How to get to the southern part of Cyprus from Northern Cyprus

Practical guide for crossing the “Green Line” from Northern Cyprus to the Republic of Cyprus (southern part) in 2026.

As of January 2026, crossing from Northern Cyprus to the Republic of Cyprus (southern part) is only possible with a document granting entry to the south: an EU citizen passport/ID (as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), a valid residence permit/long-term residence of EU/Schengen countries, a valid double or multiple-entry Schengen visa (category C), or a national visa of Bulgaria, Croatia, or Romania. For Ukrainian citizens, a biometric passport allows visa-free entry for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

If you want to enter the Republic of Cyprus (southern part) from Northern Cyprus (TRNC), even if you arrived on the island via Ercan Airport or by sea, you must comply with the visa requirements applicable in the southern part of the island.

• Which documents grant the right to cross the border
• Important to know
• Glossary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• If you need advice on visa status and border crossing

Crossing the border is only possible if you have specific visa grounds.

Border crossing conditions

Checks are conducted according to the entry rules of the Republic of Cyprus (southern part): at the checkpoint, your entry document (passport/ID, visa, residence permit/long-term residence) is evaluated and, if necessary, additional confirmations (purpose of travel, booking, return ticket, finances, insurance) are requested.

Which documents grant the right to cross the border

EU citizen passports

Citizens of EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, usually cross the border with a passport or national ID card with a photo.

Residence permit or long-term residence of an EU / Schengen country

Valid residence cards and long-term residence statuses issued by EU and Schengen states are acceptable.

Cypriot national visa (Republic of Cyprus, southern part)

If you hold a national visa of the Republic of Cyprus (southern part), it can be used for entry and stay within the visa’s period and conditions.

Valid double or multiple-entry Schengen visa (category C)

If you have a valid Schengen visa for 2 or more entries, you may cross the border and stay in the Republic of Cyprus (southern part) under the 90 days in 180-day rule and other entry conditions.

National visas of Bulgaria, Croatia, or Romania

Valid national visas of these countries may also be accepted as grounds for entry to the Republic of Cyprus (southern part) for short-term stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period).

Ukrainian biometric passport

Holders of a Ukrainian biometric passport may enter the Republic of Cyprus (southern part) visa-free for short-term stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) under general entry conditions.

Important to know

• The arrival point in Northern Cyprus (Ercan Airport, Famagusta/Kyrenia seaports) does not itself constitute a visa ground for entry into the Republic of Cyprus (southern part): the decision at the checkpoint is based on your entry document.
• If you do not have a Republic of Cyprus (southern part) visa, do not have a suitable Schengen visa (double/multiple-entry), and do not have an EU/Schengen residence permit/long-term residence, crossing the border will generally not be possible.
• A single-entry Schengen visa does not equal grounds for entry to the southern part of the island: a double or multiple-entry Schengen visa is usually required for simplified procedures.
• Absence of a stamp in the passport (if the entry to Northern Cyprus was marked on a separate form) does not provide an advantage: what matters is the current visa status and entry conditions for the southern part.
• The border officer may request confirmation of the purpose of travel (accommodation booking, return ticket, funds, insurance). If conditions are not met, entry may be refused.

How to do it

1. Check that your document is suitable: EU passport/ID, EU/Schengen residence permit/long-term residence, Cypriot national visa, Schengen visa for 2+ entries, or national visa of Bulgaria/Croatia/Romania.
2. Check validity periods: visa/residence card validity, 90 days in 180-day rule (if applicable), passport validity.
3. Prepare confirmations in case requested: accommodation booking, return ticket, funds, insurance.
4. Choose a crossing point on the “Green Line” and pass control with the documents that confirm your right to enter the Republic of Cyprus (southern part).

Glossary

• “Green Line” — the demarcation line and movement control regime between Northern and Southern Cyprus.
• Residence permit / long-term residence (EU) — residence or long-term stay issued in an EU country; confirmed by a residence card.
• Schengen visa (category C) — short-term visa for travel to Schengen countries, usually with a maximum stay of 90 days in a 180-day period.
• National visa — a visa issued by a specific country according to its national rules (e.g., Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, or Republic of Cyprus (southern part)).
• 90/180 rule — short-term stay limitation: no more than 90 days total in any 180-day period (when applied to your entry grounds).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cross to the southern part of the island with a single-entry Schengen visa?

Usually no: the simplified regime requires a valid double or multiple-entry Schengen visa category C.

Can I cross the border if I arrived in Northern Cyprus via Ercan Airport?

The fact of arriving via Ercan does not constitute a visa ground. The checkpoint checks the documents that grant entry to the Republic of Cyprus (southern part).

Do I need a separate Cypriot visa if I have a valid EU residence permit?

Generally no: a valid residence card of an EU/Schengen country may be sufficient for short-term entry to the southern part of the island.

Is an Irish national visa valid for crossing the “Green Line”?

No. Equivalent documents are usually national visas of Bulgaria, Croatia, or Romania (not Ireland).

Can I enter the southern part of the island with a CIS country passport without visas and without an EU residence permit?

Generally no. One of the following is required: Cypriot national visa, suitable Schengen visa (2+ entries), national visa of Bulgaria/Croatia/Romania, or valid EU/Schengen residence permit/long-term residence.

What do they check at the checkpoint besides visa/card?

They may request the purpose of travel and supporting documents: accommodation booking, return ticket, sufficient funds for the trip, and medical insurance.

Does a Ukrainian biometric passport definitely grant entry to the southern part?

Yes, for short-term travel a visa-free regime applies under the 90 days in 180-day rule and general entry conditions.

If I do not have a stamp for entry into Northern Cyprus, does it help me go south?

No. The absence of a stamp does not replace visa grounds. The decision is made based on the valid entry documents to the Republic of Cyprus (southern part).

If you need advice on visa status and border crossing

You can contact our legal partner — the company DeJure for a consultation with a licensed lawyer in Northern Cyprus.

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