Fines and speed cameras in Cyprus: what drivers need to know
How fixed and mobile cameras work, what offences result in fines, how speeding offences are calculated, how to receive a notice and pay it via the official service.
Checked: 13 September 2026.
Basic rules and scope of this guide
In Cyprus, traffic drives on the left, and speed limits are set by road signs and the type of road. Drivers must hold a valid driving licence, have insurance and pay close attention to road markings. This article explains typical fines based on official sources verified on 13 September 2026, but does not replace the law or individual legal advice.
The amount depends on the nature of the offence, the extent of the violation, whether it is a repeat offence, and the court’s decision, if the case is not settled out of court. You must not apply a figure from a similar situation to your own notice. Check the offence code, date, penalty points, validity period and official payment method in the document you have received.
A safe rule is simpler than a table: obey road signs, come to a complete stop where required by a traffic signal or line, ensure all passengers are wearing seatbelts, and do not hold a mobile phone in your hand. A speed camera does not create a new rule — it simply records an obligation that is already in force.
What traffic cameras record
Fixed and mobile devices automatically record speed. At equipped junctions, the system also records driving through a red light and crossing a mandatory stop line. During image processing, the system may detect a lack of a seatbelt or helmet, or the use of a mobile phone or other object held in the hand.
A camera at a junction distinguishes between crossing the stop line and running a red light as separate offences. A government guidance note specifies a fine of €25 for crossing the stop line and €300 plus 3 penalty points for running a red light. If a driver has entered a junction on a green ‘go’ signal for a turn, simply completing the manoeuvre after the light has changed is not classified as a violation.
Do not try to guess the location of a camera or brake only before a known spot. Mobile enforcement units move around, and sudden manoeuvres create a risk of collision. Keep your speed consistently below the limit and pay attention to temporary roadworks signs, where the usual traffic pattern may be altered.
How speeding fines are calculated
The official table, in force since 1 October 2020, uses the percentage by which the speed limit is exceeded and a fixed amount for each kilometre per hour over the limit. Up to and including 30 per cent, the fine is €2 per kilometre; up to 50 per cent, €3; and up to 75 per cent, €5. Exceeding the limit by more than 75 per cent is referred to court, so this is no longer a standard fixed penalty.
The percentage is calculated relative to a specific limit. For example, the same number of excess kilometres on a city street and a motorway may fall into different categories. Do not calculate the fine whilst driving and do not treat this example as a permitted margin: the system’s measurements and the legal rules of the case apply.
Penalty points, as specified in the official table, may be added to the financial penalty. Accumulating points has consequences for your driving status and is not limited to the cost of the hire. If the notice includes a summons to court, simply clicking the ‘pay’ button will not convert it into an out-of-court fine.
Mobile phones, seat belts, alcohol and parking
The official guide specifies a fine of €150 for using a mobile device whilst holding it in your hand and for not wearing a seatbelt; a repeat offence of the same nature within three years results in the out-of-court fine being doubled. Set your sat-nav before setting off and pull over legally if you need to change your route or answer a call.
Breathalyser limits apply for alcohol, with stricter limits for novice and professional drivers. The table sets out fines and penalty points, whilst a high blood alcohol concentration will result in court proceedings. The safest option for any driver is to avoid drinking alcohol altogether; feeling sober is not a reliable indicator.
Dangerous or illegal parking can result not only in a fine but also in your vehicle being towed away. Do not occupy a disabled parking space without authorisation, and do not block the pavement, a driveway or the view at a junction. The road markings at a tourist attraction remain valid even if neighbouring vehicles are parked incorrectly.
If the car is hired
The camera first links the incident to the registered owner. The hire company may pass on the details of the actual driver and charge an administrative fee separately under the terms of the contract. This fee does not replace the government fine. Read the terms of hire and keep a copy of the contract, the return date and the list of authorised drivers.
If someone else was driving, do not ignore the enquiry and do not provide details at random. Follow the official identification procedure and the deadline stated in the notification. Providing incorrect information may create a separate issue, and a verbal agreement between the passengers does not alter the record of the registered owner.
Your obligations do not cease when you leave Cyprus. The renter’s contact details and payment card may be used under the terms of the contract to process any subsequent notifications. Please provide a current address and keep an eye on your messages, but check the domain and details carefully before clicking on any links or entering your card details.
Notification, verification and payment
Use only Gov.cy services and the channels specified by the police. The ‘Fines’ section leads to the official payment portal and available checks. A separate, older search form may only cover a specific historical period; the absence of a result there does not prove that there is no new fine.
The official guide states: fines over €100 must be paid within 30 days; after that, the amount increases by 50 per cent, and after 45 days, unpaid fines are subject to enforcement proceedings. Please refer to the deadline stated in your current notice, as the procedure or legislation may have been updated since the table was published.
Keep your receipt and case number. If you disagree, use the official contact details to review and seek clarification, rather than simply letting the deadline pass. The verification platform does not replace legal service of documents and does not in itself determine the start of the time limit; this point has been clarified separately by the government authorities.
How to avoid mistakes and fraudulent links
Do not make payments in response to random text messages, shortened web addresses or requests to transfer money to a private account. Go to Gov.cy yourself, find the fines section and check the reference number. The police and the car hire company have different roles, so a letter from the hire company may explain a charge, but government payments are checked separately.
Before setting off, set your speed limiter, secure your mobile phone and set up your sat-nav, and familiarise yourself with left-hand traffic and the rules for roundabouts. Allow plenty of time for your journey and do not follow the app’s instructions if they contradict a road sign. Speed cameras, police officers and temporary road markings may not correspond to an out-of-date map.
After an incident, note down the date, location and driver; do not publish the full notification containing personal details. In the event of an injury or accident, prioritise safety and call for help first, rather than arguing about the fine. For your next journey, double-check the official tables: fines and procedures are subject to changing legislation.
Continue planning
- Driving in Cyprus: rules and safety
- Exchanging a driving licence in Cyprus
- Cyprus news: road changes