Countries · Southern Europe (Eastern Mediterranean) · EASA rules

Cyprus

EU drone rules apply: an EASA-registered operator flies on the home registration, while a UK or US visitor flying first in the EU registers online at uas.drones.gov.cy (15 EUR) and needs the EU A1/A3 certificate (15 EUR); check the DCA geozone map, as airport Zone A and police and military zones are closed.

Open after a step for this profile · checked 8 October 2026

23 rules · 53 sources, 42 of them official · 14 fields unconfirmed · Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works · UAS Cyprus portal (uas.drones.gov.cy) (English)

Your answer

Every engine field and the workflow rest on official pages.

What decides it

Operator registration is required for a drone over 250 g, or under 250 g with a camera or other equipment able to capture personal data. The operator registers, not the drone; registration is valid 3 years.confirmed on the cited page
Remote pilots must be at least 16; a younger pilot may fly when supervised by a person aged 16 or over. Operator registration requires age 18; a parent or guardian may register on a minor's behalf.confirmed on the cited page
Display the operator registration number on every drone in a way that cannot be erased, and upload it to the drone where it has that capability.confirmed on the cited page
Drones of class C1, C2, C3, C5 or C6 must have the DCA geozone JSON loaded into their geo-awareness system. DJI's preinstalled Cyprus map is not the right one.confirmed on the cited page
Do not take photographs, video or sound recordings of people without their permission; flights in geozones must respect personal data, privacy and the environment.confirmed on the cited page

Permits tied to a place or a time

These do not change the country's colour; they decide whether a particular flight is legal where and when you want it.

Zone A around Larnaca and Paphos airports is prohibited to all drone flights; violations are subject to heavy fines and imprisonment.
Zone B around Larnaca and Paphos airports needs DCA permission on the National Airport Airspace Reservation Request form, with proof of 1,000,000 EUR third-party insurance, the operator number and the pilot's certificates. Apply well ahead: the DCA gives 7 working days, 10 working days and 14 days in different places.
Restricted (yellow) geozones, such as National Guard sites, power substations, ports, hospitals, embassies, the central prison and the presidential residence at Troodos, need prior authorisation from the zone's administrator, usually one or two weeks ahead.
Prohibited geozones (police stations and headquarters, some National Guard sites, the presidential palace, the House of Representatives, the Vasilikos energy centre and airport Zone A) are closed to drones.
No flights in prohibited, restricted, danger or reserved areas published in the authority's aeronautical publications.
The open category ends at 120 m above the surface, 25 kg take-off mass and visual line of sight; no dangerous goods and no dropping material. Beyond that is the specific category.
Specific-category flights need an operational authorisation (SORA or PDRA, operations manual, 1,000,000 EUR insurance; at least 65 working days after fees are paid) or a standard-scenario declaration with a C5 or C6 drone. Operators authorised elsewhere in the EU apply for cross-border operation at least 10 working days ahead.

Before you fly, in order

Operator registration is required for a drone over 250 g, or under 250 g with a camera or other equipment able to capture personal data. The operator registers, not the drone; registration is valid 3 years.
An operator registered in another EASA state does not register again in Cyprus; the operator number is valid across EASA.
Display the operator registration number on every drone in a way that cannot be erased, and upload it to the drone where it has that capability.
Specific-category flights need an operational authorisation (SORA or PDRA, operations manual, 1,000,000 EUR insurance; at least 65 working days after fees are paid) or a standard-scenario declaration with a C5 or C6 drone. Operators authorised elsewhere in the EU apply for cross-border operation at least 10 working days ahead.
The open category ends at 120 m above the surface, 25 kg take-off mass and visual line of sight; no dangerous goods and no dropping material. Beyond that is the specific category.
A1: not over assemblies of people. A2 (C2 drone): keep a horizontal distance from uninvolved people at least equal to the height, never under 5 m. A3: at least 150 m from residential, commercial or industrial areas.
Drones of class C1, C2, C3, C5 or C6 must have the DCA geozone JSON loaded into their geo-awareness system. DJI's preinstalled Cyprus map is not the right one.
Zone A around Larnaca and Paphos airports is prohibited to all drone flights; violations are subject to heavy fines and imprisonment.
Zone B around Larnaca and Paphos airports needs DCA permission on the National Airport Airspace Reservation Request form, with proof of 1,000,000 EUR third-party insurance, the operator number and the pilot's certificates. Apply well ahead: the DCA gives 7 working days, 10 working days and 14 days in different places.
Restricted (yellow) geozones, such as National Guard sites, power substations, ports, hospitals, embassies, the central prison and the presidential residence at Troodos, need prior authorisation from the zone's administrator, usually one or two weeks ahead.
Prohibited geozones (police stations and headquarters, some National Guard sites, the presidential palace, the House of Representatives, the Vasilikos energy centre and airport Zone A) are closed to drones.
Electronic counter-drone measures may operate at National Guard zones and may bring a drone down.
No flights in prohibited, restricted, danger or reserved areas published in the authority's aeronautical publications.
FPV is allowed with a UA observer who stands alongside the pilot, scans the airspace and can communicate at once.
Do not take photographs, video or sound recordings of people without their permission; flights in geozones must respect personal data, privacy and the environment.
Remote pilots must be at least 16; a younger pilot may fly when supervised by a person aged 16 or over. Operator registration requires age 18; a parent or guardian may register on a minor's behalf.
Spare lithium batteries in cabin baggage only: up to 100 Wh without approval, 100 to 160 Wh with airline approval and two spares, over 160 Wh not allowed (IATA passenger guidance; airlines may be stricter).

Spare lithium batteries in cabin baggage only: up to 100 Wh without approval, 100 to 160 Wh with airline approval and two spares, over 160 Wh not allowed (IATA passenger guidance; airlines may be stricter).

How a visitor gets legal

Each step as the authority describes it, with who may apply, what it costs and how long it takes.

Step 1
Check whether you must register
Registration is needed for a drone over 250 g, or under 250 g with a camera or sensor. Note the class label: a drone placed on the market after 2024-01-01 without one may not fly in the open category.
Visitors eligible · None
Open the official page
Step 2
EASA operators: use your home registration
Carry your EASA operator number and remote pilot certificate; do not register again in Cyprus.
Visitors eligible · None
- EASA operator number
- EASA remote pilot certificate
Step 3
UK, US and other operators: register in Cyprus
If Cyprus is the first EU country you fly in, create an account at uas.drones.gov.cy (name, surname, email, phone) and register as an operator. You must be 18 or over.
Visitors eligible · 15 EUR, VISA card only, valid 3 years · Not published
- Email address
- Phone number
- VISA card
Open the official page
Step 4
Non-EU pilots: get the EU A1/A3 certificate
Take the DCA's online A1/A3 training and exam in English (40 questions, 75 per cent, 3 attempts). Not needed for a C0 drone.
Visitors eligible · 15 EUR, VISA card only · Certificate by email on passing
Open the official page
Step 5
Label the drone and load the geozones
Fix the operator number to every drone so it cannot be erased and upload it to the drone. On C1, C2, C3, C5 or C6 drones import the DCA geozone JSON (for DJI: DJI Fly, About, FlySafe Data, Import From Files).
Visitors eligible · None
Open the official page
Step 6
Check the geozone map before every flight
Open the DCA geozone map (KMZ). Each zone gives its administrator, contact details and access conditions.
Visitors eligible · None
Open the official page
Step 7
Airport Zone B: apply to the DCA
Send the National Airport Airspace Reservation Request form with a 1,000,000 EUR third-party insurance policy, your operator and pilot numbers, certificates, a description of the operation and coordinates. Zone A is never allowed.
Eligibility not stated · Submit at least 14 days ahead (the page also says 7 or 10 working days)
- Application form 006
- Insurance policy, 1,000,000 EUR
- Remote pilot certificates
Open the official page
Step 8
Other restricted zones: ask the zone administrator
Apply to the administrator named in the zone (for example the National Guard form on the About Geo-Zones page); the zone file gives one or two weeks' notice.
Eligibility not stated · One or two weeks' notice, by zone
Open the official page

The numbers

The engine's inputs, each with the verdict our verification pass gave it and the sources it rests on.

Field	What the pages say	Verdict	Sources
May a visiting pilot fly at all	Yes, after a registration or a notification.The DCA homepage addresses non-EU visitors directly. A nationwide ban (KDP 110/2026) ran from 2026-03-04 until KDP 217/2026 repealed it on 2026-04-30; cylaw's 2026 index, current to 2026-10-02, lists no later ban.	confirmed on the cited page	S1 S37 S35
EU or EEA registration recognised	YesAn operator number from any EASA state is valid in Cyprus; an operator who already flew in another EU country must not register again.	confirmed on the cited page	S14 S1
UK registration recognised	NoA non-EU resident flying for the first time in an EU country in Cyprus must register as an operator in Cyprus.	confirmed on the cited page	S1
US registration recognised	NoSame non-EU resident rule.	confirmed on the cited page	S1
Local registration	Required from 250 g. Cost: 15 EUR, paid by VISA card only; registration valid 3 years. Time: Not published. Non-residents: Portal sign-up asks for first name, surname, email and mobile, phone or fax number, with an email and password login; there is no national eID. Minimum age 18. The 2023 model-club leaflet lists name, date of birth, address, telephone, email and ID or passport number..Threshold: over 250 g, or under 250 g with a camera or other sensor able to capture personal data. The stale useful-links page (S5) still shows a 10 EUR fee and an 80 J criterion; the current homepage (S1, S4) charges 15 EUR. Processing time is not published.	partly confirmed	S1 S3 S33 S10 S4 S5
Remote ID	Display the operator number indelibly on every drone and upload it to the drone where it has that capability. Drones of class C1, C2, C3, C5 and C6 must also have the DCA geozone JSON loaded into their geo-awareness system. No Cyprus-specific Remote ID class rule was found.	partly confirmed	S1 S13 S14 S29 S23
Insurance	Not establishedNo general insurance obligation appears on any page opened. Third-party cover of 1,000,000 EUR is mandatory in airport Zone B and for an operational authorisation; the EASA FAQ the DCA hosts says insurance is always required above 20 kg.	not confirmed	S2 S24 S30 S14
Altitude ceiling	120 mMeasured from the closest point of the earth's surface; 15 m above an obstacle taller than 105 m when its owner asks.	confirmed on the cited page	S14 S13 S10
Distance from people	A1: never over assemblies of people (a C1 drone also minimises flying over uninvolved people). A2: a horizontal distance at least equal to the height, never less than 5 m. A3: at least 150 m from residential, commercial or industrial areas and away from uninvolved people.	confirmed on the cited page	S13 S10
Line of sight	Keep the drone in visual line of sight, or be assisted by a UA observer standing alongside the pilot.	confirmed on the cited page	S13 S10
Night	Not establishedNo Republic page opened states a night rule. In the Sovereign Base Areas open-category flights are daylight only.	not confirmed	S1 S13
Class marks	EU open category with C0 to C4 class labels and subcategories A1, A2 and A3; C5 and C6 for standard scenarios. Drones placed on the market after 2024-01-01 without a class label may not fly in the open category.DCA pages disagree on unlabelled older drones; see conflicts.	confirmed on the cited page	S1 S8 S13 S17 S31
FPV	Allowed with a UA observer who scans the airspace, stands alongside the pilot and can communicate at once.	confirmed on the cited page	S13
Commercial use	No separate commercial regime: the same open-category rules apply to hobby and paid work. Operations outside the open category need an operational authorisation or a standard-scenario declaration.	confirmed on the cited page	S17 S30

Every rule we could confirm

Grouped by what they govern. A general rule decides the country's colour for a profile; a situational one applies in a place, a zone or a season.

Registration

Operator registration is required for a drone over 250 g, or under 250 g with a camera or other equipment able to capture personal data. The operator registers, not the drone; registration is valid 3 years.
Open after a step · general · confirmed on the cited page · S1 S17 S12
Certified-category drones are registered themselves.
An operator registered in another EASA state does not register again in Cyprus; the operator number is valid across EASA.
Open for you · general · confirmed on the cited page · S14 S1
A non-EU resident flying for the first time in an EU country in Cyprus registers as an operator at uas.drones.gov.cy: 15 EUR by VISA card only, minimum age 18.
Open after a step · general · confirmed on the cited page · S1 S3 S33
A non-EU resident must hold a remote pilot certificate issued by an EU country. The DCA's online A1/A3 course and exam is in English, costs 15 EUR by VISA card, has 40 questions with a 75 per cent pass mark and 3 attempts, and the certificate is valid 5 years. Carry it and show it on request.
Open after a step · general · confirmed on the cited page · S1 S3
The exam is not required for a C0 drone or a privately built drone under 250 g.
Remote pilots need the A1/A3 certificate except with a C0 drone or a privately built drone under 250 g; flying in A2 also needs a declared self-practical training and a 30-question exam at an approved centre.
Open after a step · general · confirmed on the cited page · S13 S1
The schema carries no competency category, so this sits under registration.
In the Sovereign Base Areas a drone may only be flown if registered under the Republic of Cyprus's 2015 drone Order; how that maps onto EU registration is not stated.
Open after a step · general · partly confirmed · British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia · S39 S40

Remote ID

Display the operator registration number on every drone in a way that cannot be erased, and upload it to the drone where it has that capability.
Open after a step · general · confirmed on the cited page · S1 S13 S16

Minimum age

Remote pilots must be at least 16; a younger pilot may fly when supervised by a person aged 16 or over. Operator registration requires age 18; a parent or guardian may register on a minor's behalf.
Open after a step · general · confirmed on the cited page · S1 S3 S10

Permits

Specific-category flights need an operational authorisation (SORA or PDRA, operations manual, 1,000,000 EUR insurance; at least 65 working days after fees are paid) or a standard-scenario declaration with a C5 or C6 drone. Operators authorised elsewhere in the EU apply for cross-border operation at least 10 working days ahead.
Permit per flight · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S30 S32

Airspace zones

Drones of class C1, C2, C3, C5 or C6 must have the DCA geozone JSON loaded into their geo-awareness system. DJI's preinstalled Cyprus map is not the right one.
Open after a step · general · confirmed on the cited page · S29 S1 S7 S23
Class-scoped, but the engine does not evaluate classes; the class is in the statement.
Zone A around Larnaca and Paphos airports is prohibited to all drone flights; violations are subject to heavy fines and imprisonment.
Closed to you · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S2 S15 S25
The superseded 'Airport Geo-Zones Previous' page (S6) allowed Zone A by operational authorisation.
Zone B around Larnaca and Paphos airports needs DCA permission on the National Airport Airspace Reservation Request form, with proof of 1,000,000 EUR third-party insurance, the operator number and the pilot's certificates. Apply well ahead: the DCA gives 7 working days, 10 working days and 14 days in different places.
Permit per flight · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S2 S24 S9 S6
Restricted (yellow) geozones, such as National Guard sites, power substations, ports, hospitals, embassies, the central prison and the presidential residence at Troodos, need prior authorisation from the zone's administrator, usually one or two weeks ahead.
Permit per flight · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S7 S27 S25 S26
Prohibited geozones (police stations and headquarters, some National Guard sites, the presidential palace, the House of Representatives, the Vasilikos energy centre and airport Zone A) are closed to drones.
Closed to you · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S26 S25 S27
Electronic counter-drone measures may operate at National Guard zones and may bring a drone down.
Open after a step · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S25
No flights in prohibited, restricted, danger or reserved areas published in the authority's aeronautical publications.
Closed to you · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S27
The DCA homepage tells non-EU visitors to keep at least 8 km from airports and heliports; the geozone decree instead defines airport zones by polygon.
Open after a step · situational · partly confirmed · S1 S3
Encoded as guidance; see conflicts.
SBA open category (up to 3 kg, up to 50 m): daylight only, recreational, sport, display or training use, within 500 m of the pilot, at least 500 m from people, vessels, vehicles and structures not under the pilot's control unless they consent, and at least 1 km from congested areas.
Open after a step · situational · confirmed on the cited page · British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia · S39 S40 S41 S42
Ordinance 31/2020 as published in 2020; the 2026 SBA legislation index still lists it, amendments not checked.
SBA restricted zones (8 km around RAF Akrotiri, 3 km around the Episkopi strip, the Pyla range and Ayios Nikolaos, among others) need the Area Officer's permission; the Akrotiri restricted flying area needs RAF Akrotiri's station commander.
Permit per flight · situational · confirmed on the cited page · British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia · S40 S39

Altitude

The open category ends at 120 m above the surface, 25 kg take-off mass and visual line of sight; no dangerous goods and no dropping material. Beyond that is the specific category.
Permit per flight · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S13 S1 S14

Distance from people

A1: not over assemblies of people. A2 (C2 drone): keep a horizontal distance from uninvolved people at least equal to the height, never under 5 m. A3: at least 150 m from residential, commercial or industrial areas.
Open after a step · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S13 S10

FPV

FPV is allowed with a UA observer who stands alongside the pilot, scans the airspace and can communicate at once.
Open after a step · situational · confirmed on the cited page · S13

Privacy

Do not take photographs, video or sound recordings of people without their permission; flights in geozones must respect personal data, privacy and the environment.
Open after a step · general · confirmed on the cited page · S1 S27

Parks and protected areas

Who decides, what they decided, and whether there is a way in.

Natura 2000 sites, Akamas, Troodos, Cape Greco and archaeological sites
None of these is a zone in the DCA geozone file or map, and no park, forestry or antiquities page with a drone rule was found. The geozone decree lets the Minister add environmental conditions.
unknown · S25 S26 S27

Where the no-fly zones are published

The authority's own map is the one that counts on the day; an app is a convenience, not a source.

Larnaca and Paphos each have a prohibited Zone A and a Zone B that needs DCA permission and 1,000,000 EUR insurance. The homepage also tells non-EU visitors to keep 8 km from airports and heliports.

Official map: drones.gov.cy
Dataset: drones.gov.cy · JSON in the EU geozone format (version 06 May 2025, 141 zones, 0 to 120 m AGL) for drone geo-awareness, plus a KMZ map (version 09, July 2026)
Licence: None stated
Updated: No fixed cadence; zones change by ministerial decree (2024, 2025, January and April 2026)
Apps named: DJI Fly: import the DCA JSON under FlySafe Data (the preinstalled DJI Cyprus map is wrong)

Customs and the border

Declaration: Travellers' personal effects from outside the EU may enter under temporary admission by oral or written declaration (form C.104E when declared orally). The page does not mention drones.
Import authorisation: Not established
Radio conformity: Not established

On the ground

What pilots, police and the press report actually happening. This is evidence about behaviour, not law: it never changes the status above, and it is dated and linked so you can judge it yourself.

Too few confirmed reports to say3 confirmed cases · 2021-01-12 to 2026-06-18 · practice pass 8 October 2026

Three dated cases from 2021 to 2026, all smuggling drones seized by police or prison staff, none with a visitor. Nothing confirmed shows a recreational pilot stopped, fined or charged, at beaches, parks, airport customs or during the 2026 ban; the guides' fines and airport confiscations have no source.

How people fly: No first-hand account of where people fly was found. The Civil Aviation Department said in August 2025 that private drones had been reported flying dangerously close to firefighting aircraft in several parts of Cyprus, and the Larnaca airport operator drilled against drones in January 2025 after increased drone activity around the airport.
Police and rangers: In the confirmed cases the police drug squad seized a smuggling drone after a resident's tip (2021) and prison staff with an anti-drone system impounded drones and their cargo, passing them to the police (2026). No case was found of the police, SBA Police, National Guard, forestry or antiquities staff stopping a recreational pilot, nor of anyone charged under the nationwide ban of 2026-03-04 to 2026-04-30. The state's visible practice is to announce bans and warn of prosecution: the ban, an island-wide police-announced ban for the EU summit of 2026-04-23 and 24, and the 2025 ban near firefighting operations, where the Civil Aviation Department said violators will be prosecuted.
At the border: No usable report.
Fines actually reported: No fine for a drone flight was found. Penalties in the record: a smuggling drone seized and a 27-year-old rearrested as a suspect (Nicosia, 2021), and two prison smuggling attempts in 2026 in which the drone or its cargo was seized and no arrest was reported.

The law's own penalty schedule is separate: Not established, 3 published fine ranges below.

Where reports cluster

Central Prisons, Nicosia
Two drone smuggling attempts in 2026 (April and 2026-06-18), both stopped by the prison's anti-drone system; no arrest reported.
Larnaca and Paphos airports
Zone A is closed by law. Larnaca recorded increased drone activity and ran a counter-drone exercise in January 2025. No pilot case found.
Wildfires and emergency operations
Drones reported near firefighting aircraft in 2025; flying there is banned and prosecution threatened. No case named.
Whole island during announced bans
The nationwide ban of 2026-03-04 to 2026-04-30 and the police-announced ban for the EU summit of 2026-04-23 and 24. No one charged under either was found.

Dated reports

2021-01-12 · Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia, near the crossing point · press
A drone carrying 60 g of cannabis was seen hovering; a resident alerted the police (Tuesday evening, per the article of 2021-01-13).
Police seized the drone; on 2021-02-27 a 27-year-old already in custody was rearrested as a suspect in the case. report
2026-04 · Central Prisons, Nicosia · press
A drone at high altitude dropped three mobile phones and three chargers into the prison yard, 48 hours after a new anti-drone system was switched on. The article of 2026-04-28 does not print the event date.
The items were seized and handed to the police, who opened an investigation; no arrest reported. report
2026-06-18 · Central Prisons, Nicosia · press
The anti-drone system detected a drone carrying a package towards the prison complex on Thursday morning.
Prison officers impounded the drone and the package and passed them to the police; no arrests announced. report

What the law says it costs

Published penalty ranges. What has actually been charged, where anyone reported it, is in the section above.

Offence	Range	Sources
Breach of the geozone decree (geozones count as prohibited areas under article 6 of the Civil Aviation Law)	Up to 2 years' imprisonment and/or 1,500 Cyprus pounds as printed in the consolidated Law (6 months and/or 500 pounds if by negligence)	S27 S34
Administrative breach of the Civil Aviation Law or a ministerial decree	Administrative fine up to 5,000 Cyprus pounds as printed, or 10 per cent of turnover; it may exceed the cap	S34
Sovereign Base Areas: breach of the Order or the drone Ordinance	The equivalent of 2,500 GBP in euros; endangering persons or property, an unlimited fine or up to 2 years or both	S39

Confiscation: No Republic page states a confiscation power. In the Sovereign Base Areas the Administrator or a police officer may stop a flight and detain the drone, and police may use reasonable force.

Criminal liability: Flying in breach of a geozone is treated as a breach of a prohibited area under the Civil Aviation Law, a criminal offence; the decree applies the Law's penalty articles by analogy.

What we could not confirm

Printed rather than hidden. A brief that answers everything has usually guessed somewhere, and a gap here is a real gap in the official pages or a page we could not reach.

1 cited pages refused our checks and are marked unreachable in the source list.

Sources that disagree

Airport Zone B lead time
DCA Airport Geo-Zones page (S2): submit the form 7 working days before the operation; its terms of access say at least 10 working days.
Request forms 004 and 006 (S9, S24): at least 14 days before the operation, otherwise not processed.
Distance from airports
DCA homepage, non-EU section (S1, S3): keep at least 8 km from airports and heliports.
Geozone decree and dataset (S27, S25): airport Zones A and B defined by polygons.
Unlabelled drones
Open Category page and 2025 guide (S13, S17): unlabelled drones fly as privately built, A1 under 250 g and A3 under 25 kg.
DCA homepage (S1): drones placed on the market after 2024-01-01 without a label may not fly in the open category; an older homepage variant (S8) bars all unlabelled drones from 2024-01-01.
Registration fee
DCA homepage, English and Greek (S1, S3): 15 EUR.
Useful-links page (S5): 10 EUR, and the exam free.
S5 is a leftover page carrying theme demo text; the homepage is current.
Residence for operator registration
Model-club leaflet, 2023 (S10): the operator must have main residence or place of business in Cyprus.
DCA homepage (S1): a non-EU resident flying first in Cyprus must register in Cyprus.

Registration processing time.
Whether any general third-party insurance is required outside airport Zone B and the specific category.
Any night-flying rule in the Republic.
Whether a visiting recreational pilot may use the airport Zone B and specific-category routes.
Drone rules at Akamas, Troodos, Cape Greco, Nissi Beach, Natura 2000 sites and archaeological sites (Department of Forests, Department of Antiquities, Department of Environment). The practice pass found no dated case at any of them in Greek or English.
Radio conformity for a drone bought outside the EU; OCECPR was not reached.
Customs treatment specific to drones and any confiscation power in the Republic. The practice pass found no customs or airport-security case at Larnaca or Paphos; the only seizures it found were of smuggling drones (2021, 2026).
Euro amounts of the Civil Aviation Law's fines, which the consolidated text prints in Cyprus pounds.
Licence and update cadence of the geozone dataset; the JSON (May 2025) predates three 2026 decrees.
Which drone rules apply in the north, where the Republic does not exercise effective control and EU law is suspended, and in the UN buffer zone. The practice pass recorded nothing about practice in the north or the buffer zone.
Whether the SBA drone ordinance has been amended since 2020, and how its reference to the Republic's 2015 registration Order maps onto EU registration.
Whether anyone has been fined or charged for a recreational drone flight in the Republic, including under the nationwide ban of 2026-03-04 to 2026-04-30, the EU summit ban of April 2026 or the 2025 ban near firefighting operations. The practice pass found no case, and no SBA Police drone arrest.
How the 2021 Nicosia drug-drone case and the two 2026 Central Prisons investigations ended.
The community record. Reddit and the pilot forums refuse every client this project uses, and philenews.com and in-cyprus.philenews.com refuse plain fetches, so community reports and most of the Greek-language press archive are unread.

What changed, and when

Dated changes to the rules, newest first.

30 April 2026
Decree KDP 217/2026 repeals the nationwide ban and replaces the temporary zone annex.
S37 S35
4 March 2026
Decree KDP 110/2026 bans all civil and private drone flights over the Republic and within 12 nautical miles of its coast, citing security conditions.
S36 S43 S44
2 January 2026
Decree KDP 3/2026 adds three temporary National Guard zones.
S38
9 May 2025
Decree KDP 123/2025 replaces the geozone annex.
S28 S16
31 May 2024
Decree KDP 190/2024 sets the national UAS geographical zones, administrators and access conditions.
S27 S7
1 January 2024
Drones placed on the market without a class identification label may no longer fly in the open category.
S1 S8
1 January 2021
EU Regulations 2019/945 and 2019/947 replace national drone rules in the Republic.
S1 S31 S17
19 September 2020
The SBA Air Navigation (Unmanned Aircraft) Ordinance 2020 and the Unmanned Aircraft Permissions 2020 come into force in Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
S40 S41

Checked 8 October 2026. Newer than that? Look here:

Rules move between our checks. The official pages publish the change; the community pages are where someone notices it first.

Official pages

DCA, UAS Cyprus homepageofficial
Visitor registration, fees, minimum ages and the current geozone file link.
DCA, Airport Geo-Zonesofficial
Zone A and Zone B terms at Larnaca and Paphos and the current request form.
DCA, About Geo-Zonesofficial
The geozone decrees and the administrators' application forms.
CyLaw, regulatory administrative acts of 2026official
New geozone decrees and any nationwide ban or its repeal appear here first, as in March and April 2026.
SBA Administration, legislation indexofficial
Drone rules for the Akrotiri and Dhekelia base areas and their amendments.

Where pilots report

Cyprus Mail, drones tagpress
The English-language daily's drone tag, back to 2021; it carried both prison drone cases, the 2021 drug drone and the bans of 2025 and 2026.
Politis English, drone tagpress
Politis in English; carries Cypriot drone news such as the June 2026 prison interception.
Sigmalive English, drones tagpress
Reprints Justice Ministry and Civil Aviation Department statements on drone incidents and bans.
Cyprus Police, press releasesofficial
The police's own announcements, including event drone bans such as the April 2026 EU summit ban; no drone case was found there in this pass.

Sources

Every page this brief rests on, with the date we opened it and, where the page carries one, the date printed on the document itself.

S1official
UAS Cyprus: Department of Civil Aviation Unmanned Aircraft
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
If you are coming from a non EU country and this is the FIRST time you will fly your drone in an EU country, you MUST register as an Operator into our systems
Rule page (current homepage).
S2official
Airport Geo-Zones
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
UAS operations inside this zone are strictly PROHIBITED because the risk of encounter with manned aircraft is very high
Rule page.
S3official
UAS Cyprus (Greek homepage)
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
Για να εγγραφείτ θα πρέπει να πληρώσετε το κόστος εγγραφής που είναι €15. Ο τρόπος πληρωμής γίνεται μόνο με κάρτα VISA
S4official
June24 homepage variant
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
Min. age for Registration is 18 years
Older copy of the homepage, same 15 EUR fees.
S5official
Useful Links
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
To submit your registration your need first to pay the registration administration fee which is €10.
Stale page with theme demo text; superseded by the homepage.
S6official
Airport Geo-Zones, Previous
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
Submission of requests must be at least 10 working days before the start of the intended UAS operation
Superseded version of S2; its Zone A by operational authorisation is no longer current.
S7official
About Geo-Zones
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
Flights in Restricted Zones (yellow color in the map) can only be conducted after authorisation form the Administrator of the zone
Rule page; links the decrees and the administrators' forms.
S8official
Homepage variant with the class label notice
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
From 01/01/2024 drones which DO NOT bear a Class Identification Label i.e C0 or C1 or C2 or C3 or C4 are NOT allowed to be operated in the “Open” Category
S9official
Airport Geographical Zones UAS Operations Request Form (issue 004)
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · document dated 2024-02 · opened 2026-10-08
the application must be submitted at least 14 days before the intended operation, otherwise it will not be processed any further
Superseded by issue 006 (S24); date from the upload path.
S10official
Flying Model Aircraft under new EU regulations
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · document dated 2023-08-15 · opened 2026-10-08
No minimum age applies to pilots when operating the device under the direct supervision of another pilot who is at least 16 years old
Leaflet for model flyers; date from PDF metadata.
S11official
Geographical Zones Map
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
Download GEO ZONES MAP (ver 09)
S12official
Certified Category
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
Please note that an unmanned aircraft cannot be registered in more than one Member State at a time.
S13official
Open Category
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
you may use a UA observer to scan the airspace when you want to fly in first person view
FAQ rule page.
S14official
Provisions applicable to both Open and Specific category (FAQ)
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus (EASA FAQ) · document dated 2020-11 · opened 2026-10-08
you as drone operator, will receive a unique registration number and this will be valid in all other EASA member State. You cannot register twice.
Date from the upload path.
S15official
Γεωγραφικές Ζώνες Αεροδρομίων
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
Οι παραβάσεις σε αυτή την ζώνη υπόκεινται σε βαριά πρόστιμα και φυλάκιση
S16official
Πληροφορίες για Γεωγραφικές Ζώνες
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
Με το υπουργικό διάταγμα 190/2024 όπως τροποποιήθηκε από το 123/2025
S17official
Guide for UAS Operators and Remote Pilots
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · document dated 2025-08-23 · opened 2026-10-08
the new regulation will remove the distinction between commercial and hobby operations
Date from PDF metadata; the text itself dates from before 2021.
S18official
Prohibitions and restrictions: Restrictions on importation
Customs and Excise Department, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
A licence from the Director of Communications, Ministry of Communications and Works
Trade list; not drone-specific.
S19official
Crossing Points: Green Line Regulations
Customs and Excise Department, Cyprus · document dated 2021-11-25 · opened 2026-10-08
The movement of radio equipment into the free areas for radio activity is prohibited, unless its owner is authorised for the usage of radio frequencies
Applies to goods crossing the Green Line, not to airport arrivals.
S20official
Bringing goods temporarily in the EU
Customs and Excise Department, Cyprus · document dated 2022-02-14 · opened 2026-10-08
Travellers’ personal effects for their own use during their journey
S21officialcould not be opened
Customs page cited by the gaps pass
Customs and Excise Department, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
HTTP 404.
S22official
Extended producer responsibility
Department of Environment, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
No drone, radio or traveller content; kept so the citation stays traceable.
S23official
June24 homepage variant (Greek)
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
αυτός ο χάρτης πρέπει επίσης να μεταφορτωθεί στο drone σας, εάν το drone σας είναι μία από τις ακόλουθες κατηγορίες: C1,C2,C3,C5,C6
S24official
National Airport Airspace Reservation Request Form (issue 006)
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · document dated 2025-06 · opened 2026-10-08
(3rd party insurance coverage of min. €1,000,000 required)
Current form, linked from S2; date from the upload path.
S25official
CYP Geo Zones JSON (version 06 May 2025)
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · document dated 2025-05-06 · opened 2026-10-08
Δύναται να λειτουργούν ηλεκτρονικά αντίμετρα πτήσης ΣμηΕΑ, που πιθανόν να προκαλέσουν την πτώση αυτού.
141 zones; linked from S1 and S2.
S26official
Cyprus Geo Zones Map, version 09 (KMZ)
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · document dated 2026-07 · opened 2026-10-08
CYPRUS GEO ZONES MAP ver09
Linked from S11; 141 zones in restricted and prohibited folders.
S27official
KDP 190/2024: geographical zones decree
Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus, Third Annex (I), No. 5875 · document dated 2024-05-31 · opened 2026-10-08
Όποιος παραβαίνει το παρόν Διάταγμα ... υπόκειται στις πρόνοιες των άρθρων 243 - 258 του Νόμου
Decree text, linked from S7. The annex table uses an unreadable font encoding, so the zone list was read from S25 and S26.
S28official
KDP 123/2025: geozone annex replacement
Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus, Third Annex (I), No. 5944 · document dated 2025-05-09 · opened 2026-10-08
Decree text, linked from S7.
S29official
Geo Zones JSON File
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
are required by law to download the geographical zones file developed and published by the Cyprus Department of Civil Aviation, in digital format (json)
Linked from S1.
S30official
Operational Authorisation
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
The processing time for an application, once submitted and all fees have been paid, is a minimum of 65 working days.
Linked from S1 and S2.
S31official
UAS Regulations
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
The common European rules on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) enter into force on 31/12/2020
Linked from S1; hosts the May 2025 consolidated EU regulations.
S32official
Cross Border Operations
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
Applicants must submit the application for Cross Border Operations at least 10 working days before the start of the intended operation.
Linked from S1.
S33official
UAS portal: create account
Department of Civil Aviation, Cyprus · opened 2026-10-08
First Name Surname Email Mobile Number Phone Number Fax Number Create Account
Sign-up form read without logging in; the login is email and password.
S34official
Civil Aviation Law 213(I)/2002 (consolidated)
CyLaw (Cyprus Bar Association) · opened 2026-10-08
τιμωρείται με φυλάκιση για χρονική περίοδο που δεν υπερβαίνει τα δύο έτη ή/και με χρηματική ποινή που δεν υπερβαίνει τις χίλιες πεντακόσιες λίρες
Statute text; articles 243 to 258 read, named by S27 article 7.
S35official
Regulatory administrative acts of 2026 (index)
CyLaw (Cyprus Bar Association) · opened 2026-10-08
ΚΔΠ 217/2026, Το περί Πολιτικής Αεροπορίας (Άρση της απαγόρρευσης πτητικών λειτουργιών ΣμηΕΑ στην Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία και τροποποίηση των γεωγραφικών ζωνών)
Index current to the Gazette of 2026-10-02; reached after a press lead, not from a cited page.
S36official
KDP 110/2026: ban on all UAS flights
Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus, Third Annex (I), No. 6001 · document dated 2026-03-04 · opened 2026-10-08
απαγορεύει για οποιονδήποτε λόγο όλες τις πτητικές λειτουργίες πολιτικών/ιδιωτικών ΣμηΕΑ στην Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία
Repealed by S37.
S37official
KDP 217/2026: lifting of the UAS ban and geozone amendment
Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus, Third Annex (I), No. 6020 · document dated 2026-04-30 · opened 2026-10-08
Με το παρόν Διάταγμα καταργείται το περί Πολιτικής Αεροπορίας (Απαγόρευση όλων των πτητικών λειτουργιών ΣμηΕΑ
In force on publication.
S38official
KDP 3/2026: geozone amendment (No. 2) of 2025
Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus, Third Annex (I), No. 5990 · document dated 2026-01-02 · opened 2026-10-08
τρείς (3) νέες περιοχές
Temporary National Guard zones; its annex was replaced by S37.
S39official
Administration Notice (21): the regulation of unmanned aircraft in the SBA
Sovereign Base Areas Administration · document dated 2020-09-18 · opened 2026-10-08
The aircraft must only be flown between sunrise and sunset
Guidance summarising the Ordinance; found through the SBA legislation index (S42).
S40official
Air Navigation (Unmanned Aircraft) Ordinance 2020 (Ordinance 31/2020)
Sovereign Base Areas Administration · document dated 2020-09-18 · opened 2026-10-08
An unmanned aircraft may only be flown over the land described in the Schedule if
Statute as published; amendments not checked.
S41official
Unmanned Aircraft Permissions 2020 (PI 19/2020)
Sovereign Base Areas Administration · document dated 2020-09-16 · opened 2026-10-08
permission is granted to fly the aircraft for the purposes of aerial work
S42official
SBA legislation index
Sovereign Base Areas Administration · opened 2026-10-08
Air Navigation (Unmanned Aircraft) Ordinance 2020 * (31/2020)
Lists acts into 2026.
S43press
Drone flights over Cyprus banned until further notice
Cyprus Mail · document dated 2026-03-04 · opened 2026-10-08
the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works signed a decree prohibiting the flights of civil unmanned aircraft (drones), for any reason
Used only to date the announcement; the decree is S36.
S44press
Drone flights banned by Transport Minister's decree
Sigmalive · opened 2026-10-08
The decree takes effect immediately and will remain in force until a new announcement is issued.
S45press
Drug-drone catches drug squad off guard
Cyprus Mail · document dated 2021-01-13 · opened 2026-10-08
seized a drone carrying 60 grammes of cannabis that was spotted hovering in Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia near the crossing point
Seizure on Tuesday evening, 2021-01-12, after a resident's tip. A smuggling flight, not a recreational one.
S46press
Police suspect they found drone drug dealer
Cyprus Mail · document dated 2021-02-27 · opened 2026-10-08
witness testimony has now connected the 27-year-old man with the case involving a drone found on January 12
Rearrest of a suspect already in custody; no charge or court outcome reported.
S47press
Drone carrying suspicious package intercepted at central prisons
Cyprus Mail · document dated 2026-06-18 · opened 2026-10-08
Prison officers immediately impounded both the device and its cargo.
Justice Ministry account; no arrests announced and police investigations continuing.
S48press
Attempt to smuggle items into prison with drone
Sigmalive · document dated 2026-06-18 · opened 2026-10-08
the system identified a drone carrying a package intended for delivery inside the prison complex
Same event as S47, on Thursday morning 2026-06-18.
S49press
Anti-drone system deployed at Central Prison after smuggling attempt
Sigmalive · document dated 2026-04-28 · opened 2026-10-08
The confiscated items were handed over to the Cyprus Police, which has launched an investigation
The drop happened 48 hours after the anti-drone system was switched on; the article prints no event date.
S50press
Use of private drones during wildfires banned
Cyprus Mail · document dated 2025-08-27 · opened 2026-10-08
have been reported flying dangerously close to manned aircraft during firefighting efforts in various parts of Cyprus
Civil Aviation Department statement: "Violators will be prosecuted." No case named.
S51press
Larnaca airport threats put through paces
Cyprus Mail · document dated 2025-01-25 · opened 2026-10-08
The exercise was conducted due to increased drone activity recorded around the airport
Transport ministry exercise on Saturday 2025-01-25; a simulated drone near the runway, no real case.
S52press
Police announce drone ban and Navtex during EU summit
Cyprus Mail · document dated 2026-04-22 · opened 2026-10-08
the use of drones will be strictly prohibited
Island-wide ban for the informal EU summit of 2026-04-23 and 24 under a transport minister's decree; no penalty stated.
S53secondary
Drone Laws In Cyprus: Complete Guide 2026
Propel RC · document dated 2026-02-16 · opened 2026-10-08
Multiple tourists have reported equipment confiscation at airports for lack of registration.
Commercial guide, cited only as the origin of unsourced claims: its fines and confiscations name no person, place or date. Date is its "Updated On" line.