The Supreme Court of Cyprus confirmed a €900 fine for being in a public place without a mask

On September 9, 2025, the Supreme Court of Cyprus rejected an appeal by a resident of the republic to overturn a €900 fine issued during the pandemic for being in a public place without a mask. The case was initially heard in December 2021; the defendant appeared in court but was not admitted to the courtroom because he did not present a vaccination certificate, a negative test, or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 — requirements in effect at that time.

In his appeal, the citizen argued that his constitutional rights to a fair trial and access to justice were violated. The court rejected these claims, noting that the defendant had been notified in advance of the date and place of the hearing, and the requirement to present documents was based on legal orders. The court also held that the refusal to comply with prescribed procedures was intentional and dismissed arguments about the unconstitutionality of the health minister's decrees, which had been reviewed in similar cases.

According to the court's decision, measures taken during the pandemic were necessary and proportionate, aimed at protecting public health and ensuring the functioning of courts. Practical significance for Cyprus residents: when safety requirements are in place for access to government agencies and courts, the prescribed documents (vaccination, negative test, or recovery certificate) must be presented to avoid fines and non-attendance at hearings.