From the golden sands of Ayia Napa to the ancient ruins of Paphos—a holiday to Cyprus won't disappoint. But, before you grab your suitcase and head to the airport, it's worth getting clued up on what travel insurance you might need. If you're ready to start looking at policies, you can click 'get a quote'. Otherwise, just keep on reading!
Let's take a look at what insurance might be the most ideal for you:
Standard travel insurance coverage can vary from insurer to insurer. So, make sure you check your policy documents to know exactly what protection you have.
That said, let's take a look at what a standard travel insurance policy usually offers below:
If you're ill or injured and need emergency medical treatment.
If you need to be returned home to receive emergency medical care. Without insurance, this could cost thousands of pounds.
If your luggage is stolen, damaged or accidentally lost. Most policies also include personal possessions, like a passport.
If something out of your control disrupts your travel plans. For example, wildfires in Cyprus happen randomly and can disrupt your travel plans. This is more common in summer when temperatures are the highest.
Earthquakes and tremors happen on the island. In the event of an incident cancelling or cutting short your holiday, you could be covered. This could also be for example due to a death in the family.
If the FCDO advises against travel but you go anyway, you'll invalidate your policy.
If you fail to declare a pre-existing medical conditions and need treatment for it while in Cyprus.
Sports and activities that are considered high-risk usually aren't covered by standard insurance. For example, if you plan to go paragliding, you'll likely need to consider an activity travel insurance.
If anything happens as a result of these substances, you won't be covered.
If you have a change of heart and decide you no longer want to go on holiday.
Healthcare is considered to be of a high standard in Cyprus. But, keep in mind—Cyprus's national health service works a little differently to the NHS.
State healthcare isn't totally free in Cyprus. Instead, costs are covered through co-payments covered by Cypriot citizens and the state. So, make sure to have your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. These cards will grant you access to the same level of healthcare Cypriot nationals are entitled to at government hospitals.
Don't have one or it's expired? No worries. You can apply for a new one.
But, it's important to keep in mind that neither of these cards are a replacement for travel insurance.
These are some costs your GHIC or EHIC card won't cover, such as:
Having the right travel policy could offer cover in these types of situations. And, if you have an emergency and need to go to the hospital—contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Most insurance policies have a dedicated 24/7 helpline for medical emergencies. So, make sure you read your policy details and make a note of it.
Helpful hint: Take some time to look up nearby medical facilities. That way, you'll know where to go if needed.
When you think of Cyprus, relaxing on golden sandy beaches or taking a dip in a sparkling blue pool probably comes to mind. But, beyond the leisure, Cyprus also offers plenty of thrilling activities like jet skiing and paragliding!
But, not all activities are covered by standard travel insurance. So, it's important to check your policy to make sure you're covered for everything you plan to do. If anything on your itinerary isn't included, you might need enhanced cover with a policy add-on. These can offer enhanced cover, and you can add them to your policy for an extra cost.
Psst! If you're unsure about your cover, don't worry—figuring out what you need extra protection for can be confusing! Just contact your insurer for clarity, they'll be more than happy to help you.
Let's take a look at some policy add-ons that could be relevant for your trip to Cyprus:
Cyprus has a great reputation for golfing with some fantastic courses on offer! One of the most popular is the Aphrodite Hills Resort, which is the only PGA-titled course in the country.
Standard travel insurance will probably cover a round or two of golf as part of your holiday and other activities. But, if you're bringing your own clubs or going on a golf-focused holiday, this add-on is worth considering. It can cover the loss, theft or or the cost of missing a game if your clubs are delayed, missed greens fees and even cover a round of drinks if you get a hole in one!
Most standard travel insurance will cover typical holiday activities, like spending a day at Fasouri Watermania or WaterWorld Waterpark. But, if you're planning on taking part in more adventurous activities, like hiking, you might need extra coverage, like trekking insurance. Not having the right cover could void your policy and leave you to cover medical costs if you get injured. So, stay safe by making sure you're fully covered for everything you plan to do.
Nope, you won't need to get a visa to travel to Cyprus. Yay!
In fact, you'll be able to travel visa-free for up to 90 days, like other countries in the Schengen area. This applies if you travel:
If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa.
And, keep in mind, you might be asked to do the following at Cyprus Border Control:
Heads up: Make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit. If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left Cyprus. For example, a boarding pass or ticket. Then, ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.
Most tourists visit the Republic of Cyprus, also known as the Greek south. But, you can travel between the south and Turkish-controlled north via designated crossing points. But, this is only as long as you first arrived in the south.
If you arrive in the north, such as through Ercan airport, crossing into the south can be more complicated. The authorities in the Republic of Cyprus might consider entering from the north as illegal. This could lead to:
To avoid issues, it's important to understand the rules before crossing between the north and the south. You can learn more about this, and entry requirements for Cyprus on GOV.UK..
"From historical sites, sandy beaches to a big and vibrant nightlife scene—Cyprus has everything! Crime against tourists is generally quite low across the island compared to other countries. But as with any popular tourist destination, thieves and pickpockets may be around. So, make sure you have all your important belongings hidden. If anything does happen, travel insurance can be there to cover theft or loss. Phew!"
While crime levels in Cyprus are generally low, it's always a good idea to stay cautious. Keep your passports, money, and other valuables secure and out of sight, just to be on the safe side. GOV.UK has also noted the possibility of drink spiking, though the risk is small. To stay safe, make sure you're buying your own drinks, not letting them out of sight and sticking with people you know.
You can get more advice on safety and security in Cyprus from GOV.UK
Cyprus is just 2 hours ahead of the UK. It's a small time difference, so you should find it easy to stay in touch with loved ones back home. But, it's helpful to keep in mind so you can plan calls or check-ins without any issues.
Most travellers to Cyprus will stick to the southern part of the island. But, it's worth knowing that the north and south are different in some important ways. For example, while homosexuality is legal across Cyprus, the LGBTQ+ community might not be widely accepted in the north.
Plenty of locals and staff will be able to communicate in English. So, you shouldn't need to worry about a language barrier. But, learning a few key phrases in Greek or Turkish can be really helpful, especially if you'll be venturing beyond the main tourist areas. In the more remote areas, especially in the north, locals might not speak English. So, knowing a little of the language can go a long way.
The currency used in the south of Cyprus is the euro. If you're heading north, the main currency is the Turkish Lira. That said, some places in the north might accept euros, pounds or even dollars. But, the exchange rates usually aren't great. So, if you're planning to spend time on this side of the island, it's worth getting Turkish Lira in advance. That way, you'll avoid paying more than necessary.
Renting a car is a great way to explore the island. Just keep in mind that your UK car insurance won't cover you unless you bring your own registered car. Most policies will offer 30 days of third-party cover. But, if you'd like more comprehensive cover, you can consider European car insurance.
If you're renting, make sure you check with the car hire company about what their insurance options are. Ask to know what they'll cover, including excess fees, so you're aware of what you might need to pay out on if there's an accident.
Just a heads up—many well-known international car rental companies operate in Cyprus, so you'll be in safe hands hiring a car. But, you might not be able to use a rental car in North Cyprus. So, double-check this with the rental company if that's part of your plan.
Oh, and good news: Cyprus drives on the left side of the road!
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