Can I burn garden waste in Cyprus?
Not freely — open burning is tightly controlled. Lighting fires in rural areas to burn weeds, trimmings and trees is banned; open burning is controlled by the Department of Forests. From 1 June to 30 September, using any tool/machine that can produce heat, flame or sparks inside a state forest or within a 2 km radius of its boundary requires written permission from the Director of Forests. Permits come from the local forestry station. The restriction does not apply inside residential/industrial zones. Report fire on 1407 or 112. In short: not freely, and near a forest you need a permit.
📋 The rules
- Open burning of clippings/weeds: banned
- 1 Jun–30 Sep: permit for spark equipment within 2 km of a forest
- Written permission from the local forestry station
- Doesn't apply in residential/industrial zones
- Fire: call 1407 (Forests) or 112
🔓 Exceptions
- Residential/industrial zones: excluded (safety measures still apply)
- The Forests Director can grant written permission for specific works
- High-temperature/strong-wind days: avoid entirely
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Using spark-producing equipment near state forests without a permit in the June–September period carries a fixed fine of €2,000. Under the 2025 amendment, causing a fire within a state forest or within 2 km of its boundary is punishable by up to 12 years' imprisonment, a fine up to €100,000, or both. Beware a myth: "I can burn my own garden clippings on my land in summer" is false — open burning is broadly banned and within 2 km of forest you need a permit; careless fire risks the €100,000 / 12-year exposure. Tip: take clippings to a green-waste collection point instead of burning them.
📎 Official sources
- Cyprus Mail · Forests warning (2026) →
- Department of Forests · permits →
- Department of Forests (moa.gov.cy) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I burn clippings in my garden?
Not freely. Lighting fires in rural areas to burn weeds, trimmings and trees is banned, and open burning is tightly controlled by the Department of Forests. Near a forest, you need a permit during the fire season.
When do I need a permit?
From 1 June to 30 September, using any tool or machine that can produce heat, flame or sparks, inside a state forest or within a 2-kilometre radius of its boundary, requires written permission from the Director of Forests.
Does it apply in residential zones?
No. The June–September restriction on spark-producing equipment doesn't apply to work inside residential areas or inside industrial and craft zones, even if within two kilometres of a state forest. Safety precautions still apply.
What penalties do I risk?
Using spark-producing equipment near forests without a permit in the June–September period carries a fixed €2,000 fine. Causing a fire in a forest or within two kilometres of it is punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment or a fine up to €100,000.
How do I dispose of clippings properly?
Instead of burning them, take trimmings and plant waste to a collection point or green-waste disposal site. That avoids the fire risk and the heavy forestry-law fines, especially during the fire season.
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