The Cypriot Parliament has approved a bill amending the Law on the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations, extending the deadline for securing a license to operate from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. The extension allows additional time for unlicensed hotels and accommodations to comply with specific safety and operational requirements.

The bill also includes a provision introduced by AKEL, requiring the Deputy Ministry of Tourism to provide the Parliamentary Energy Committee with a written update every six months regarding the status of license application reviews.

Under the amended law, the general deadline for obtaining an operating license is now set for November 30, 2025, instead of the previous September 30, 2025.

Those seeking exemption from this deadline must submit architectural plans certified by a qualified professional, as defined under the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law, verifying that the submitted plans reflect the actual structure of the hotel or accommodation on site.

The law also adjusts the expiration date for fire safety compatibility certificates, changing it from August 31, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Additionally, it clarifies that a certification of proper installation for new LPG systems is required only when a periodic inspection report has not yet been prepared at the time of application.

In cases where a hotel or tourist accommodation has already submitted the manager’s form to the Deputy Ministry, resubmission will not be required.

The bill further stipulates that the special operating permit must be issued within two months of submitting a complete application. If fire safety requirements are unmet, the operator will have two months from notification to submit either a revised compliance plan or a valid fire safety certificate to the Fire Department.

Failure to comply with fire safety directives will result in the immediate termination of operations for the non-compliant establishment.

During the discussion of the bill, it was noted that, according to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the number of licensed hotels and tourist accommodations remains unsatisfactory, as does the volume of applications under review. These concerns prompted the decision to extend the licensing timeline.

It is also noted that participation in any Deputy Ministry tourism scheme requires legal operation status—either through the issuance of a valid license or under the special framework for unlicensed establishments.