Cyprus Tightens Rules on Tourist Rentals: What Will Change for Property Owners

The authorities of the Republic of Cyprus are continuing to tighten controls over the short-term rental market. Owners of apartments and houses that accommodate tourists through Airbnb, Booking.com and other online platforms will have to comply with stricter requirements. Otherwise, the property may be removed from the official register, and its listing on popular services may become impossible.

Mandatory registration

The main requirement is the official registration of the property in the register of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus. After successful registration, the owner is assigned a unique registration number, which must be indicated in all property rental listings.

It is prohibited to list a property on short-term rental platforms without this number.

What documents will be required

To register the property, the owner must provide a set of documents confirming that the rental is lawful. These include:

- Certificate of the building’s suitability for use.

- Official report from the Fire Service.

- Inspection of the property by the Sanitary Service.

- Professional inspection of all utility systems (electricity and water supply).

- Valid civil liability insurance policy.

- Certificates confirming disinfection and deratisation (pest control).

- A first-aid kit must be available on the premises.

- A mandatory on-site inspection by government representatives before the permit is issued.

In addition, the property must meet the established minimum requirements for living conditions, safety and hygiene.

Stricter controls

The new measures are aimed not only at improving tourist safety but also at combating illegal rentals. Government authorities are increasing oversight of owners’ income and compliance with tax legislation.

Particular attention is being paid to properties operating without registration or failing to meet the established requirements. Such listings may be removed from online platforms, and owners may face administrative fines.

Why the authorities introduced these measures

In recent years, the number of short-term rental properties in Cyprus has increased significantly. Many apartments have been shifted from the long-term rental market to the tourist market, which, in the authorities’ view, has been one of the reasons for the rise in rental prices for local residents.

In addition, the hotel sector has long pointed to unequal conditions of competition, since hotels are required to comply with strict standards, while some private landlords operated without government oversight.

What this means for owners

For most responsible owners, there will be no major changes — the necessary requirements already existed, but the authorities now intend to monitor compliance with them much more strictly.

The main goal of the reform is to make the short-term rental market more transparent, improve tourist safety, ensure tax payments and create uniform rules for all participants in the property market.