Cyprus Drink-Driving Limit & Penalties (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

• The general drink-driving limit in Cyprus is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath — equivalent to 50 mg per 100 ml of blood (0.05% BAC).
• A much stricter limit of 9 µg/100 ml of breath (0.02% BAC) applies to newly-qualified drivers, motorcyclists, and professional drivers (lorry, bus, taxi and dangerous-goods).
• Penalties rise with the breath reading — from on-the-spot fines and penalty points to court, a driving ban, and imprisonment for the highest readings.
• Cyprus enforces zero tolerance for drug-driving, using roadside saliva tests, with heavy maximum penalties.
• From April 2026, serious drink- and drug-driving offences can trigger an immediate roadside licence suspension and go straight to court.

Cyprus takes drink-driving seriously, and the rules catch many visitors and new residents off guard — especially the far lower limit for new and professional drivers, and the fact that the amounts are measured in breath micrograms rather than the blood-alcohol percentage you may be used to. This guide lays out the current limits, the penalty structure, and the recent enforcement changes, so you know exactly where the line is.

What Is the Drink-Driving Limit in Cyprus?

The standard legal limit for most drivers in Cyprus is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which corresponds to 50 milligrams per 100 ml of blood, or 0.05% blood-alcohol concentration (BAC). That is lower than the 0.08% limit used in some countries, so a driver who would be legal elsewhere can be over the limit in Cyprus.

Because the practical roadside test measures breath, it's the 22 µg breath figure that officers work to. There is no reliable way to convert "number of drinks" into a breath reading — it depends on body weight, food, time and metabolism — so the only safe amount before driving is none.

The Stricter Limit for New and Professional Drivers

A significantly lower limit of 9 micrograms per 100 ml of breath (20 mg/100 ml blood, or 0.02% BAC) applies to higher-risk groups. If you fall into any of these categories, you are held to the stricter standard:

• Newly-qualified / probationary drivers
• Motorcyclists
• Professional drivers — lorry, bus and taxi drivers
• Drivers carrying dangerous goods

For these drivers, 0.02% is close enough to zero that any alcohol at all is a serious risk. Treat the limit as "don't drink and drive" rather than trying to gauge a safe amount.

Penalties for Drink-Driving in Cyprus

Penalties in Cyprus scale with the breath reading, combining fines with penalty points and, for higher readings, court proceedings that can lead to a driving ban and imprisonment. The commonly published fixed-penalty schedule is broadly as follows:

• 23–35 µg — around a €100 fine, with up to a couple of penalty points.
• 36–55 µg — around a €200 fine and additional points.
• 56–70 µg — around a €300 fine and more points.
• 71 µg and above — referral to court, where the penalty can be imprisonment or a court-set fine.

These amounts are widely reported but should be treated as a guide — always confirm current figures, as fines and bands can change. Cyprus also runs a penalty-points system: points accumulate on your record, a total of 12 points triggers court action and possible disqualification, and points fall off roughly three years after they're imposed. For how points interact with other offences, see our guide to Cyprus speed limits, fines and penalty points.

Drug-Driving: Zero Tolerance

Cyprus operates a zero-tolerance policy for drug-driving. There is no permitted threshold — if a confirmatory test detects any trace of a controlled drug, you can be prosecuted. The Cyprus Police use a two-stage roadside saliva test (a hand-held screen followed by laboratory confirmation) and can test you after a collision, after a traffic violation, or on reasonable suspicion. Refusing to give a sample is treated as a positive result.

The maximum penalties for drug-driving are severe — reported as up to a €3,500 fine, up to three years' imprisonment, and up to a three-year licence suspension, or a combination. The framework has been in force in Cyprus since 2018.

What Changed in 2025–2026

Enforcement has tightened recently. From April 2026, Cyprus introduced immediate roadside licence suspension for serious offences — driving under the influence, refusing a breath or saliva sample, and repeat drink-driving within a 12-month period. These cases proceed directly to court rather than being settled out of court, and getting your licence back requires a medical certificate and a medical board assessment.

Separately, lawmakers have proposed a complete alcohol ban (a zero limit) for new drivers with three years' experience or less. As of this writing that measure is a proposal before parliament, not enacted law — but it signals the direction of travel, and new drivers should assume the strictest interpretation.

For the wider rules of the road in Cyprus, see our essential guide to driving in Cyprus, and if you're preparing for your licence, you can practise the Cyprus theory test for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the drink-driving limit in Cyprus?

For most drivers it is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath, equal to 50 mg per 100 ml of blood or 0.05% BAC. Newly-qualified, motorcycle and professional drivers face a stricter limit of 9 µg/100 ml breath (0.02% BAC).

How many drinks can I have before driving in Cyprus?

There is no safe number. How a drink affects your breath-alcohol reading depends on your weight, metabolism, food and timing, so any amount can put you over — especially under the 0.02% limit for new and professional drivers. The only reliable approach is not to drink before driving.

What are the penalties for drink-driving in Cyprus?

Penalties scale with your breath reading, from roughly €100 fines plus penalty points at the lowest band up to court proceedings, a driving ban and imprisonment for readings of 71 µg and above. Twelve accumulated penalty points can lead to disqualification.

Does Cyprus test for drugs at the roadside?

Yes. Cyprus applies zero tolerance for drug-driving and uses a two-stage saliva test at the roadside. Any confirmed trace can lead to prosecution, with maximum penalties reported at up to €3,500, three years' imprisonment and a three-year licence suspension.

Is the alcohol limit lower for new drivers in Cyprus?

Yes. Newly-qualified drivers, along with motorcyclists and professional drivers, are held to 9 µg/100 ml of breath (0.02% BAC) rather than the general 0.05%. A proposal to lower this to a complete zero limit for new drivers is under consideration.

Alcohol limits, fine amounts and enforcement rules are set by Cypriot law and can change; several figures here come from specialist guides rather than a primary government source and should be confirmed with the Cyprus Police or Road Transport Department. This guide is general information, not legal advice.