It is not obligatory to be a resident of Cyprus to purchase a car in Cyprus. Non-residents may buy a car in Cyprus. Buying a New Car A buyer must provide proof of insurance coverage and road tax payment before taking possession of any car bought from a dealer. Buying or Selling a Used Car in Cyprus Second-hand cars in Cyprus are expensive, due to historically high customs/import duty. Duty-free vehicles Permanent residents of Cyprus who are not Cypriots and are not employed (or planning to work) are entitled to purchase one duty-free car (this does not apply to motorcycles or twin cabs). VAT is still payable. Application for this duty-free scheme requires extensive documentation and proof of sufficient financial resources (although there is no specific amount the Cyprus government is looking for). Approval takes approximately six weeks. Selling a car brought into Cyprus with an excise duty and VAT waiver When selling a vehicle in Cyprus that was imported with an excise duty and VAT waiver, the seller (or buyer must pay duty and VAT on the value of the vehicle if it is sold within 10 years of import. The duty and VAT are calculated on the value of the vehicle when it was imported, minus yearly depreciation. This could make selling the vehicle at a good price difficult.Changing Ownership of a Vehicle After Purchase In order to change the ownership of a vehicle, Form TOM 9 (available in Greek only) must be completed and submitted to the Department of Road Transport (DoRT) in Nicosia. Both seller and buyer must sign the document.Identification (passport or Cypriot Residency Card) for both buyer and seller DoRT (MOT) test certificate Proof of insurance coverage, provided by the seller Once the application and supporting documents are accepted by the Department of Road Transport, the buyer must return to the office (approximately one week later) to retrieve the new registration document. Changing an address on vehicle registration documents Changes of address can be completed online or at any local DoRT office, unless the change must be recorded on the registration document, which can only be done at the DoRT offices in Nicosia. The vehicle registration document and proof of the new address are required.To update an address online: Click hereRoad Tax
An annual circulation tax (road tax) is payable for vehicles in Cyprus. This is calculated based on engine capacity and charged per calendar year (1 January to 31 December). Once the tax is paid, a tax disc is placed in the vehicle window and replaced with every renewal.The following are required to obtain a road tax disc:A valid Department of Road Transport Vehicle Test CertificatAuto insuranceThe registration document (log book)the initial road tax payment on a newly purchased vehicle is paid at a DoRT office or Citizen's Service Centre (CSC), the road tax can be paid online and a task disk with bar code can be printed on a home printer and placed in the vehicle.
To pay road tax online at the Ministry of Communication and Works, Road Transport Department website: Click hereTo find the nearest Citizen's Service Centre, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Cyprus Administration
It is not obligatory to be a resident of Cyprus to purchase a car in Cyprus. Non-residents may buy a car in Cyprus.
Buying a New Car A buyer must provide proof of insurance coverage and road tax payment before taking possession of any car bought from a dealer.
Buying or Selling a Used Car in Cyprus Second-hand cars in Cyprus are expensive, due to historically high customs/import duty. Duty-free vehicles Permanent residents of Cyprus who are not Cypriots and are not employed (or planning to work) are entitled to purchase one duty-free car (this does not apply to motorcycles or twin cabs). VAT is still payable. Application for this duty-free scheme requires extensive documentation and proof of sufficient financial resources (although there is no specific amount the Cyprus government is looking for). Approval takes approximately six weeks.
Selling a car brought into Cyprus with an excise duty and VAT waiver When selling a vehicle in Cyprus that was imported with an excise duty and VAT waiver, the seller (or buyer must pay duty and VAT on the value of the vehicle if it is sold within 10 years of import. The duty and VAT are calculated on the value of the vehicle when it was imported, minus yearly depreciation. This could make selling the vehicle at a good price difficult.
Changing Ownership of a Vehicle After Purchase
In order to change the ownership of a vehicle, Form TOM 9 (available in Greek only) must be completed and submitted to the Department of Road Transport (DoRT) in Nicosia. Both seller and buyer must sign the document. Identification (passport or Cypriot Residency Card) for both buyer and seller DoRT (MOT) test certificate Proof of insurance coverage, provided by the seller Once the application and supporting documents are accepted by the Department of Road Transport, the buyer must return to the office (approximately one week later) to retrieve the new registration document. Changing an address on vehicle registration documents Changes of address can be completed online or at any local DoRT office, unless the change must be recorded on the registration document, which can only be done at the DoRT offices in Nicosia. The vehicle registration document and proof of the new address are required.
Road Tax
An annual circulation tax (road tax) is payable for vehicles in Cyprus. This is calculated based on engine capacity and charged per calendar year (1 January to 31 December). Once the tax is paid, a tax disc is placed in the vehicle window and replaced with every renewal.The following are required to obtain a road tax disc:A valid Department of Road Transport Vehicle Test CertificatAuto insuranceThe registration document (log book)the initial road tax payment on a newly purchased vehicle is paid at a DoRT office or Citizen's Service Centre (CSC), the road tax can be paid online and a task disk with bar code can be printed on a home printer and placed in the vehicle.
To pay road tax online at the Ministry of Communication and Works, Road Transport Department website: Click hereTo find the nearest Citizen's Service Centre, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Cyprus Administration
An annual circulation tax (road tax) is payable for vehicles in Cyprus. This is calculated based on engine capacity and charged per calendar year (1 January to 31 December). Once the tax is paid, a tax disc is placed in the vehicle window and replaced with every renewal. The following are required to obtain a road tax disc:
A valid Department of Road Transport Vehicle Test Certificate
Car insurance
The registration document (log book)
The initial road tax payment on a newly purchased vehicle is paid at a DoRT office or Citizen's Service Centre (CSC), the road tax can be paid online and a task disk with bar code can be printed on a home printer and placed in the vehicle.
Insuring Your Car
Under EU law all vehicles driving in member states must have at least third party liability insurance. It is obligatory for a vehicle owner to take out insurance against personal injury and material damage caused by their vehicle. This guarantee covers all the passengers in the vehicle including members of family. All European countries (and some others) are signatories to the Green Card System (International Motor Insurance Certificate). The Green Card or the insurance certificate issued by the insurer constitute a proof of third party insurance. An insurance policy may optionally be extended to include insurance against fire, theft, special assistance and more.
There are two basic types of policy available; third party and comprehensive.
Third party covers the liability of the driver to passengers and other people affected by an incident. Third party insurance is the minimum obligatory cover under Cypriot law to ensure that compensation can be paid to victims of an accident.
Comprehensive insurance (more expensive than third party) also covers the driver's damages and compensation whether they are responsible or not.
Car Accidents
In the event of an accident with another vehicle take the other driver's details at the scene, name, address and insurance details as well as the make, model and colour of the vehicle If in doubt as to the circumstances do not move the vehicles and call the police. If there are injuries call for medical assistance. Contact the insurance company as soon as possible as they will be able to assist with potential costs and claims.