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Cyprus Parliament Approves Special Operating Licenses for Hotels and Tourist Accommodations

Published January 22, 2026, 19:18
Cyprus Parliament Approves Special Operating Licenses 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 meet current legislative requirements. The proposal, approved with 25 votes in favor and 15 abstentions, includes two amendments submitted by AKEL. The initial proposal was made by Kyriakos Hadjigiannis, a DISY MP, who emphasized the need for regulation due to the difficulty many accommodations face in obtaining the necessary certificates. The lack of a definitive solution would lead to the closure of many businesses, negatively impacting the economy. The new legislation provides a one-year extension for obtaining operating licenses, setting the deadline for November 30, 2026. The deadline for other related procedures is also extended. A significant change is the removal of the requirement to submit a real estate valuation and a certified auditor's report for the special license. This simplifies the process and reduces the administrative burden on owners. Furthermore, the timeframe for the Fire Service to review fire safety studies is increased from 30 days to six months, with the review being conducted in a uniform and standardized manner. Finally, the special fire safety certificate will be valid for three years with the possibility of renewal for two additional years.