Road tax or circulation license in Cyprus is a government duty collected annually for the participation of motor vehicles in road traffic.
The funds collected in this way are used to improve and upgrade the country's road infrastructure.
Who needs to pay road tax in Cyprus
Absolutely everyone who uses a car pays this tax annually, whether it's an individual or a legal entity. There are practically no social exceptions, discounts, or privileges, especially for foreigners. Even electric cars are subject to road tax in Cyprus.
However, the rules may change from year to year, depending on the overall traffic situation. For example, during the pandemic in Cyprus, there was consideration of the possibility of halving the tax because people were driving less and becoming more economical. On the other hand, the tax amount serves as a sort of threshold to protect the environment from pollution and cities from excessive traffic and congestion.
Who doesn't need to pay road tax
If a driver doesn't plan to use the car during the next year, they don't need to pay the tax. For example, if a driver goes away for an extended period and the car remains stationary. However, this should be communicated in advance to the Department of Transport, and a special form TOM12B (Application for Motor Vehicle Immobilization) should be filled out, a sample of which can be downloaded from the organization's website online.
At the same time, if a driver gets behind the wheel of their car even once, the tax must be paid in full for the entire year.
If a car is undergoing disposal, in a prolonged repair process, or no longer in use, the Department of Transport should also be notified at the beginning of the year. If the car is scrapped, you need to bring the Department the corresponding document – Certificate of Destruction (issued by landfill administrations), as well as a completed form TOM 98A.
Amount of road tax
The amount of road tax depends on the age, weight, and type of the vehicle. The larger the engine capacity of the car and the more emissions it produces, the higher the tax. On average, the amount ranges from 60 to 120 euros per year. It can be paid in installments (the minimum period is three months, but several quarters can be paid) or as a one-time payment for all 12 months of the year.
As mentioned above, regardless of how much time during the year a driver uses their car, the full annual amount is payable, no differently. In other words, if a person goes abroad for four months and then returns to the island of Aphrodite, they will be required to pay the full annual tax, either in installments or in a lump sum.
Where and how to pay Road Tax in Cyprus
The tax can be paid:
- Online from anywhere in the world on the JCCsmart portal in the Road Tax Renewals section, as 75% of the Cypriot population does.
- Everyone is also waiting for the restoration of online payment on the Road Department website (to access online applications, you need to register on the Department's website and obtain the necessary password).
- At a bank branch.
- At regional citizen service centers (KEP).
- At district offices of the road transport department.
- At the main post offices of Cypriot cities.
To pay the tax, you will need the vehicle registration certificate, current car insurance, and a certificate that the car has passed the MOT test. Without a valid MOT, even previously paid Road Tax is considered invalid, which may result in a double fine for the driver.
As practice shows, it's better not to delay the payment of road tax, as closer to the final date, queues often form at banks and citizen service centers (KEP), and online payment systems sometimes start malfunctioning. According to Department statistics, about a third of Cyprus car owners pay the tax at the beginning of the year, while the rest delay it until February-March.
Failure to pay road tax in Cyprus can result in serious consequences.
Failure to pay road tax in Cyprus can lead to serious consequences. Those who evade paying road tax for three years may face legal proceedings, during which the state will still recover the overdue debt. Furthermore, the driver will have to spend time and go through the vehicle registration procedure again if they still intend to use it. Therefore, it's essential to notify the Department of Transport in advance about any possible delays.
If a driver, for valid reasons, couldn't inform the Department for an extended period that the vehicle is not in use, they will need to provide relevant evidence and promptly address the specific situation with the office staff.
Here is a full list of Department of Transport offices in Cyprus:
- Nicosia Office: 27 Vasileos Pavlou, 2412 Nicosia, phone: 22815749.
- Limassol Office: Koroivou, Polemidia, 3112 Limassol, phone: 25870515.
- Paphos Office: Mesogi Industrial Area, 8061 Mesogi, Paphos, phone: 26821356.
- Larnaca Office: Acropoleos Avenue 13, Aradippou Industrial Area, 7101 Aradippou, Larnaca, phone: 24813228.
- Deryneia Office: 24 Albert Einstein, Deryneia Industrial Area, 5380 Deryneia, Ammochostos, phone: 23815170.
By the way, in 2023, the renewal of road licenses began on January 4th. The Department of Road Transport stated that the tax for 2023 must be paid by March 11th. After this date, the road police may impose a fine of 10 euros plus 10% of the annual tax amount, and the driver will still have to pay the tax itself.
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Photos: DOM
