Is Cyprus dangerous? A look at the security situation on the island

Hello dear reader of this blog post. Today I would like to shed light on the general security situation on the island of Cyprus. Is the island of Cyprus a safe holiday destination or not? That is the question!

The question also arises as to whether Northern Cyprus is a safe country to live in. I will share some background information and experiences with you.

We have already written a well-received book about Northern Cyprus, which, among other things, deals with the security situation on the island of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus in particular. Our book also deals with many other aspects, from holidays in Northern Cyprus, emigration, to politics and history. Many people have their say in the form of personal interviews, which will give you a deeper impression of Northern Cyprus from their personal point of view. Our book " Northcyprus Conversations " is in color and over 400 pages long.

History and domestic political situation in Cyprus

Perhaps a brief overview of Cyprus's past decades will help you better understand the country's current security. Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean and has been divided geographically and socially for decades. This did not begin with the division in 1974. The division and separation of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots began at the latest during the time of the British occupation. During this time, for example, the British occupiers divided the people of Cyprus by recruiting the minority of Turkish Cypriots exclusively for police service. Greek Orthodox Cypriots were prohibited from entering these offices during this time. This and many other methods of division ignited resentment among the Cypriot population. Reservations, resentment and mistrust continued to grow.

Only with the end of the colonial era, when the British crown withdrew and Cyprus was granted its long-awaited freedom as the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, was Cyprus able to develop again. However, the decades of injustice and separation games became increasingly visible and began to exert their divisive power in politics and society.

The separation into Greek and Turkish Cypriots had long since taken place and was also making its way inexorably in the joint Republic of Cyprus. This affected the people themselves, who for the most part lived "next door to door" and valued each other, to a much lesser extent. The separation between the people arose first and foremost in politics and the responsible elites.

Even if there was no need for further fuel to fuel the fire of these tendencies towards separation from the outside, this was found in the geopolitical expansionist desires of Greece and certainly also of Turkey. Their ideas about who Cyprus should ultimately be assigned to and integrated with were symbolically not only the fuel, but also the match in this conflict!

Separation was therefore only a matter of time. Due to massive pressure, particularly from Greece, a kind of genocide against the Turkish Cypriot population was carried out, following the example of Crete, which, as so often, received little international attention. The aim was annexation to the growing Greece. The pleading international cries for help from the oppressed Turkish Cypriot minority largely went unheard during the 1960s and early 1970s. The narrative of the Greek Cypriots was already too firmly established in the negotiating rooms of international embassies and the UN.

The situation became increasingly threatening for the minority and there were more and more attacks, threats and a lot of bloodshed. An increasingly escalating war between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, together with the Greeks from the mainland, was the logical and provoked result. It was not until the mid-1970s that Turkey alone heard the cries for help from its compatriots in the Mediterranean. They freed the Turkish Cypriots from this oppressive situation through military action and occupied about a third of the country, thus separating the two ethnic groups from each other to this day.

Since this invasion, there is now the Republic of Cyprus in the south, which governs about 60% of the island's land, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which claims and administers about 33% of the land. I say this because this claim has been confirmed and recognized exclusively by Turkey since 1974. For the Republic of Cyprus, however, it remains their country and their island, which unfortunately cannot currently be governed by them.

The remaining parts of the island of Cyprus are administered independently by the UN as a buffer zone ("green line", for example, which runs right through the common capital of Nicosia) between north and south. On top of that, around 6% of the country is still in British hands. The island is probably too important geopolitically in the "Middle East" to be given up entirely. This means that 3 military bases remain from the colonial era.

Demands of the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Northern Cyprus

After all these decades of division, the Republic of Cyprus still has no choice but to return the territories to the occupying power of Turkey. Recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has never been an option for the Republic of Cyprus since 1974. Even with the best will in the world of a Greek Cypriot politician, recognition would be unthinkable. Just a public discussion about it would mean immediate political ruin for this politician. It is, so to speak, an impossibility for the Republic of Cyprus.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has also made a decision. A union without the documented rights of self-government and without equal recognition is never an option for the government of Northern Cyprus, as Dr. Kücück, Rauf Denktas and today Ersin Tatar have repeatedly confirmed. The current President, Mr. Ersin Tatar, confirmed this again very clearly in our interview.

So today, as for the last almost 50 years, we are at the point where both countries live on one island and have a lot in common, but to this day they have not been able to find their way back to each other.

Nevertheless, the situation today can be classified as safe!

Cyprus’ security situation since joining the EU in 2004

The domestic political situation has been much more relaxed and very safe, especially since the Republic of Cyprus joined the EU. At least on the social and public surface, these two countries now live side by side more peacefully.

When Cyprus joined the EU in May 2004, a tense tug-of-war between the EU, Greece and Turkey over Cyprus ended. Even if not everyone involved is happy that only the Republic of Cyprus became part of the EU, after all the struggle, the fronts were clear.

The opportunity to reach an agreement with the north was once again missed. Northern Cyprus, like Turkey, did not become part of the EU. Fortunately, this opened up new options that had not such bad consequences for both parts of the island. The Republic of Cyprus was able to develop economically thanks to the support of the EU. Northern Cyprus, on the other hand, was now able to enter into a kind of small economic union with Turkey. The times of total isolation and absolute economic embargo were over.

At the same time, Northern Cyprus opened its borders to the south on its own initiative. Since then, the "small-scale border traffic" has also opened up many new opportunities for cultural, family and economic exchange. Who knows where Cyprus would be today if this process in connection with the EU had never taken place. Today, crossing the border from south to north and vice versa is very easy and traveling to the area of Northern Cyprus is absolutely safe. It is absolutely not dangerous to go on holiday in Cyprus.

Border traffic runs smoothly through many checkpoints and of course without harassment. More and more goods are now reaching the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus via the small border traffic with the south (Green Line), but of course also mainly via Turkey as a strong ally. Likewise, more and more investments are being made in the north of the island of Cyprus. The everyday life and growth of both countries has long since overshadowed and partly overcome the disputes and war of the former separation policy. As a result, you hardly find any travel advice that it is dangerous to go on holiday in Cyprus.

Security on the island of Cyprus can also be rated as very good. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in particular is considered to be an absolutely safe country with extremely low crime rates. In contrast to Dubai, this low crime rate is not due to the high digital security precautions, but to the mentality of the Turkish Cypriots. In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, it is due to the country's past, mentality and culture. Theft, drugs and social tensions are virtually non-existent, making it very safe to stay. The traders in the streets are not pushy at all. They are more reserved and cautious.

Women can move around freely and are not harassed on the street or at sea. Every European holidaymaker immediately notices this when they stroll for the first time, for example, along the beautiful, newly rebuilt historic harbor in Girne. A trip to the holiday island of Cyprus and especially to Northern Cyprus is therefore not dangerous (Cyprus vacation)!

A look at the current political situation on the island

Politically, little has happened in recent years. The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, who was elected in 2023, and his counterpart in Northern Cyprus maintain an exchange, but there has been no movement on the main topic of "unification" for years.

It now seems to me that all parties have come to terms with the status quo.

The south is waiting and has no political or international counter-pressure to fear. There is no reason to deviate from the original demands, as the Republic of Cyprus is accepted on the international stage, especially in the Western world.

The north is also not moving because it rightly insists on its independence and integrity. The years of genocide and hardship were too painful. The Ottoman population in Cyprus should never suffer a fate like that of Crete. The north is backed by Turkey's still strong military presence. No change in attitude is therefore to be expected from this side. Nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, all holiday destinations in the North Cyprus region are characterized by the highest level of security.

The almost naively innocent official attitude of the English officials is always interesting. As a colonial power, they were largely to blame for this division. However, they themselves see their current trade in Cyprus, according to the official interpretation, as a help and a bringer of peace. Eltan Halil, for example, is of the opinion that without the current English presence, there would be no peace on the island. TO THE ARTICLE! I think it is exactly the other way round. If the English crown were to leave the three military bases and return the land, the chance of lasting peace could increase significantly. But that is not yet apparent in the short term.

Security in Cyprus despite war between Israel and Palestine. Is Cyprus dangerous in war?

Since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Cyprus has repeatedly appeared in the media. Why?

This conflict between Israel and Palestine has intensified significantly again in October 2023. According to press releases, the Palestinian Hamas fired rockets at Israel in October. According to the relevant media, around 1,500 people died in Israel in this context. This escalated the Middle East conflict, which had been simmering for decades and which has been reignited at regular intervals since the founding of the State of Israel.

Since this rocket fire, Israel's government has decided to wage another war against its Palestinian neighbors. Since this decision, a lot of people, especially Palestinians, have been killed. The need is great.

For military and humanitarian aid, a kind of hub is needed from which supplies can be sent to the Middle East. As was the case during the Crusades from Europe to Jerusalem in the 11th to 13th centuries, Cyprus has been found as a suitable place to recharge, linger and gather. England, with its current three military bases, still has sufficient resources in this region at the gates of the Middle East, even after the times of the great empire.

Due to Cyprus' outstanding geographical location, which has been known for thousands of years, ships and relief goods are again sent from here today. These start from the south of the island, i.e. from the Republic of Cyprus, where the three British bases are also located.

More about the geopolitical background in our book " Northcyprus Conversations ".

Especially since March 2024, there has been increased humanitarian support from Cyprus to Palestine. However, since there is no infrastructure there for large ships and fleets to dock, the aid supplies were shipped east on pontoons, towed by suitable ships. These floating platforms could not be shipped across the Mediterranean from Greece, for example, but only very slowly, over short distances. These ships need several days to travel the approximately 150 km. This is only possible when the sea is absolutely calm.

Therefore, Cyprus is important in the context of the conflict between Israel and Palestine for many reasons. On the island itself, life continues to be peaceful and quiet. Especially in Northern Cyprus, people don't hear anything about the war between Israel and Palestine. There are no disturbances in Northern Cyprus and no bad or even anxious atmosphere. Despite the conflict between Israel and Palestine, holidays and flights in Cyprus and Northern Cyprus are, as always, very safe.

Security in Cyprus despite war between Israel and Iran

There has been another conflict in the Middle East since April 2024. According to media reports, Iran has attacked Israel. This was probably a response to the killing of high-ranking military officials in Damascus. Here too, the situation between these two countries is getting worse and Israel's response to Iran is still not entirely clear.

Many people around the world are now worried and afraid about how the Middle East will develop in the foreseeable future. The conflicts between Israel and its Arab neighbors generally seem to be getting worse. From a geopolitical perspective, one can speak of regulatory changes in the medium term that are necessary, helpful and long overdue. However, on a human level, it is a tragedy with great suffering and horror for the populations of all affected countries. May these conflicts find their solution soon, because no one can be seriously interested in an escalation in the Middle East between Israel and the Western world against the Arab world, including its supporters. Based on the Ukraine conflict, one can roughly estimate how long such a war could drag on and what the result would be.

But this conflict between Iran and Israel also has no influence on Cyprus. Cyprus is safe for the population and holidaymakers. Cyprus is only particularly important as a British base for humanitarian aid.

To this day, vacationing and living in Cyprus and Northern Cyprus is very safe and unaffected by these wars between Israel and Palestine and Israel and Iran. If anything changes here, we will keep you updated on this website.

More about the geopolitical background in our book " Northcyprus Conversations ".

Health notices and natural disasters

My health advice for Cyprus is very simple. The health care on the island is very good. I was particularly surprised by the very good state of the health care system in Northern Cyprus. There are public polyclinics, modern university clinics and English hospitals. In addition to normal medical care, there is even an emerging medical tourism sector. Many visitors to Northern Cyprus now state "medical reasons" as their destination when entering the country.

There is no need to take any special precautions for Cyprus, just as there is no need to take any special precautions for a trip to Mallorca, for example. However, if you are unsure, you should always check the travel information provided by the Foreign Office and the relevant embassy before travelling to Cyprus.

The risk of natural disasters in Cyprus is very low. There are hardly any tsunami waves or earthquakes here. Only forest fires in the summer are possible to a limited extent but are unlikely. The government in Northern Cyprus has also taken very strong precautions to improve safety here.

In my opinion, Cyprus is safe in terms of medical care and the risk of natural disasters.

Customs regulations and entry requirements

What are the customs regulations in Cyprus? The Republic of Cyprus is located within the EU. Therefore, the same customs regulations apply here as everywhere else in the EU. Basically, the movement of goods is free as long as it is not commercial.

In Northern Cyprus, imports of 10,000 euros or more must be declared.

Goods from the Republic of Cyprus can be brought to Northern Cyprus. However, these must be declared through customs if they exceed a certain value. The amount of this amount must be inquired about in advance.

You can enter Northern Cyprus by ferry, by car from the south or by plane. You can enter with your ID card or passport. The maximum length of stay is 30 days. If you are staying longer, you should leave and re-enter on time or apply to the police for an extension. There are heavy fines if you exceed this date. So to be on the safe side, I recommend leaving the country on time and re-entering on the same day if possible.

How safe are the beaches and the sea?

As in the rest of the country, the beaches are very safe. There is hardly any theft or other crime. Cyprus is a safe travel destination and you can plan and book your holiday to Northern Cyprus without any worries. This also applies to families with children.

The sea is also safe. There are no dangerous currents, animals or anything else. Northern Cyprus has very clear and clean water and is one of the countries with the best water quality in the entire Mediterranean. This is because there is very little industry in Northern Cyprus, but instead there are many nature reserves. This benefits both the many animal species, such as turtles, and us holidaymakers.

How safe is it to travel in Cyprus?

Traveling in Cyprus is also very safe. This applies to taking a taxi or even driving your own car or a rental car. There is no train or tram in Northern Cyprus. You can only use public buses.

The roads are of course not as safe as in Germany. There are often no crash barriers and no proper road markings. Everything is just a little less developed than in Germany. However, you are generally not allowed to drive as fast here.

The usual speeds are 50 km/h or 65 km/h. I would recommend this for two reasons: Firstly, there are heavy fines for speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol. But I also recommend it for safety reasons. If you drive too fast and are not careful enough, the risk of an accident is increased. The typical Cypriot is just as unprepared for "speeders" as he is for the many hitchhikers and pedestrians on the side of the road. That's why a Mediterranean driving style is the best choice in Cyprus.

Then a trip by car in Northern Cyprus is safe.

Are Germans welcome in Cyprus?

It is generally said that foreigners, including Germans, are very welcome in Cyprus. My own experience goes back to 2018. I cannot remember a case in which the opposite was reflected to me. I feel very welcome and safe in Northern Cyprus. When you travel to a foreign country, you should also be open to the foreign culture. I have always been that way and I try to maintain it. In all the conversations I have always been shown respect, joy and openness. As a German, I feel very safe in Northern Cyprus.

I am sure that you will also rate Northern Cyprus as safe. Not only because it has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Whether inland or at the border, the "green line", I feel very safe. The political situation has been so stable for years that I have never felt any danger in Northern Cyprus. For me, Northern Cyprus is a very safe country on a safe island.

I think that with these tips you can plan your vacation with a good feeling. This applies to trips for seniors as well as trips with the family and children. For more information, please read our book "Northcyprus Conversations" so that you can find out more about Northern Cyprus.

Best regards

Samira Sinjab