€3,000 fine proposed for illegal wells in Cyprus

On September 8, the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture began considering a bill on water resources management. The bill proposes a €3,000 fine for illegal boreholes, wells and other unauthorized water abstraction structures, while those already drilled without a permit could be legalized by paying double the licensing fee.

The government prepared the document under pressure from the European Union: infringement proceedings have been launched against Cyprus over the delayed review of water abstraction permits. The Council of Ministers approved the bill on March 11, 2026, and it was submitted to parliament on April 6.

The key provision is the mandatory review of water abstraction permits every 12 years. The bill also provides for mandatory measures to remedy environmental damage, while the membership of the Water Resources Advisory Committee would be expanded to include five representatives of district local government authorities.

The environmental organization Terra Cypria supported reviewing permits every 12 years but opposed legalizing illegal boreholes, arguing that such an amnesty rewards violators. Environmentalists consider the €3,000 fine too lenient and are calling for the minimum amount to be raised to €5,000, as well as for violators to be required to restore the site.

The island’s groundwater is in serious condition: 43% of reserves are affected by seawater intrusion, 33% by chemical pollution, and only 20% are in good condition. Agriculture accounts for the largest share of water abstraction at 63.6%; 18.23% is used for cooling in electricity generation, and 16.96% for public water supply.