By car to Cyprus

Medical insurance

When entering Cyprus, Ukrainian citizens are advised to have valid medical insurance covering the cost of treatment while abroad. Although this is not always a formal requirement for tourists from Ukraine at the border, in practice, insurance is an important safeguard against unexpected expenses in the event of illness, injury, or hospitalization.

Medical services in Cyprus, especially in private clinics, are quite expensive. For example, a doctor's appointment can cost between €40 and €100, and hospitalization can cost several thousand euros, depending on the case. Therefore, insurance covering accidents, COVID-19, and other medical emergencies is not just recommended but actually mandatory.

📌 What should the policy cover?

• outpatient and inpatient treatment;
  
• COVID-19 assistance (testing, isolation, treatment);
• evacuation to a hospital or transportation to Ukraine if necessary;
  
• accidents or injuries while on vacation.

Where to get it?

You can quickly and conveniently get medical insurance online through the Visit Ukraine service. You choose the required coverage period and amount, and immediately receive the policy by email — no hassle or visits to insurance companies.

Do I need a vignette or road toll?

All roads in Cyprus are free.

• There are no toll roads, motorways, or tunnels where you have to pay.
• You also don't need a vignette or mandatory registration in online systems, as in some EU countries.

Mandatory equipment in the car

The car must have:

• First aid kit.
  
• Reflective vest.
  
• Emergency stop sign.

Traveling with a child to Cyprus: what you need to know

If you are planning a trip with a child under the age of 16 and one of the parents is not traveling, you will need the following documents:

• Child's birth certificate — you must have the original or a notarized copy.
• The child's passport — their own, separate document.
  
• Notarized consent from the other parent to travel abroad. The statement must be written in Ukrainian and English (or with an official translation), preferably indicating the country and duration of the trip.

If the child is accompanied by another person (grandmother, relative, guardian, etc.), the consent of both parents is required. Additionally, documents confirming the legality of the escort (for example, a certificate of guardianship or family relationship) must be provided.

General rules for transporting children in cars in Cyprus

- Children under 12 years of age or less than 1.50 m tall:

• Must be transported in child restraint systems appropriate for their weight and age (car seats, booster seats).
• It is prohibited to transport such children in the front seat without an appropriate child seat or if the airbag is not deactivated.

- Children over 12 years of age or taller than 1.50 m:

• May use a standard seat belt, just like adults.

📌 In rental cars in Cyprus, child seats are usually available as an option (for an additional fee of €5–10 per day). Be sure to order in advance.

Transporting animals by car

To bring animals into Cyprus from Ukraine, you must have:

• An international veterinary passport.
  
• Microchipping.
  
• Rabies vaccination.
  
• Treatment for parasites.
  
• A certificate of non-breeding value.
  
• A photo of the animal up to 12 months old.

Green card for your car

Remember that international car insurance is required to cross the border!

A green card is international insurance that covers damages in the event of an accident abroad. Although it is not valid in Cyprus, you still need to have it for travel through other EU countries (e.g., Greece).

🟢 You can get a Green Card online at Visit Ukraine for any period from 15 days to 1 year.

Car rental is one of the most convenient ways to explore Cyprus. The island is small, but public transport is limited in terms of routes and schedules, especially in remote areas. Therefore, if you plan to see more than just the coast or Larnaca, a car will be a great advantage.

Rental requirements

To rent a car, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old (some companies require 23–25 years old for certain categories of cars).
  
• Have at least 1 year of driving experience.
• Have a Ukrainian driver's license — these are usually accepted if they have a Latin transliteration. For additional security, some companies may ask for an international driver's license (IDP).
  
• Have a bank card (with a limit) — a deposit will be blocked on the card as a guarantee.

Companies where you can rent a car

Both international brands (Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Budget) and local companies (e.g., Stevens, Petsas, AutoTrust) operate in Cyprus. Local operators may have more favorable terms, but you should read the contract carefully and check reviews.

Tip: compare offers on aggregator websites (Rentalcars, DiscoverCars, Localrent) — sometimes it is cheaper than booking directly.

Rental cost

• Economy class (Fiat Panda, Kia Picanto) — from $25–35/day.
• Sedans/compact crossovers — from $40–60/day.
  
• Minivans, SUVs — from $70–100/day and above.

The cost depends on the season (more expensive in summer), the location where you pick up the car (more expensive at the airport), and the rental period.

Deposit and insurance

• A deposit is blocked on your card — from $300 to $1,000, refunded when you return the car without damage.
• The base price includes standard insurance (CDW), but with a deductible (i.e., the portion of the damage that you cover yourself). It is recommended to purchase additional insurance (SCDW or Full Insurance), which reduces the deductible to zero.

Features and nuances

• Left-hand traffic: this is one of the main features of Cyprus. Be careful when turning, making U-turns, and leaving parking lots.
  
• Speed limits: in cities — 50 km/h, outside cities — 80 km/h, on highways — 100 km/h. There are cameras and fines.
• Trips to Northern Cyprus: prohibited by most rental companies or require separate insurance (which costs €20–30 for 3 days and can be purchased at the checkpoint).
• Parking in cities is often paid, the price is €1–2/hour, payment is made through parking meters or mobile apps.

📌 Recommendation: book your car in advance online, especially during peak season — this guarantees the best price and choice.

Traffic rules

Cyprus has left-hand traffic — this is the most important feature for Ukrainian drivers. Carefully follow lanes, turns, and traffic at roundabouts. Headlights must be turned on only at night and in poor visibility conditions.

The legal alcohol limit is 0.5‰, but for young drivers (with less than 2 years' experience) it is 0.2‰. However, we recommend refraining from drinking alcohol before driving.

Speed limits:

• in towns — up to 50 km/h;
• outside towns — up to 80 km/h;
  
• on motorways — up to 100 km/h.

Toll roads and tunnels

There are no toll roads, bridges or tunnels in Cyprus. All motorways, including interurban roads, are free for all categories of vehicles.

Parking

In most cities, parking is paid in the center from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. The price is from 0.5 to 1.5 € per hour, depending on the city and zone. On weekends and public holidays, parking is mostly free. You can pay via parking meters or SMS, as well as via mobile apps (e.g., Cyprus Pay & Park).

Read the road markings carefully: yellow lines mean no parking, blue lines mean paid parking, and white lines mean parking is allowed for all vehicles.

Fines

Traffic violations in Cyprus are punishable by heavy fines, and the police often conduct checks:

• Speeding: from €25 to €200 (depending on the speed exceeded);
  
• Seat belts: fine — €150;
  
• Using a phone while driving: also €150
• Blood alcohol: €100 to €300, depending on the concentration.

There are fixed and mobile cameras on the roads.

In case of an accident

• If there are injuries, call the police and an ambulance at 112.
• If the damage is minor and all parties agree, fill out a European accident statement (Insurance Accident Statement) and notify your insurance company.
  
• Be sure to take photos, sketch the scene of the accident, and write down the contact details of any witnesses and the other driver's insurance policy number.

Fuel

Gas stations operate as usual, but at night — only in automatic mode (self-service via a terminal). The most common chains are: EKO, Petrolina, ExxonMobil, Shell.

Types of fuel:

• gasoline 95, 98;
  
• diesel;
  
• LPG — less common.

Prices in 2026:

• gasoline 95 — 1.42–1.55 €/l;
  
• diesel — 1.45–1.60 €/l.

Tip from Visit Ukraine

Before traveling to Cyprus, don't forget to take out medical insurance with accident coverage, as well as a Green Card for your car. Both documents can be easily ordered online on the Visit Ukraine website — quickly, conveniently, and officially.