Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

We're looking to book flights from UK 21st - 29th February. I know there's lots of info here and there, but does anyone know for definite if we'll be able to cross the Green Line to the North and back to come out and return via Larnaca, as we'll still be in transition period after 31st January. Or, given that we don't go south when we stay anyway, would it be best to start using Ercan again and lump the extra cost and travelling time?

Also reading the links in the "New Laws for 2020 in UK" thread, does anyone know if our UK / EU driving licenses will still be valid in the north? Again we'll be in transition period, but the north isn't in EU anyway so could i guess nothing will change in that respect?

You ask the questions that everyone wants answers to, Happy New Year - lol. If you have not seen this: https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/27/ban- ... n-updated/ consider it as the only information I have seen on the matter so far - and I do search for new information all the time! As for the driving license issue, you may be aware that the TRNC is bringing out a new EU style license - hopefully this year (2020) so that may have an effect. However, the TRNC has always accepted the UK driving license here as valid for periods up to 90 days and I doubt that will ever change!

Please note on the information above - "Cyprus must inform the European Commission of the proposed changes, which will be put into place if no objection is raised within one month." - that was dated as 27th November and one month has now passed since then. Maybe the EU got off its bed and replied with a NO or maybe not, I have not been able to find the answer to that yet either.

For me, if I was in your position, I would not even try to fly via Larnaca from the 31st of January onwards, regardless of what Boris and the EU says, the RoC tend to make their own laws up to cause maximum disruption to anyone in the North! However, it is your choice as always and I may be being just a little paranoid - lol.

Many thanks waddo. it seems to make sense at the moment to fly direct to Ercan so i think that's the way we'll go at for the foreseeable. Prices this morning were certainly not the most expensive I've paid even to Larnaca but we're well out of season at the moment anyway so it's not too bad. Happy new year to you too arkadasim.

Interesting Waddo. As usual lack of official information i wonder how one proves you are not staying in Greek owned property as they think they own the whole island anyway. When you factor in the journey time from Larnaca and the cost of a taxi there is not a lot of difference low season anyway.

Deniz1, the link I posted was one of many available links, including RoC Government links however, I chose that one as it explained what the RoC is attempting most simply. Agreed with the difference in flight costs plus taxis etc between Larnaca and Ercan it is not great. The big difference is that Ercan will not put you back on the next flight back again if you can not prove where you live in the North or if you are living in Greek property or in property built on Greek land! Never forget that the RoC maintain up to date records/registers of all the lands and property’s they consider to be Greek owned, along with all the support staff that are still paid to continue the work they did in each area pre 74! To me, it is to big a gamble to take by flying in via the South, but it’s personal choice of course.

When you take into account the number of UK airports that have direct flights to Larnaca and no long lay overs at mainly one of the Istanbul airports, the taxi journey from Larnaca to the North pales into insignificance. Take into account also the taxi journey in the UK to an airport that actually serves Istanbul/Ercan and the journey could run into many hours more.

MnM wrote:We're looking to book flights from UK 21st - 29th February. I know there's lots of info here and there, but does anyone know for definite if we'll be able to cross the Green Line to the North and back to come out and return via Larnaca, as we'll still be in transition period after 31st January. Or, given that we don't go south when we stay anyway, would it be best to start using Ercan again and lump the extra cost and travelling time?

Also reading the links in the "New Laws for 2020 in UK" thread, does anyone know if our UK / EU driving licenses will still be valid in the north? Again we'll be in transition period, but the north isn't in EU anyway so could i guess nothing will change in that respect?

I am booked on London to Larnaca flights right through to November and will encounter zero problems going about my normal business of travelling to Girne.

Once the terms of post brexit travel are agreed by the UK govt I will adjust accordingly.

Using Larnaca for spring and autumn this year. In effect nothing will change in the 2020 transition phase.

frugal90 wrote:Using Larnaca for spring and autumn this year. In effect nothing will change in the 2020 transition phase.

Theoretically, but interpretation is everything so interesting days ahead.

Hedgefund - can I ask if you don’t mind why you think there will be no problems with you taking your flights from Laranca.

What passport will you be using?

We have flights booked February and August and we are not sure what to do ...

Many thanks

Of course we would hope that nothing would change during the transition phase thro 2020 post leaving the EU at the end of January.

However; many of us are well aware that the ROC could well decide to make things difficult or at least cause enough concern to make many think twice about using Larnaca or Paphos as entry points before travelling north.

Our return to North Cyprus in a few months time will be via Izmir, (EasyJet....Gatwick - Izmir) simply because we are looking to explore a little of Turkey before the last hop across to Ercan. We normally book flights well ahead throughout the year but for now we think it’s best to hold off a few months.

I am sure we will quickly hear about any issues or problems that are being encountered and will book further travel accordingly.

ljarvo wrote:Hedgefund - can I ask if you don’t mind why you think there will be no problems with you taking your flights from Laranca.

What passport will you be using?

We have flights booked February and August and we are not sure what to do ...

Many thanks

During the negotiations throughout 2020 there will be no changes to movement around the eu.

When the future relationship is agreed we can plan for it.

In the meantime it's just drivel filling an invented void.

I am travelling LON - LCA then driving to Girne later this month so will report back to put your mind at rest if you wish.

Hedge-Fund, Can see no problem with your travel plans inbound, however, what about post 31st January (if you are staying that long) we are then no longer EU citizens and other factors will come into play? Keep us in the picture and best of luck.

Thank you Hedge fund for the information - look forward to the update after you have travelled.

If you are asked on arrival at Larnanca border control where you are staying after the 31st January - how will you answer?

Many thanks

We have booked flights for February and haven't thought anything would happen to stop our journey to the North. At the border many cars from the South come North to get their petrol as it is much cheaper. I cannot therefore see changes on people crossing the border as they will not want to stop their own people travelling to the North.

Sorry I should have been clearer - I mean when at the passport desk at Larnaca airport on arrival you may be questioned.

They have refused entry as we know to Israelis and other nationalities if they think they are coming to stay in the North

I do understand there is a transition period however they may give you 90 days at Larnaca ....

Let’s see....

They wont Msg 15 while it suits them, its only non EU people it will affect.Cant see the TRNCstopping ROC people crossing they spend money.

Having been hit with the whammies of TRNC residency visas to visit for over 30 days (the whole awful, complicated process puts us off applying for annual residency) and the very likely non EU citizen after Brexit prohibition of being able to use Larnaca airport (with the thought of flying into Ercan via Istanbul - the additional longer time it will take, the inevitable higher cost & the experience of Istanbul airport) has us looking to attempt to sell up and cease our long holidays in the TRNC after so many years. Very sad.

Just booked flights 11/9 until 22/10 with Pegasus from Manchester cost £585 for both of us including luggage, seats, sandwiches etc. Cost on same dates Jet2 Newcastle to Larnaca £958. Not always cheaper via Larnaca-and saves money on taxi fares.

waddo wrote:Hedge-Fund, Can see no problem with your travel plans inbound, however, what about post 31st January (if you are staying that long) we are then no longer EU citizens and other factors will come into play? Keep us in the picture and best of luck.

It is my understanding that although the UK will have left the EU on the 31/1/20 all current privileges for travel continue until the end of December 2020 unless the negotiations are extend by agreement. I to have booked a number of flights via Larnaca throughout 2020. I tried Pegasus last year after a number of years away from that route but was far from impressed, the plane was actually dirty and the seat in front and emergency door was covered in gaffer tape holding it together. I then had the delight of a 2 hour stop over where we were rounded up like cattle and taken straight to departures. Never again unless there really is no other option. Pegasus cancelled the return flight with a weeks notice stating there was insufficient transfer time from Ercan to Istanbul, i’d only been booked for 7 months! We were left to make the alternative bookings and reshuffle our airport collections etc.
Shambles of an airline compared to the past and EasyJet leave them standing.

Sallywebstersnipples wrote:

waddo wrote:Hedge-Fund, Can see no problem with your travel plans inbound, however, what about post 31st January (if you are staying that long) we are then no longer EU citizens and other factors will come into play? Keep us in the picture and best of luck.

It is my understanding that although the UK will have left the EU on the 31/1/20 all current privileges for travel continue until the end of December 2020 unless the negotiations are extend by agreement. I to have booked a number of flights via Larnaca throughout 2020. I tried Pegasus last year after a number of years away from that route but was far from impressed, the plane was actually dirty and the seat in front and emergency door was covered in gaffer tape holding it together. I then had the delight of a 2 hour stop over where we were rounded up like cattle and taken straight to departures. Never again unless there really is no other option. Pegasus cancelled the return flight with a weeks notice stating there was insufficient transfer time from Ercan to Istanbul, i’d only been booked for 7 months! We were left to make the alternative bookings and reshuffle our airport collections etc.
Shambles of an airline compared to the past and EasyJet leave them standing.

Have to agree, used PGS a lot in the past but now they have awful flight times linked with stupid length stopovers at Istanbul so it would take a lot for us to use them again.

We all await eagerly news of the first brit to attempt to cross over after Jan 31st. It wont be me!

During the transition phase nothing will change!!!

Do you really believe that Frugal?

Deniz1 wrote:Do you really believe that Frugal?

Especially given that there was apparently no response within a month to the GC letter to the EU to stop third country citizens crossing, which means it could be implemented on 1st February. Either way, if they did, one could ask would the UK gov allow a fellow Commonwealth Country to restrict travel for its citizens, but then the GC's could argue that the North isn't in the Commonwealth as far as they're concerned, though the EU and UN only recognise the whole island as one. There's loads of scenarios, load of eventualities and the only thing we can do it wait, as Deniz1 said, for that first person to try and cross. Our TC friends have a number of properties they rent for holidays etc and are reasonably booked into the year - even they do not know what they are going to do.

Deniz1, Don't really matter who believes or who don't in the end - nobody knows and all we are doing is hedging bets and guessing, they same as everyone else! Plan for the worst, hope for the best and don't be disappointed when you are wrong - lol. Only shred of hope I have is this: Do I really think that the RoC would tell anyone if the EU said no to their proposal - why should they?

From the British High Commission website, albeit published in March last year in anticipation of Brexit happening in April 2019. It would seem to indicate that we're fine unless there's a no deal brexit in which case the gloves are off. I hope there is a deal as we have flights booked from Larnaca in February...

'The UK Government’s wish is still to agree the Withdrawal Agreement. If implemented, the Withdrawal Agreement provides for a substantial implementation period until the end of 2020, during which Britons would continue to be treated on the same basis as EU nationals in the Republic. This will allow more time to try and resolve issues that could affect Britons in the north after the end of the implementation period.'

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/open ... -of-cyprus

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content ... 6-20150831

Worth a read, regardless of the nearly 10 month old information from the BHC.

If we leave with a deal and things stay the same until the end of 2020 I am wondering if the 90/180 days will come into play or that will also be delayed until end 2020 as well. I usually stay more than 90 days in 180 days so it will affect me

Chelsea, It depends if you live in the North or the South. If you live in the North it came into effect in October last year and your answer is simple. If you wish to stay more than 90 days then gain residency. The 90/180 day law has nothing to do with the UK leaving the EU.

If you live in the South you had better check their laws on their web site to be sure.

waddo wrote:Chelsea, It depends if you live in the North or the South. If you live in the North it came into effect in October last year and your answer is simple. If you wish to stay more than 90 days then gain residency. The 90/180 day law has nothing to do with the UK leaving the EU.

If you live in the South you had better check their laws on their web site to be sure.

Thankyou Waldo , I found this on their website and wondered if this will only come into force after the end of 2020. Everything else I’ve read says things will not change in regards of needing a visa & entry but nothing about the 90/180 days

The Republic of Cyprus does not recognise the self-declared ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ in the north of Cyprus, nor residence permits issued by the administration there. After Brexit, the Republic of Cyprus intends to treat UK visitors, including those travelling to or from the north, as other non-EU nationals for visa purposes, unless they are registered as resident in the Republic. The current practice in the Republic is for non-EU nationals who do not require a visa to be admitted for 90 days, and for passports to be stamped accordingly. If that happens, the Republic of Cyprus authorities may count time spent in the north of Cyprus towards the 90 day visa free total. If you overstay, you may potentially face difficulties at the airport on exit or re-entry.

Chelsea, another bit of reading for you - interesting times ahead for us (personally very reluctant) former EU citizens!

In other words they aint letting us in!

Where do you read that deniz1? During the transition phase we will have the same rights of access. After that it will be 90 days in 180 for the roc, this will be the same for all other eu countries.

frugal90 wrote:Where do you read that deniz1? During the transition phase we will have the same rights of access. After that it will be 90 days in 180 for the roc, this will be the same for all other eu countries.

That’s the bit I was asking about, the 90/180 days, is that coming into force straight away. Everything I read says things will stay the same until end 2020 referring to the need of visas but nothing on the 90/180 days

If they dont recognise the TRNC and those of us that arrived at Ercan entered by an illegal port why would they let us into their country.They make up their own rules anyway do you really think they will stick to the transition period? I dont, I used to be married to a GC and know all their tricks.

Hedge-fund wrote:

ljarvo wrote:Hedgefund - can I ask if you don’t mind why you think there will be no problems with you taking your flights from Laranca.

What passport will you be using?

We have flights booked February and August and we are not sure what to do ...

Many thanks

During the negotiations throughout 2020 there will be no changes to movement around the eu.

When the future relationship is agreed we can plan for it.

In the meantime it's just drivel filling an invented void.

I am travelling LON - LCA then driving to Girne later this month so will report back to put your mind at rest if you wish.

Just back from TRNC

No issues, changes on entry or exit via Larnaca and no issues at the crossings.

We're in a dilemma as we have to fly out on 6th Jan 2021, long haul! Now, the flights from Larnaca are shorter by six hours, which is clearly a big plus. We are considering flying out of Larnaca, and returning via Istanbul and subsequently, Ercan, and just taking the extra traveling time and stops on the chin. We're looking at this option as we're assuming that leaving via Larnaca won't be a problem...but coming back through there may well present issues? Your thoughts please...Happy Friday everyone.

Sorry Bridgett.....I can't work out your dates and routes from that post.

If you can give the full itinerary I'm sure posters will help.

Left via Larnaca on 30/01/2020 returned on 07/02/2020 - no issues.