Cyprus drives on the left with the steering wheel on the right. Most used cars are imports from Japan and the UK. Transferring ownership needs no notary: form TOM 9 and €8.54 at the Road Transport Department.
Transferring ownership
- Form TOM 9, a state fee of €8.54, filed at an RTD office or a KEP centre.
- Both parties attend — seller and buyer with their documents — or one of them with a notarised power of attorney.
- You need: the registration certificate (logbook), valid insurance, paid road tax and a valid MOT.
- The change of owner must be notified within 30 days, otherwise it is an offence.
- A certificate that there is no outstanding manufacturer's recall is also required.
Importing a car
| From where | Duty and VAT |
|---|---|
| From the EU | no duty; 19% VAT only on a new car |
| From the UK | 10% duty (0% for cars of UK origin) + 19% VAT |
| From Japan | 10% duty + 19% VAT |
- Typical import and registration costs are €1,250–3,500, taking 2–4 weeks.
- The stages: customs at the port of Limassol or Larnaca, a technical inspection and individual approval, registration at the RTD, then plates.
- When moving permanently there is a relief: one car free of duty and VAT if you owned it for at least 6 months abroad. Customs clearance requires an EORI number.
- A visitor may temporarily import a car for up to 6 months without registering it, provided it is taken out again.