Cyprus

Cyprus strictly enforces zero tolerance on illegal drugs including cannabis and laughing gas; carrying even small amounts can mean jail, including during airport transit.

Severe penalties including lengthy jail and heavy fines.

Confirm your prescription medication is legal with the Republic of Cyprus embassy and carry it in original packaging with your prescription; some home-country medications may be illegal in Cyprus.

Unlawful medication may be confiscated or result in criminal charges.

Declare EUR 10,000 or more (or equivalent in other currencies or gold) between Cyprus and any non-EU country; no declaration needed to/from another EU country.

Fines for failure to declare or incorrect declarations.

Strict controls apply to items bought in northern Cyprus when crossing south (food/goods may be quarantined); live animals including pets cannot be moved between north and south.

Items may be confiscated; fines possible.

Car insurance bought in the government-controlled south is NOT valid in the Turkish Cypriot-administered north; buy separate insurance at the UN buffer-zone crossing points.

Driving uninsured in the north may bring arrest if the vehicle is damaged and costs can't be paid.

Traffic moves on the left in Cyprus — the opposite of most of Europe; look both ways carefully before crossing.

Cyprus regulates drone use, including which drones can fly without a licence and where and when they may be flown.

Photographing military installations or anything of security interest is strictly forbidden throughout Cyprus; obey 'no photography' signs — police and military on both sides enforce this.

Arrest possible; strictly enforced on both sides.

Same-sex sexual relations are legal in Cyprus, and there are no legal restrictions on same-sex relations or LGBTQ+ events in either the Republic of Cyprus or the Turkish Cypriot-administered north; societal discrimination can still occur.

Buying, selling, or renting property without the owner's consent is a crime in Cyprus, and intending to buy disputed property in the north is also a crime — officials may treat property pamphlets as evidence of intent.

Criminal proceedings possible; arrests have occurred over land-registry documents.