3rd party insurance is compulsory under Cypriot law. This can be obtained from all insurance brokers. Vehicles legally registered and insured in other EU countries are automatically legally insured in Cyprus.

Road tax is payable on all vehicles in Cyprus. Road tax is calculated on the basis of engine capacity and is charged annually from 1 January to 31 December. Once the tax is paid, a tax disc is placed in the vehicle window.

To obtain a road tax disc, you will require the following :

• A valid Department of Road Transport Vehicle Test Certificate
• Car insurance
• Registration document (log book)

After you have paid the initial road tax on a newly purchased vehicle or newly re-registered used vehicle, you can pay the road tax online and print off the task disk . Click here to renew your road tax online.