Cyprus is a beautiful little island in the Mediterranean that has been influenced heavily by Greek culture and tradition, along with a little Turkish and English style thrown in. It has scorching-hot summers, mild winters, and lots of great beaches, churches, and historical sites to explore.
If you want to visit the island of Cyprus and see all of these great attractions for yourself, you may need to apply for a visa exemption via something known as ETIAS. There are exceptions though, and we’ll discuss those in this guide.
ETIAS Visa Waiver for Cyprus
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) was first conceived back in 2016. It was developed as a way of screening all visitors to the Schengen Zone, an area that spans 26 countries across Europe.
After years of development and fine-tuning, the ETIAS is due to be implemented in late 2022, at which point travelers from 60 countries will need to complete an online application before they can visit the region.
You can find the ETIAS application form on the official website. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and you will only need a valid email address and a Cypriot passport with at least 3 months of validity remaining. A €7 fee is also required and this must be paid with a credit card or debit card.
Do I Need an ETIAS Visa Waiver to Visit Cyprus?
Cyprus has been a member of the European Union (EU) since 2004 and while it is not yet a member of the Schengen Zone, that will change at some point in the future. All EU countries (with the exception of Ireland) are obliged to join the Schengen Agreement, and steps are being taken to ensure that the Cypriots sign.
If you were able to visit the Schengen Zone—including countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, and France—without needing a visa before 2022, then you will probably need an ETIAS to visit Cyprus in 2023 and beyond.
How Many People Visit Cyprus?
Cyprus welcomes over 4 million tourists every year. That might not sound like a huge number, but it’s a country that has just 1.2 million residents, which means there are around 3.5 tourists for every resident during any given year.
What Languages Do They Speak in Cyprus?
The official languages are Greek, which is spoken throughout the Republic of Cyprus, and Turkish, which is spoken in the Turkish-occupied north.
Many Cypriots also speak English and are very familiar with British traditions and culture due to the island’s long history of British rule.
Visiting Cyprus with an ETIAS Visa Waiver
Cyprus is like a super-heated version of Greece, albeit with more of an injection of British sensibilities. You will find a wealth of great food and a very friendly populace.
Cyprus is also home to centuries of history due to its close association with the ancient Greeks, Venetians, Ottomans, and Brits.
Last but not least, the weather seems to switch between “very hot” and “mild”, with the coldest month recording a modest 45 F.