All About Parking in Cyprus
We explain when you can park for free, when you have to pay, and where parking is prohibited altogether.
Free Parking in Cyprus
If there are no signs indicating paid parking, and no restrictions according to traffic rules, you can park for free. Such spots can be found everywhere, although they are much harder to find in major tourist locations.
Additionally, you can park for free at large stores, shopping centers, and some paid parking lots on weekends and at night (check payment terminals for details).
Paid Parking in Cyprus
Paid parking in Cyprus is divided into public and private. Prices start from 50 cents per hour and increase with demand—the closer to the city center or popular attractions, the more expensive.
Municipal Parking
Also known as public parking. These are most of the parking lots in cities, with payment made at terminals displaying the “Pay here” sign, visible from several meters away.
Information about parking fees is available at each terminal, along with details about times or days when parking is free. Parking terminals come in two types.
Parking Meter with Receipts
This type of terminal prints a receipt after payment showing the paid time. Place the receipt on your windshield so that the time is clearly visible. Some meters provide receipts with adhesive sections for convenience.
Parking Meter with Timer
These terminals are usually found on small streets. After paying with coins, they start a countdown timer; once it expires, you must either move your car or add more coins.
Private Parking
These parking lots are often near popular attractions or stores. If located on a city street, you’ll see white squares on the asphalt and the word “Parking.” Payment is made to the parking attendant on site.
Where You Can't Park in Cyprus
Parking is prohibited in these areas, whether free or paid.
- Where parking is explicitly prohibited by road signs
- Along a yellow curb line (you can load/unload passengers if the line is single)
- On the opposite side of the road—parking is only allowed in the direction of traffic
- Within 10 meters of an intersection
- Within 15 meters of a pedestrian crossing
- At bus stops and traffic lights
- On sidewalks and spaces reserved for disabled persons
Fines for Parking Violations in Cyprus
If you exceed the parking time or fail to pay, you will be fined between 10 and 30 euros.
For violating any of the prohibitions listed above, the fine is 100 euros. Parking near pedestrian crossings or bus stops incurs a 150 euro fine, and parking in spaces reserved for disabled persons costs 300 euros.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parking in Cyprus
How much does parking cost in Cyprus?
On municipal parking lots with barriers, the first hour is usually the most expensive, with costs decreasing for subsequent hours—e.g., 2 euros for the first hour, 1 euro for the next, and 50 cents thereafter. For parking meters, the rates are more straightforward—0.5 euros per hour, 1 euro for 2 hours, etc. More details can be found in our article on parking costs in Cyprus.
Where can I pay a parking fine?
You can pay the fine offline at the municipality that issued it or at a police station, as well as online—here's a guide on how to pay a fine online in Cyprus.
How do I pay a parking fine when renting a car?
In most cases, the fine will be deducted from your deposit, but depending on your rental agreement, you may also be able to pay it yourself. Renting a car is best done online—through platforms like Localrent, Discover Cars, or other aggregators. For more information, read our article on renting a car in Cyprus.
How many days do I have to pay the fine?
You have 30 days to pay the fine issued by traffic police. After that, the fine will increase by 50%, and you will have another 15 days to pay the increased amount. After 45 days (30 + 15), the case will be taken to court.
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Author
Born and raised in Yekaterinburg, visited more than 40 countries, lived in the USA for some time, and in 2022, moved to Northern Cyprus. Education: Ural State University (now Ural Federal University), Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. Professional Experience: Since 2008, worked in the…
