European Consumer Centres Network TOURISM IN CYPRUS

European Consumer Centres Network TOURISM IN CYPRUS

European Consumer Centres
Network
TOURISM IN CYPRUS
This brochure will provide you with
information on tourism in Cyprus. You will find
practical
advice
and
important
legal
information covering the different topics. We
have tried to include all the relevant
information concerning traveling to Cyprus
and your stay in Cyprus, however, the
information provided is not fully detailed on all
points and should be considered as a guide
and not as a verbatim statement of the law.
the area of Cyprus, in which the Government of the Republic does
not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied area), is illegal.
Customs Allowances
 There are no limits on what you can buy and take with you
when you travel in EU countries, as long as it is for personal use
and not for resale.
 VAT and duty are included in the price you pay and since these
vary from country to country, you may want to take advantage of
some interesting price differences. For guidance, goods are
considered to be for your own use if you have no more than:
800 cigarettes or
200 cigars or
400 cigarillos or 1 kg of tobacco
Arrival
10 litres of alcoholic beverage or
 Cyprus is a member of the EU and follows the Schengen
Agreement provisions regarding border control. All EU citizens, as
well as citizens from Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and
Norway, do not need a visa to enter Cyprus. They only have to
present their passport or an ID card.
90 litres of wine and
 Before you travel, make sure that your passport is valid or you
will be subject to a fine in case of police inspection.
 The legal ports of entry into the Republic of Cyprus are the
airports of Larnaka and Pafos and the ports of Larnaka, Lemesos
(Limassol) and Pafos, which are situated in the area under the
effective control of the Republic of Cyprus. Any entry into the
territory of the Republic of Cyprus via any other port or airport in
110 litres of beer
20 litre fortified wine (such as port or cherry)
 There is no limit for perfume.
 Tobacco and alcohol allowances are not available to passengers
under 18 years old.
 The luggage allowance for most flights is 20 kilos.
 In the baggage claim area of the airport one can find ATM’s,
telephones, restrooms and luggage carts.
 According to the national law, the importation, possession and
use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly
prohibited.
 The importation of agricultural products or propagating stock,
such as fruit, vegetables, cut-flowers, dry nuts, seeds, bulbs, bulbwood sticks, cuttings, etc., without the approval of the competent
authorities, is prohibited.
Travelling with your Pets
 According to the EU Regulation 998/2003/EC and the relevant
national legislation, the non-commercial entry of companion
animals into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus through the
officially assigned by the government entry posts (airports,
harbours, marinas) is allowed, if they fulfil the relative, for their
country of origin, provisions set forth by the Veterinary Services
of the Republic of Cyprus. In particular:

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The animals should be transported in cages, which
are made in accordance with the IATA
specifications.
Upon arrival, either the Veterinary Officer or the
Customs Officer on duty, on behalf of the
Veterinary Services at the point of entry, inspects
each animal’s accompanying documents.
The animal will be allowed to enter without being
subjected to quarantine, if it fulfils the relative to its
case veterinary provisions.
The veterinary officer in charge decides, according
to the veterinary provisions in force, if the animal to
enter will be subjected to quarantine or enter
without being subjected to quarantine.
Taxis
 The transurban service (shared) taxis, offers the opportunity
to share a taxi with 4-8 other passengers. It provides connection
between all major towns of Cyprus (Lefkosia, Lemesos, Larnaka,
and Pafos), every half hour, Monday to Friday from 06.00-18.00,
Saturday and Sunday from 07.00-17.00. Seats can be booked by
phone and passengers can be collected from and dropped to, at
any place they wish, within the municipal boundaries.
 Rural taxis are allowed to be hired from their base station
only. An exception is permitted, when hiring is made at the
airport or seaport, where the taxi driver must present such
document providing the collection of certain customers.
Taximeters in rural taxis are not installed. Charging commences
upon the entry of a passenger in the taxi as follows:

Tariff I: Single trip (06.00-20.30 hrs) 0, 53 Euro per
km. Return trip 0, 43 Euro per km.

Tariff II: Single trips at night (20:30-06.00) 0, 53
Euro per km. Return trip 0, 60 Euro per km.

For every luggage, weighing more than 31kg, will
be charged at 0, 44 Euro per piece.

Delay or waiting time charge: For tariff I 12, 08
Euro per hour. For tariff II 15, 74 Euro per hour.

Minimum charge: 3, 04 Euro.
 Urban taxis can be booked by phone or be hired from the
street. They are provided with taximeters and charging
commences upon the entrance of a passenger in the taxi.
 We kindly advise you to always ask the taxi driver for a
receipt. This will be very helpful, in case of a problem regarding
charges, or forgotten/missing luggage, since the receipt indicates
all details concerning the taxi driver and the vehicle.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
Police/Fire Brigade/First Aid/Ambulance: 112/199
Police: 22802020
Forest Fire Reports: 1407
Time: 1893/1895
Doctors on Call: 90901432
National Directory Enquiries: 11892
International Directory Enquiries: 11894
International Calls: 80000198
Shopping in Cyprus
 Sale periods last up to 45 working days, but they usually start
earlier with a Ministerial Order.
 During sales periods you have the right to replace defective
goods. Shops can refuse the replacement of your product only if
that was offered in a low price due to defectiveness. Pricing
details should appear clearly on each product label: the old price,
the new price, and the total amount of discount.
 It is most important to always keep your receipt as you will be
asked for it in case of replacement especially during the sales
period. Purchases by credit card should be carefully examined in
terms of transaction. Finally, for products with a large life
expectancy such as electric appliances, you should be provided
with a written warranty.
 Shops are open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 19:00, Wednesday
09:00- 14:00 and Saturday 09:00 – 15:00. They are closed on
Sunday. Opening hours vary depending on the season. Shops in
tourist areas might remain open until late hours.
The European Consumer Centres Network
 Banks are open Monday to Friday 08:30 – 13:30 and from
September to May they are also open from 15:15- 16:45 on
Monday afternoon.
If you, as a foreign consumer, feel you have been mistreated by a
Cypriot professional, the European Consumer Centres will be
pleased to help you reach an amicable settlement of the dispute.
 From September to June, post offices are open Monday to
Friday: 07:30 – 13:30 and 15:00-18:00 (except Wednesdays)
and on Saturdays from 08:30-10:30.
You can find further information and a complete list of all the
centres at:
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/redress/ecc_network/index_en.htm
 In Cyprus, 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged on most
goods and services. Currently, the currency is the Cyprus Pound
but Cyprus will adopt the Euro on the 1st of January 2008.
Methods of payment are cash and credit cards. In case you pay
by credit card you may be asked to show some kind of
identification.
 In Cyprus there are 2 sales periods. Winter sales begin on the
first Monday of February until the fourth Saturday of February.
Summer sales begin from the first Monday of August until the
fourth Saturday of August.
European Consumer Centre Cyprus
6, Andrea Araouzou Street
CY - 1421 Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Phone: +357 22867100/177
Fax: +357 22 375120
E-mail: ecccyprus@mcit.gov.cy
Web: www.ecccyprus.org