Can I carry a knife in Cyprus?
It depends: small knives are legal, but carrying one in public is an offence without a lawful excuse. Under the Penal Code (Cap. 154), carrying a knife outside your home/yard is an offence, subject to lawful-purpose defences. Legal: a folding, non-locking, non-pointed knife with a blade up to 4 inches (~10 cm), or a folding pointed knife up to 2.5 inches (~6.35 cm). Double-edged knives and swords are heavily restricted (1–2 years' imprisonment). Locking knives (e.g. flick/butterfly) may not be carried in public. In short: a small folding knife yes, a locking/large/pointed one no.
📋 The rules
- Carrying a knife in public = offence (without a lawful excuse)
- Legal non-pointed folding knife up to ~10 cm
- Pointed folding knife: up to ~6.35 cm
- Locking knives: banned from public carry
- Double-edged/swords: 1–2 years' imprisonment
🔓 Exceptions
- Lawful purpose: professional, hunting, fishing, sporting use
- A work knife to/from the workplace: usually defensible
- "For self-defence" is not a lawful excuse
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Unlawfully carrying a non-pointed knife: up to 1 year imprisonment; a pointed knife: roughly 6 months–1 year; a double-edged or pointed knife at licensed premises/festivities: 1–2 years. The knife is confiscated on conviction. Beware a myth: "any folding pocket knife is fine" is false — a locking blade, or a pointed folding blade over ~6.35 cm, can already be illegal to carry in public. Tip: if you carry a work or hunting knife, have a genuine lawful reason and don't carry it otherwise.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I carry a knife in public?
As a rule no without a lawful reason. The Penal Code makes carrying a knife outside your home or yard an offence, unless you have a genuine lawful purpose, such as professional, hunting, fishing or sporting use. Self-defence isn't a lawful reason.
Which knives are allowed?
A folding, non-locking, non-pointed knife with a blade up to about 10 cm is allowed, or a folding pointed knife with a blade up to about 6.35 cm. Beyond these limits, public carry can be illegal.
Are locking pocket knives allowed?
Not for public carry. Locking knives, such as butterfly, flick or folding knives that lock into a fixed blade, may not be carried in public. A simple pocket knife isn't automatically legal.
What about double-edged knives and swords?
They're heavily restricted. Importing, selling, displaying for sale or carrying them outside the home is an offence punishable by one to two years' imprisonment. They're allowed only as decorative or collector's items with a lawful reason.
What penalties apply?
Unlawfully carrying a non-pointed knife is punishable by up to one year imprisonment, a pointed one by about six months to one year, and a double-edged or pointed knife at a licensed venue or festivity by one to two years. The knife is confiscated on conviction.
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