Includes information on business customs, travel advisory, visa requirements, currency, language, health, local time, business hours and holidays, acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, temporary entry of materials and personal belongings, etc.
Last Published: 7/30/2019

Business Customs

Despite the long and hot summer, the conventional business dress code usually calls for a suit and tie for men and conservative attire for women.  More casual wear is usually worn when entertaining business guests, depending on the venue.  It is considered a courtesy for businesspeople to host business lunches or dinners while discussing possible cooperation.  Business cards are traditionally exchanged at business meetings and gifts are acceptable in the private sector and to a lesser extent in the public sector.
 

Travel Advisory

Cyprus enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, good hygienic conditions, and a modern array of goods and services.  Visitors may obtain travel advisory information here.  Additionally, U.S. businesses in Cyprus can contact the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia and request a security briefing from the Regional Security Officer.
 

Visa Requirements

U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process.  Visa applicants should go to the following links:
State Department Visa Website
U.S. Embassy Consular Section

Republic of Cyprus:
U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter Cyprus.  Persons arriving with the intention to work must obtain special work permits. For more detailed information, please visit the Ministry of Interior, Civil Registry and Migration Department website. 

Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots:
U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter the area administered by Turkish Cypriots.  Visitors arriving in the government-controlled area are normally able to cross into the area administered by Turkish Cypriots without hindrance, although on occasion, travelers have reported difficulties at both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot checkpoints particularly if the traveler originally arrived on the island via Ercan airport.  Policy and procedures regarding such travel are subject to change.  More information on current procedures may be obtained at the U.N. Buffer Zone Ledra Palace checkpoint in Nicosia.
 

Currency


Republic of Cyprus:  
Euro

Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots:
Turkish Lira (Euro, dollar, and British pound are accepted in almost all places)
 

Telecommunications/Electronics


Republic of Cyprus:
The island's telecommunications system is advanced and efficient.  More than 190 countries can be reached through fully automatic direct dialing.  Installation services are usually completed within a few days.  Telefax and internet service are widely available.  The average Internet connection speed is 8 Mega Bytes per Second (MBPS), although speeds of up to 100 MBPS are readily available for a higher fee.  Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops.  GSM cellular phone technology is the standard and it is delivered on European frequencies.  The Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CyTA – a semi-governmental organization), MTN, PrimeTel and Cablenet provide fixed line, internet, and cellular phone services.  Cablenet provides the cell service through CyTA’s mobile network, as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO).  MTN also offers Blackberry services.  As of 2015, MTN, PrimeTel, and CyTA offer fourth generation (4G) mobile telecommunications technology services.  Moreover, in 2018, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Works (MTCW) provided temporary licenses to the three companies to run pilot 5G programs through the Broadband Subsidy Grant Scheme, which is in line with the EU’s Digital Agenda 2020 and the ROC’s National Broadband plan.  The MTCW expects to provide official 5G licenses by the end of 2019.  The ROC is also part of the “5Genesis” {5th Generation End-to-end Network, Experimentation, System Integration, and Showcasing} EU project, which is a pilot platform that is part of the EU’s Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation “Horizon 2020” project.  Along with Athens, Málaga, Surrey, and Berlin, the ROC through the city of Limassol is one of the five platforms of the 5Genesis facility.  Mobile phones issued in the ROC do not work in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots and vice versa.  The Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulations (OCECPR) regulates all telecommunication services (please note the website is only available in the Greek language). 

The Electricity and plug system in Cyprus is the same as the UK with a 240 Voltage and the plugs used are 3-pin.

Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots:
The “Telecommunications Authority” provides telephone, telex, internet/ADSL, fax, and telegram transmission services.  The telephone service is integrated into the Turkish market and relies on Turkey’s country code.  Two private companies, KKTCell (subsidiary of Turkish company Turkcell) and Telsim (now owned by the British Vodafone Company in Turkey) provide GSM-Mobile services (including 3G).  4G is not yet available in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots.  Internet services are widely available, including broadband services.
 

Transportation


Republic of Cyprus:
Inner city travel is often by taxi, public buses, or rental car.  Cars are right-hand drive and rental cars are available in manual and automatic drive options.  Public transportation within cities and between towns is still not as frequent or convenient as in many other EU countries, although the government has improved slightly this service by adding more buses thus making routes more frequent.  Taxis are metered.  The cost for a taxi from the airport in Larnaca to Nicosia averages EUR50.  Prices vary depending on the season and the visitor's car selection for car rentals.  Air traffic is served through two international airports situated in Larnaca and Paphos.  Many international airlines offer daily flights to major destinations in Europe and the Middle East.  The ports of Limassol and Larnaca serve the country's external trade and seaborne passenger traffic, acting also as transshipment centers for the region. 

Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots:
Public transportation in the north is often by public bus or taxi.  Rental car services are also available.  Distances between cities are relatively short.  Roads are generally serviceable but in worse condition than in government-controlled areas.  Only Turkish carriers fly into Ercan airport and all flights must currently touchdown in Turkey.  Most goods destined for the area administered by Turkish Cypriots are transshipped through the Turkish port of Mersin -- significantly increasing the cost of shipping cargo.  The two ports of Famagusta and Kyrenia are used for cargo and passenger transportation.
 

Language

The official languages in Cyprus are Greek, Turkish, and English.  Greek and English are widely spoken in the Republic of Cyprus.  English is increasingly spoken in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots.  English is usually preferred in business dealings.
 

Health


Republic of Cyprus:
The World Health Organization acknowledges Cyprus’ health care as one of high standard and equivalent to other developed countries.  The Ministry of Health is responsible for ensuring access to health services for all beneficiaries through general hospitals located in every city and several health centers.  Most facilities provide adequate medical care and are equipped with modern equipment and English-speaking medical professionals and doctors who are trained in Europe or the United States.  Almost all medicine brands are available in Cyprus and can be purchased at pharmacies upon presentation of a doctor’s prescription.  Foreign nationals entering Cyprus do not require any vaccinations since Cyprus has no dangerous infectious diseases.  The Medical and Public Health Services department carries out frequent and strict inspections of food and water safety. 

Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots:
Adequate access to health care is available.  Some patients note the lack of modern equipment at “state” hospitals.  Most medical professionals were trained in Turkey.  While there are general hospitals in every city and several private clinics, those who can afford it tend to prefer receiving treatment at private hospitals.
 

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays


Republic of Cyprus:
Local time in Cyprus is according to the Eastern European Time Zone.
Holidays observed by businesspersons in Cyprus for 2019:
January 1                                              New Year's Day
January 6                                              Epiphany Day
March 11                                               Green Monday - Start of Lent
March 25                                               Annunciation Day
April 1                                                   Cyprus National Day
April 26                                                 Good Friday
April 29                                                 Easter Monday
May 1                                                    Labor Day
June 17                                                 Holy Spirit Day
August 15                                              Assumption Day
October 1                                              Cyprus Independence Day
October 28                                            Greece National Day
December 25                                        Christmas Day
December 26                                         Boxing Day

For a list of banking holidays, please visit the Central Bank of Cyprus.
Businesspersons should avoid making appointments on public holidays.  The months of July and August are relatively slow months because many businesses close for summer vacation.  Other dates to avoid when setting appointments are Christmas and Easter.

Government Offices Standard Business Hours:
Monday – Friday:                               7:30 – 15:00                        
Banking sector:
Monday – Friday:                               7:30 – 15:00
(Note: Teller services are available to the public from 8:30 to 13:30 daily.  Automatic tellers are available in larger cities but there are not as many one would expect to find in U.S. cities.

Private sector standard business hours vary.  The most common work hours companies follow are from 8:00 to 17:00 with a one-hour break between 13:00 and 14:00. 

Business travelers to Cyprus seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Nicosia officials should contact the Political / Economic office in advance.  Section staff can be reached by phone at +357-22-393520, +357-22-393362, or +357-22-393361 or through email. 

Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots:
"Public" holidays for 2019 are: 
January 1                              New Year's Day
April 23                                  Children’s Day
May 1                                     Labor Day
June 3-6                                Ramazan Bayram (End of Ramadan)
July 20                                   Peace and Freedom Day
August 1                                Communal Resistance Day
August 11-14                         Kurban Bayram (Feast of the Sacrifice)
August 30                              Victory Day
October 29                            Republic of Turkey Day
November 15                        “TRNC” Day            
“Government” Offices:     
May – September
Monday – Friday                  08:00 – 14:30
Thursdays                            08:00 – 12:30 and 13:00 – 17:30
October-April
Monday – Friday                  08:00 – 16:15
Thursdays                            08:00 – 12:30 and 13:00 – 17:30
Standard business hours vary.  The most common work hours companies follow are from 8:00 to 17:00 with a one-hour break between 13:00 and 14:00.  
Banks:
Monday – Friday                  08:00 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 15:30
Factories:
Monday – Friday                   07:30 – 16:00
 

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

There are no restrictions for temporary entry of materials or personal belongings within the limits of the law (e.g. no guns, narcotics, etc.).
 

Travel Related Web Resources

Republic of Cyprus official website 
 

Travel Advisory  

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cyprus.html
State Department Visa Website
U.S. Embassy Consular Section 
Ministry of Interior, Civil Registry and Migration Department  
Bank Holidays  

Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots:
“TRNC" “Presidency”

Approved:             DCM – N. Dean ()
Drafted:                 Pol/Econ – E. Charalambidou, G. Demetriou, M. Bulbulcu, A. Agrotou
Cleared:                 Pol/Econ – M. Seroka (ok)
                                Pol/Econ – A. Wylie (ok)
Pol/Econ – A. Hillyer (ok)
Pol/Econ – D. Wartko (ok)

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.