Cyprus-Israeli Yachts sailing to the northern part of Cyprus (area not under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus)

• According to information received from Cypriot Authorities, yacht owners sailing to ports in the northern part of Cyprus (area not under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus) take the risk of being immediately arrested, of being put on a trial, of paying penalties and even of being imprisoned in accordance with the penal code of the Republic of Cyprus.

• Laws and regulations of the Republic of Cyprus impose restrictions on purchasing property in the northern part of Cyprus (area not under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus), following the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.
• Violators of these laws take the risk of being arrested upon arrival to the Republic of Cyprus, with being put on a trial and with being imprisoned in accordance with the penal code.
• Furthermore, violators of the above laws can face legal action in any of the European Union member states, with all its ramifications.
• Therefore, we draw the attention of individuals intending to purchase property in the northern part of the island – it is highly recommended to seek legal advice from an independent and reliable source.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to emphasize, that in any case, any and all business transactions are executer’s sole responsibility.

• Travelers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus may enter or exit the Republic only through the points of entry and exit declared by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus as lawful, namely the Larnaca and Pafos International Airports, or the ports of Larnaka, Lemesos (Limassol), Latsi and Pafos. Entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus through any illegal point of entry situated in the Turkish-occupied non – government controlled areas is illegal under Cyprus law and constitutes a criminal offence punishable by up to 12 month imprisonment or a fine or both.

• Overnight stay in the Turkish-occupied areas is discouraged for reasons of conformity of the establishments in the occupied area with hygienic, security and other standards. Any claims for compensation based on established Israeli or European consumer protection acts can be denied by the occupation regime as the subordinate to Turkey local administration in the occupied area of the Republic is deprived of any legal status. The authorities of the Republic or Israeli Authorities will be unable to offer any help in case of accident, injury, theft, illness etc. and thus foreign nationals may find themselves isolated in the case of need.

• The majority of the hotels operating in the occupied part of Cyprus belong to Greek Cypriots displaced persons or have been illegally built on properties belonging to displaced Greek Cypriots, in violation of the latter’s property rights and without their consent. Under Cyprus law, Greek Cypriot property owners may bring legal actions before the competent Courts of the Republic against trespassers to their properties in the Turkish occupied area, claiming damages and other legal remedies available to them under civil law. Judgments of the civil Courts of the Republic of Cyprus can also be enforced in any Member State of the EU against the assets of the defendants in that State.
• Staying in Greek Cypriot owned hotels in the occupied areas (see attached list), which are being illegally exploited, would put you at great risk of possible legal action on the part of the owners, as it constitutes a criminal offence, for which a European or an international arrest warrant can be issued.