Flying into/out of Ercan and visiting South

[Salopian]

Hello to all forum members. For many years was a lurker here to get info when needed, but I've just joined and this is my first post.

I lived in Cyprus (SBA at Ay Nik) from 2009-2018, and at that time also had in laws who lived in Lapta (near Karsiyaka end), close to Hoş Beş supermarket. My first holiday to the TRNC was to Hotel Sempati, flying with the old Cyprus Turkish Airlines in 2006, so i have a lo g history with the island and love the north. We spent a lot of time there house sitting etc between 2009-18, flitting across the border with ease in our South Cyprus registered car.. I haven't been back since I left cyprus in 2018 though and my then in laws also left due to ill health (sadly my then father in law died very shortly after). I understand its changed and not so easy now.

We are flying into Ercan for a family holiday in Jul and Aug, staying in Lapta, near the Sempati/Olive Press area. I'm happy to spend the entirety of the time in the TRNC, but for old times sake would maybe like to visit my old houses in the south if it is possible.

Now, the question had probably been answered here already, but I can't find it- now we are no longer EU citizens , am I prohibited from entering the South if I entered through 'illegal' Ercan?

I suspect the answer is yes and we therefore cant cross south, and I'm OK with that if that's the case (another brexit bonus...), but can anyone confirm?

Many thanks all. Hope all posters are well.

[waddo]

As a UK Third Country National, with a UK passport, there should be nothing to stop you "visiting" the South. How you get there and how you get around once there is an entirely different matter! As I understand it you can not take a hire car from North to South - happy to be shot down there - but as a UK citizen you can only take a TRNC registered vehicle across the Green Line for 1 day at a time. Look on the site here for TOM 89 and driving to the South, there is a lot of information there and it is a total pain in the backside for no apparent reason.

I would suggest that you cross via the Ledra crossing on foot, hire a car in the South and then wander your way into your history, probably the easiest way to do it.

Also look on here for the amount of time you can spend in the TRNC on holidays. For instant information try here:
https://www.infonorthcyprus.com/. You will probably find answers to many more questions there. Good luck.

[a1sysman]

Hello to all forum members. For many years was a lurker here to get info when needed, but I've just joined and this is my first post.

I lived in Cyprus (SBA at Ay Nik) from 2009-2018, and at that time also had in laws who lived in Lapta (near Karsiyaka end), close to Hoş Beş supermarket. My first holiday to the TRNC was to Hotel Sempati, flying with the old Cyprus Turkish Airlines in 2006, so i have a lo g history with the island and love the north. We spent a lot of time there house sitting etc between 2009-18, flitting across the border with ease in our South Cyprus registered car.. I haven't been back since I left cyprus in 2018 though and my then in laws also left due to ill health (sadly my then father in law died very shortly after). I understand its changed and not so easy now.

We are flying into Ercan for a family holiday in Jul and Aug, staying in Lapta, near the Sempati/Olive Press area. I'm happy to spend the entirety of the time in the TRNC, but for old times sake would maybe like to visit my old houses in the south if it is possible.

Now, the question had probably been answered here already, but I can't find it- now we are no longer EU citizens , am I prohibited from entering the South if I entered through 'illegal' Ercan?

I suspect the answer is yes and we therefore cant cross south, and I'm OK with that if that's the case (another brexit bonus...), but can anyone confirm?

Many thanks all. Hope all posters are well.

You can cross on foot into the south and back again without issue using any of the internal crossing points.
Car hired in the north and crossing into the south is likely to be an issue. Check with the TRNC car hire company beforehand. Third party car insurance would need to be purchased in the south via the Lefkoşa Metehan crossing point. Minimum of one month’s insurance. A TOM89 document for the vehicle and driver would need to be obtained prior to purchasing the third party insurance, again only at Metehan. TOM89 document will be valid until midnight on date of issue. TOM office is next to insurance booths. TOM office only open Mon-Fri excluding RoC public holidays, and between hours of 08:30-14:30 only. I advise attending earlier rather than close to closing time. Docs required by the driver: UK passport, UK driving licence - or EU equivalents. Vehicle koçan (registration document) also required. Alternatively, cross on foot, taxi, public transport or hire a car in the south.

[Salopian]

Thanks for your replies. I would walk from Black Night crossing (Famagusta) up to Ay Nik, I wouldn't need a car.

Will there be any consequences od entering the South and not officially leaving? As I understand it, they don't 'stamp you out' of the south when you return north- would I have later problems if I tried to enter the South at Larnaca and it appeared I'd never left?

Thanks again,