Cyprus Times

Cyprus Parliament Approves Special Operating License for Hotels

Published January 22, 2026, 18:12
Cyprus Parliament Approves Special Operating License for Hotels

The Cyprus Parliament has approved the granting of a special operating license to hotels and tourist accommodations that are unable to comply with current legislation. The bill, submitted by DISY MP Kyriakos Hadjigiannis, passed with 25 votes in favor and 15 abstentions, with two amendments from AKEL also approved. The need for this regulation arose due to the difficulty many accommodations face in obtaining the necessary certificates and documents for an operating license, which threatened their operation and would have had negative economic consequences. With the approval of the bill, the deadline for obtaining an operating license is extended by one year, expiring on November 30, 2026. Simultaneously, the deadline for other licensing procedures is also extended by one year. A significant amendment is the removal of the requirement to submit a real estate valuation and a special auditor's report for the issuance of the special license. This had been an obstacle for many accommodations. Furthermore, the timeframe for the Fire Service to review fire safety studies is increased from 30 days to six months, and a unified, standardized review process is also stipulated. Finally, the validity period of the special fire safety certificate is modified to three years with the possibility of renewal for two additional years after inspection.