Cyprus
Last update 07 April 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Republic of Cyprus
Embassy of Bulgaria in Nicosia
Address: 13, Konstantinou Paleologou, 2406, Engomi, Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22672740; +357 22672486
Fax: +357 22676598
Out-of-hours hotline: +357 97 77 79 45
Consular Service
Office hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, 09.00 -12.45 h; Wed, 13.15 - 17.00 h
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/cyprus
Mr. Vakis Louis Loizou
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria
11, Limesos Ave.
Louis Group
2112 Nicosia
Tel.: (+357) 22 588 320
Mobile: (+357) 99 664 782
Fax: (+357) 22 589 080
Email: [email protected]
Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Bulgaria
Address: 1164 Sofia, 1 “Plachkovitza” str. and “James Bourchier” Blvd. app. 1
Telephone: +359 2 961 7730; +359 2 961 7731
Fax: +359 2 862 9470
Office hours: 08.00 - 15.30 h
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
general information
Local currency
Euro (EUR)
Crime and security
Crime tare in Cyprus is relatively low. The majority of cases concern the theft, burglaries, robberies and other crimes against property.
In recent years, increased crime associated with organised crime is on the rise - drug trafficking, human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation, illegal immigration.
Problem for the island are cases of violence (domestic, school) and sports hooliganism.
Special attention is paid to crimes related to trafficking of minors, their sexual exploitation, filming and dissemination of pornographic material and violence against minors.
In recent years, there has been a rising trend in the number of offenses related to the importation, possession and distribution of drugs. Cyprus holds one of the top places in mortality due to drug use.
The island is defined as a transit point and part of the air routes for trafficking in heroin and hashish to Europe, mainly from Lebanon and Turkey.
A large part of violence in Cyprus can be explained with the actions of organised crime. Sporadic bombings, shootings, arson and murder were registered in the period 2009-2011. These crimes are the result of conflicts between rival gangs engaged in illegal activity such as drugs and gambling.
Typically, the island is used as a “first stop” for immigration flows. Trafficking in illegal immigrants and organised human trafficking goes mainly via the occupied territories.
Legislation specifics
The Republic of Cyprus does not recognise documents issued by the administration of the so-called. “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”.
A note verbale of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Reg. № A.6.15.18.23/25.04.2006 circulated to all diplomatic missions accredited in the country, states that the purchase and acquisition of property in occupied territories of the island is considered illegal.
This reaction of the Cypriot authorities is dictated by the common practice of advertising and selling land or property to foreigners residing in the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. The document stresses that four fifths of the land north of the “green line” are owned by Greek-Cypriots, forcibly expelled from these territories and ownership documents acquired by foreign citizens will be seized in case they visit the territories controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, to be used as evidence in any future proceedings against usurpers of land north of the buffer zone, and individuals will be questioned and asked to appear in court as witnesses.
Recommendation of the MFA in connection with the acquisition of real property in Cyprus
The MFA recommends extreme caution and seeking the advice of a source independent of the buying and selling parties, and in particular the seller, before purchasing property in the northern part of Cyprus. There are many risks for EU citizens: difficulties upon resale, high taxes, bankruptcy of the builder, financial and legal difficulties associated with the claims of refugees after 1974, etc.
MFA advises Bulgarian citizens wishing to acquire or otherwise use property in the island of Cyprus, in order to avoid any complications on the status of property within the territory of EU member states, to consult with the appropriate offices. We would like to remind that the Court of Justice, took a decision C-420/07 Meletis Apostolides v. David Charles Orams & Linda Elizabeth Orams, concerning the status of ownership of real estate in the island of Cyprus.
Road traffic
Drivers and pedestrians should be aware that the Republic of Cyprus has a left-hand traffic system.
Healthcare
In Cyprus, you can use your European Health Insurance Card.
It gives you the right to medical care, enjoyed by all citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria with continuous health rights in the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Information on rights granted by the EHIC, countries where it is valid, and arrangements for its issue, may be obtained HERE.
Travel papers and visas
Valid Bulgarian ID card, passport or temporary passport.
All Bulgarian citizens holders of a valid passport or identity card can enter, transit and reside in the Republic of Cyprus without a visa for up to 90 days, and need no registration upon arrival.
Bulgarian citizens, who intend to stay in the country more than 90 days and/or start work, are required to:
- Apply for registration /Alien Registration Certificate/ within eight (8) days upon arrival in the regional offices of the Immigration Service;
- Apply for a residence permit /Residence Permit/ and such application must be submitted before the expiry of the 3 month period from the date of filing of civil registration; said residence permit is issued within six months from the date of application and submission of necessary documents by the applicant (documents required - a valid passport or identity card, two photographs, paid fee of EUR 8.54);
Note: If you submit documents for a family member, you must present a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children and identity documents, certified and translated into Greek or English.
- Apply for a Social Security number to work in Cyprus (if employed or self-employed).
In case of non-performance of those requirements, administrative penalty is imposed - a fine of 2.562,90 euros.
Bulgarian citizens who are residents of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" are served at the Embassy of Bulgaria in Nicosia only.
The Embassy does not recommend travel of Bulgarian citizens in the territory of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus"!
Competitive service
Bulgarian identity documents:
The Consular Office of the Embassy in Nicosia has the technical capability to collect biometric data. Only documents for passport, ID card and a temporary passport are accepted.
Legalisation and Certification:
Bulgaria and Cyprus are signatories to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for legalisation of foreign public documents of 1961, therefore documents/instruments drawn up in each of the two countries should be provided with an “Apostille” by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs.