The Deputy Minister of Tourism of Cyprus has reminded property owners that letting accommodation on a short-term basis without registering it with the State Registry is a criminal offence and carries serious administrative and criminal consequences.
If found guilty, offenders face a fine of up to €5,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
With the start of the tourist season, the Minister said that his department is stepping up checks to ensure that rentals comply with current legislation. He stressed that all persons offering short-term accommodation to tourists are required to register their properties and obtain a special permit with a unique registration number.
According to the provisions of the Law on the Regulation of the Establishment and Operation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation, it is only possible to advertise and rent out properties (including villas, houses and self-catering apartments) after official registration with the Ministry of Tourism. The registration number must be clearly stated on all advertisements, promotional material and bookings.
Registration is done online through the official portal www.tourism.gov.cy.
A special form must be filled in, signed and returned in PDF format. It takes approximately 1 month from the date of application to receive a licence. The registration fee for each accommodation unit is €222 for three years. Income tax is calculated on annual profits. Amounts under €16,000 are not subject to tax. Landlords also pay VAT.
In the absence of a valid licence, or if the tenancy continues after its cancellation, the owner will be considered an offender. In addition to the main penalty, the court can impose an additional fine of up to €200 for each day of illegal activity if the violation continues after the ruling.
This move is part of a wider campaign to bring order to the tourist accommodation sector. It aims to increase market transparency, protect consumer rights and eliminate unfair competition, which is a regular complaint of the hotel industry.
According to the latest data presented to Parliament, there were 8,248 properties registered in the short-term rental register at the end of February 2025. A further 1,275 applications are currently being processed.