Crossing the Green Line in Cyprus: Have the checkpoints reopened?

UPDATED AS OF 23 MARCH, 2021

In accordance with the latest decision of the TRNC Council of Ministers, everyone who crosses a Green Line will be subject to 10-days quarantine upon the crossing to Northern Cyprus.

However, the following categories are able to cross the check points without undertaking a 10-days quarantine upon traveling to Northern Cyprus.

1-    Patients, residing in the TRNC and receiving medical treatment in the South or vica versa, are able to enter TRNC without quarantine if they provide a negative PCR test that has been taken within 72 hours. After returning to the TRNC, the person must take further PCR tests on the 7th and the 14th day.

2-    People who trade under the Green Line Regulation are not subject to the quarantine, only if they received a permission to trade from the District Police Department.

3-    Students who are studying in the South but residing in the North are permitted to cross the check points provided they have proof of negative PCR test taken within less than 7 days.

4-    People who reside in the TRNC and work in South Cyprus or vica versa may cross the check points if they provide a PCR test taken within less than 7 days.

5-    People residing in the TRNC who want to travel abroad via South Cyprus, may do so by using the taxi service with a “T” permit. However, such crossing is only permitted for transfers to Larnaca Airport.

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We would like to provide you with the following information. Greek Cypriot authorities are implementing very strict rules regarding the crossings.

Currently they are not allowing anyone other that Cypriot citizens and legal residents of
South Cyprus to go through the checkpoints. If you have arrived in Cyprus through Larnaca or if you plan to do so, and you do not fall into the above categories, you should be aware of the following: Greek Cypriot authorities will not allow you to cross through the checkpoint at Metehan / Agios Dometios. It is possible to cross from the South to the North through the checkpoint in Beyarmudu / Pergamos, which lies at the border between TRNC and the British base in Dhekelia.

However, the British authorities are refusing the re-entry into the South through that checkpoint. This has practically meant that some EU and non-EU citizens arriving through Larnaca had to change their flight plans and fly out of Ercan.

It has been reported that some embassies, particularly those of EU countries, have assisted their citizens who were stuck in TRNC in crossing over to the South.

However, there is no formally established procedure for this. The situation is not stable and there is a high chance that the rules can change at any moment.

We recommend that you check up-to date information from official sources, before flying to South Cyprus with purpose of visiting Northern Cyprus.