TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety information
Travel over land
As a country located in Europe according to softwareleverage, the Republic of Cyprus has been a full member of the EU since May 1, 2004, but remains in fact divided into two parts. UN units control the buffer zone between the north and the south, which is a restricted military area and is also partially mined. Caution is advised when approaching the buffer zone and you are warned against crossing the sea-side extension of the demarcation line by swimming or by boat. Be sure to respect military facilities identified as such across the island and the prohibition on photography there. Note that the signage is not always very clearly visible.
You can find important information about entering the northern part of Cyprus and traveling from the northern part to the southern part under “Entry requirements”.
Due to the factual division, the embassy can only provide consular protection in the northern part of the island to a limited extent. Medical care on presentation of the European Health Insurance Card is only possible in the Republic of Cyprus. There are no comparable regulations for the northern part and the German-Turkish social security agreement does not apply. It is therefore urgently recommended that you take out a valid international health insurance policy, especially for trips to the northern part, which, in addition to the statutory health insurance benefits, covers all risks (e.g. necessary return transport to Germany).
Natural disasters
In the summer months there are frequent bush and forest fires in Cyprus due to the prevailing climatic conditions. Travelers should pay attention to corresponding reports in the media and, if necessary, information from the local authorities.
MONEY
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). There are banknotes in values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in denominations of 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Credit cards
American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, ec- / Maestro, Visa Electron and Visa are usually accepted by hotels, larger shops, restaurants etc.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
With an ec / Maestro card and PIN number, cash in the local currency can be withdrawn from ATMs across Europe. In many European countries it is also possible to pay with the ec / Maestro card in shops. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. The same applies to the German Sparcard, the successor to the postal savings book as a means of procuring currency in other European countries. With the Sparcard and PIN number, cash can be withdrawn from European ATMs with the Plus logo.
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Cash withdrawals from ATMs are unrestricted in Cyprus.
Bank opening times
General: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and in tourist areas additionally 3.00 p.m. / 4.00 p.m.-4.30 p.m. / 6.00 p.m., longer opening times possible during the summer months. The banks in the international airports of Larnaka and Pafos offer services for many flights throughout the day and at night. Bank services are also available in the port of Lemesos (Limassol).
Foreign exchange regulations
There are no restrictions on the import or export of national or foreign currencies for travelers within and outside the EU. For travelers from outside the EU, there is an obligation to declare cash from an equivalent value of € 10,000 (including travelers checks, other currencies or checks made out to third parties). Travelers within the EU must verbally report cash on request with an equivalent value of € 10,000 or more.
Currency Exchange
Money can be changed in banks and at numerous ATMs in central locations in all cities and in the tourist areas of Agia Napa and Paralimni. Most currencies and values are accepted.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official languages are Greek (in the south) and Turkish (in the north). The Greek Cypriot dialect differs significantly from mainland Greek. English is important as a language of education and communication. In vacation areas, people often understand German or French.
Idioms
Here are some language examples in Greek:
- Eight = Okhtó
- Eighty = Ogdhónda
- Goodbye = Andío sas
- Exit = Exodos
- Beer = Bira
- Please = Parakaló
- Thank you = Efharistó
- Tuesday = Tríti
- Doctor = Iatrós
- Thursday = Pémpti
- Three = trís / tria
- Thirty = Triánda
- Entrance = Issodus
- One hundred = Ekató
- One = Éna
- One thousand = hílies
- Friday = Paraskebí
- Five = pende
- Fifty = penínda
- Danger = kíndhinos
- Closed = Klistó
- Hello = Giásou
- Today = Símera
- Hotel = Ksenodhohío
- I feel sick = Ímeh arostos
- I do not understand = Dhen katalavéno
- Yes = Néh
- My name is?? = Meh léne??
- I’m fine. = Kalá ímeh
- Wednesday = Tetárti
- Monday = Deftéra
- Tomorrow = Ávrio
- No = Óhi
- Nine = Enyá
- Ninety = Enenínda
- Open = Aniktó
- Bottom up! = Giamas!
- Restaurant = Estiatorio / taverna
- Saturday = Sábato
- Six = Éksi
- Sixty = Eksínda
- Seven = Eftá
- Seventy = Evdhomínda
- Sunday = Kiriakí
- Menu = catalog house
- Do you speak German / English? = Miláte jermaniká / anglika?
- Toilets = Toualétes
- Four = téseres / tésera
- Forty = Saránda
- Wine = Krasi
- How are you? = Ti kánis / ti kánete?
- How much is it? = Póso káni?
- Where is??? = Pou ine???
- Ten = Dhéka
- Twenty = Íkosi
- Two = Dhío