Cyprus hotels face permitting issues. MPs demand further postponement

Hotels in Cyprus may be given another two years to get their paperwork in order. According to Politis, around 350 hotels and other accommodation facilities may not obtain the required fire safety certificates by February 28, 2027. MPs are proposing an extension of this deadline to avoid closures.

This is still a draft, not a finalized change to the law. The number of approximately 350 facilities doesn't mean that all of them have been deemed immediately unsafe or have been closed. The dispute concerns arrears in permits, the effectiveness of supervision, and the conditions for continued operation.

Hotels in Cyprus are waiting for the parliament's decision.

The proposal, presented by members of parliament from DISY, DIKO, and ELAM, extends two separate deadlines, each covering different administrative situations.

The first covers fire safety documentation required for the continued operation of facilities covered by the relevant transitional provisions. The second applies to eligible hotels and tourist facilities with a building permit that are still applying for a full operating permit.

Therefore, both dates should not be treated as one general deadline for the entire industry.

Official delays and construction discrepancies

The project's authors point out the lengthy procedures for obtaining documents and approvals from various institutions. The additional time is intended to allow businesses to complete these procedures.

Politis notes, however, that the problem also extends to planning and construction discrepancies. In such cases, simply waiting for the document doesn't resolve the issue.

Another postponement therefore raises questions about the effectiveness of existing solutions. For companies, it means the ability to continue operating, while for the state, it means the obligation to ensure that the requirements are actually met.

What did the previous inspection show?

The July report by the Cyprus Audit Office presented data on 728 hotels and tourist facilities. Of these, 168 were fully licensed, while 158 operated under temporary arrangements. The remaining 402 were neither fully licensed nor temporarily authorized.

This is a historical snapshot presented in the report, not a current listing of the status of each hotel. The group of 402 properties also cannot be equated with the approximately 350 units described in the latest Politis material.

Auditors highlighted insufficient oversight, weak enforcement of regulations, and unequal competition. Businesses that have incurred the costs of adapting their facilities are competing with entities with disorganized documentation.

Postponement does not remove security requirements

Cyprus Mail emphasizes that the proposed extension does not exempt businesses from health and safety requirements. Depending on the facility's equipment, documents related to fire safety, hygiene, swimming pools, electrical installations, elevators, and gas installations, among other things, are important.

Supporters of the project warn of the consequences of closures on employment and the economy. However, the economic argument does not determine whether a specific facility meets the requirements.

For a guest, the most important factor is the situation of their chosen hotel. General information about industry issues is not a substitute for checking its status.

How to check hotels in Cyprus before booking?

The Deputy Ministry of Tourism publishes official lists of hotels and other accommodation facilities, including regional listings. Lists with updated dates are available on the ministry's website.

Designation L indicates a licensed object. P indicates an ongoing licensing and classification process; the category given for such a facility is indicative.

The status of an ongoing procedure alone does not constitute an imminent threat. Furthermore, the presence of a hotel on a booking platform does not confirm the completeness of its administrative documentation.

When planning your stay, it's a good idea to keep your booking confirmation and any correspondence regarding accommodation conditions. If you have any questions about a specific property, it's best to clarify them before making a non-refundable payment.