Cars in Cyprus: Buying, Importing & Re-Registering – The Practical Guide

First things first: Buy or import?

The honest answer up front: for the vast majority of German-speaking newcomers to Cyprus – especially in Paphos – buying a used car locally is the more pragmatic choice. The main reason isn't price, but the steering. Cyprus drives on the left, and vehicles here are right-hand drive (steering wheel on the right). A typical German left-hand-drive car is perfectly legal to use on Cypriot roads, but it's noticeably less comfortable on narrow mountain roads, when overtaking and at roundabouts – and harder to offload when you come to resell it.

Importing makes sense mainly in three cases: you're emotionally attached to your car, it's a rare or high-value model that's barely available locally, or you're relocating with a full household move and the car is "coming along anyway." In all other cases, a local used car saves you weeks of bureaucracy.

This guide covers both routes – plus the topics that affect everyone: adjusting to left-hand traffic, the MOT (technical inspection), insurance, road tax, driving-licence conversion and running costs. Important: this is orientation, not legal or tax advice. All fees, deadlines and tax rules can change – please confirm with the relevant authorities (Cyprus Customs, Department of Road Transport) before taking any step.

Left-hand traffic: the mental adjustment

Cyprus is one of the few EU countries with left-hand traffic (a British legacy). People coming from Germany tend to underestimate this – it's more than just "driving the other way round."

The first few days

• Roundabouts are the most common source of mistakes: you go clockwise, and right of way belongs to whoever is coming from the right – on the inside.
• Look right first, then left, then right (the reverse of Germany).
• Turning: when turning left you don't cross oncoming traffic (easy); when turning right you do (caution).
• Wipers instead of indicators: in a right-hand-drive car the stalks are often swapped – the classic move is switching on the wipers while turning. Harmless, but typical.

Practical tips for Paphos and the surrounding area

Practise your first drives outside rush hour and, at first, avoid the mountain roads up into the Troodos or the narrow lanes of the old towns. The A6 motorway (Paphos–Limassol) is well built and a relaxed route for getting used to things. Expect two to three weeks before driving on the left becomes "automatic." A tip from the community: a small "KEEP LEFT" sticker on the dashboard helps especially after trips abroad, when your brain briefly switches back to right-hand driving.

Route 1: Buying a used car locally

The local used-car market in Cyprus is lively. Sources include dealers (in Paphos around the industrial areas and along the main arterial roads), online platforms (bazaraki.com is by far the largest classifieds portal on the island) and notices in the expat groups.

What to look out for

• Vehicle origin: many used cars are themselves imports from Japan or the UK. That isn't bad in itself, but it affects spare-parts availability and resale value.
• Rust and air conditioning: salty coastal air and heat are the two big enemies. Check the underbody/wheel arches and whether the air conditioning really cools cold – an A/C repair is expensive.
• Valid MOT: ask to see the current MOT status (see below). Without a valid technical inspection you may not drive and cannot re-register.
• Road tax (Circulation Licence): check whether the current road tax is paid – outstanding amounts can become an issue when ownership changes.
• No outstanding fines/liens: ideally have the vehicle status checked with the Department of Road Transport or via a lawyer/service.

Transfer of ownership at the Department of Road Transport

The change of keeper goes through the Department of Road Transport (DRT / "Τμήμα Οδικών Μεταφορών") or a Citizen Service Centre (KEP). The typical process:

1. Buyer and seller appear together (or with a notarised power of attorney) at the authority or the KEP.
2. The change-of-keeper form is filled in. (Note: form numbers are quoted differently online – don't rely on a number from a blog; use the form the authority hands you.)
3. There must be valid insurance and a valid MOT on the vehicle.
4. A transfer fee is payable – in practice this is in the single-digit to low double-digit euro range (a figure around 8–10 € is often cited, as of 2026; please confirm the current amount).
5. A new registration document (logbook/ownership certificate) is issued in the buyer's name.

Tip: if possible, pay the purchase price only once the transfer has actually been completed – or use an escrow/lawyer service. This protects you from outstanding fines or liens that could otherwise pass to you.

Route 2: Importing from Germany / the EU

Importing isn't rocket science, but it's a process with several stages: transport → customs/declaration → MOT → re-registration/first registration. Because Cyprus is an island, the car almost always comes by ship.

2.1 Transport / shipping

Two methods are common:

Method	What it is	Approx. transit	Cost range (rough)
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)	The car is driven onto a car-ferry ship	approx. 4–6 weeks	usually cheaper
Container	The car is loaded into a container (more secure)	approx. 3–5 weeks	usually pricier

Most vehicles arrive via the Port of Limassol (sometimes Larnaca). Actual prices vary widely by departure port, season and provider – get several quotes from specialist car shippers. The ranges often quoted for US routes are only of limited help for Germany; rely on concrete quotes from a German or northern European port. As a rough ballpark, sea transport alone is quoted in the single- to low four-digit euro range, plus port/handling fees – that's just a guide figure, not a fixed price.

2.2 Customs and declaration

Here's the most important YMYL warning in this article: for customs and tax, rely exclusively on Cyprus Customs & Excise and the Ministry of Finance. The following points are general orientation, not binding customs statements.

• EU goods = no import duty: for a vehicle in free circulation within the EU (e.g. a car registered in Germany), no customs duty generally applies within the EU. You will, however, need proof of EU status.
• EORI number: according to reports, since 2024 Cyprus Customs also requires private individuals importing a vehicle to have an EORI number. Clarify this in advance.
• VAT (19%): VAT can become relevant if the vehicle counts as a "new means of transport" (rule of thumb in EU logic: less than 6 months old OR fewer than 6,000 km). Older/driven cars usually don't fall under this. This is a simplified picture – have your individual case confirmed.
• Registration tax/charges based on CO₂: Cyprus levies charges on first registration based primarily on CO₂ emissions and vehicle age (the former excise-duty system was overhauled). Higher emissions = higher tax. Reliable figures are only available via the official calculator or the authority.

In concrete euro terms this can range from a few hundred to four-digit amounts – seriously calculable in advance only through the official bodies. Anyone importing a high-CO₂ car should do the maths beforehand, otherwise the registration tax eats up the advantage of bringing "your own" car.

2.3 Technical inspection (MOT) and Single Vehicle Approval

Before an imported car can be registered, it must pass the Cypriot vehicle technical inspection – almost always called the "MOT" locally (after the British model), carried out at certified IKTEO (private) or KEMO (public) test centres under the supervision of the Department of Road Transport.

• Imported used vehicles must pass the inspection before Cypriot first registration, then generally every 2 years.
• For vehicles without matching EU type approval or with modifications, a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) may be required. Keep the manufacturer's Certificate of Conformity (CoC) ready – it simplifies the process considerably.

2.4 Re-registration / first registration at the Department of Road Transport

After customs clearance and a passed MOT, first registration takes place at the DRT. An important point from several first-hand accounts: after customs clearance there is often a short deadline (several sources cite around 10 days) within which registration must be completed. You also need car insurance valid in Cyprus before number plates are issued. Plan these steps tightly timed – please confirm the deadline and the exact documents with the authority.

Car insurance in Cyprus

Third-party liability (third-party) is a legal requirement – without it you can neither re-register nor get a number plate issued. There are the usual three tiers:

Cover	What it covers	Typical annual guide figure
Third-Party	Damage to others	from approx. 180 €
Third-Party Fire & Theft	+ fire/theft	in between
Comprehensive	+ your own damage	up to 1,000 €+

The range is wide and depends on age, driving history, vehicle and no-claims record (guide figures as of 2026). A no-claims bonus from Germany can often be recognised – ask for it actively and have your claim-free years confirmed by your German insurer. Compare several providers; in Paphos there are numerous local brokers used to German-speaking customers. Premiums have risen noticeably of late, so comparing pays off.

Road tax (Circulation Licence)

The annual road tax (officially the Circulation Licence) is paid through the Department of Road Transport and is based – depending on the year of first registration – on engine capacity (older vehicles) or CO₂ emissions plus an age surcharge (newer ones).

• Range: roughly from around 10 € to well over 1,000 € per year, depending on emissions/engine capacity (guide figure 2026).
• Electric cars: are, as things currently stand, exempt from road tax – a genuine argument for an EV in Cyprus.
• Payment: online via the DRT portal or at the KEP; selectable for 3/6/9/12 months.
• Deadline: renewal has an annual cut-off window (in recent years in the first quarter; in 2026 the deadline was extended due to the website being overloaded). Being late costs you – reports mention a penalty of around 10 € plus a surcharge of roughly 10% on the amount.
• Prerequisite: valid insurance and a valid MOT.

Driving-licence conversion (EU)

Good news for EU citizens: a valid EU driving licence is recognised in Cyprus – you may drive on it. Conversion is voluntary as long as the licence is valid.

It becomes important in these cases:

• You are resident in Cyprus (generally from around 6 months' stay) and your EU licence expires, is lost or is stolen → then a Cypriot licence is generally required.
• Many expats convert the licence anyway once they're staying permanently, to avoid the hassle later.

Conversion goes through the Department of Road Transport. You typically need to bring the original licence, ID/passport, proof of residence, passport photos and a completed application form; sometimes a medical/eyesight certificate is required. Please check the exact requirements and fees with the DRT – they change from time to time.

Running costs at a glance

So you have a realistic budget, here are the recurring items as rough guide figures (as of 2026, highly vehicle-dependent):

Item	Frequency	Guide figure
MOT (technical inspection)	every 2 years (cars)*	roughly 35–46 € (an increase was recently up in the air politically)
Insurance	annual	from approx. 180 € up to 1,000 €+
Road tax	annual	approx. 10 € to 1,000 €+ (EV: 0 €)
Fuel	ongoing	usually a bit cheaper than in Germany, fluctuates
Change-of-keeper fee	one-off per purchase	low single- to double-digit euro range

*Vehicles newly first-registered in Cyprus, in practice, only need their first MOT after around 4 years, then every 2 years; imports before that. Please confirm the current rules.

Realistic rule of thumb: a small to mid-size used car costs, over the year (excluding fuel/repairs), often roughly 250–600 € depending on insurance and tax. With a high-emission imported car this can be considerably higher.

Common pitfalls (from experience)

• Missing the deadline after customs clearance – the tight time window for first registration is often underestimated.
• Wrong assumptions about tax exemption when relocating – there are sometimes reliefs for transfer-of-residence goods, but conditions and deadlines are strict and must be clarified with customs. Never rely on hearsay from Facebook groups.
• Forgetting the MOT before re-registering an import – no MOT, no registration.
• Underestimating left-hand drive – often a minus point when reselling in Cyprus.
• Taking out insurance too late – without a valid policy there's no number plate.

Conclusion: decide pragmatically

For most people in Paphos and across the island the rule holds: a local used car beats importing when it comes to effort, steering and resale. Importing is the right choice when the vehicle has a special value (emotional or financial) or is barely available locally – but then please with a clear calculation of the registration tax and patience for the bureaucracy. Whichever route you take: sort out customs and tax questions in advance with the official bodies, take out insurance in good time, and keep your MOT and road tax up to date. This article is no substitute for legal or tax advice – for binding information, all roads lead to Cyprus Customs and the Department of Road Transport.