Cyprus hotels seek another two-year lifeline on fire safety licences
MPs from Disy, Diko and Elam have tabled a bill pushing the fire safety deadline for hotels to February 2029, warning that closures could cost thousands of jobs.
Hotels and other tourist accommodation that still lack full operating licences could get an extra two years to sort out their fire safety paperwork, under a proposal tabled in Parliament on October 22. The amendment, backed by Disy MP Nikos Georgiou, Elam MP Linos Papayiannis and Diko MP Chrysis Pantelides, would shift the current deadline from February 28, 2027 to the same date in 2029, as reported by Politis.
Qualifying businesses would also be able to keep trading until December 31, 2030 while they work towards full licences from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. To benefit, an establishment must already hold a building permit for hotel or tourist accommodation use, and operators would need an operating confirmation from the ministry by December 31, 2028.
The relief would not cover health and safety: fire protection, hygiene, pools, electrical and gas installations, lifts and workplace safety would all still require the relevant documents, with the Fire Service continuing its inspections. Businesses that miss the new fire safety deadline would lose their temporary approval.
What it means for residents
The extension would keep hotels open through the coming seasons, which matters for anyone whose income depends on tourism, but it also means safety gaps in some properties may persist for years.
- Jobs and local business. Widespread closures would hit employment and the shops, restaurants and suppliers that rely on hotel guests.
- Safety standards. Guests and staff should be aware that not every establishment operating today holds a full licence or completed fire checks.
- Watch the vote. The previous extension passed only six months ago with 25 votes in favour, so the outcome in Parliament is not guaranteed.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
