Can I drive without a seatbelt in Cyprus?
No — the seatbelt is mandatory in front and rear seats. Seatbelts are compulsory in all seats, front and rear. Children under 150 cm must be secured in a restraint suitable for their height and weight. Children under 5 are not allowed in the front seat under any circumstances. Stages: under 135 cm an appropriate child seat; 135–150 cm a booster used with the vehicle's seatbelt; over 150 cm the standard adult seatbelt suffices. Police run regular checks. In short: no — the seatbelt is mandatory everywhere.
📋 The rules
- Seatbelt mandatory front and rear
- Children under 150 cm: suitable restraint
- Under 5: not in the front seat
- <135 cm child seat; 135–150 cm booster
- Over 150 cm: standard seatbelt
🔓 Exceptions
- Medical exemptions with a certificate
- The threshold is height-based, not just age
- The under-5-in-front ban is absolute
⚠️ Penalties & fines
An adult seatbelt violation carries a €150 fine (about €300 on repeat). Carrying a child without proper restraint brings a fine and penalty points; sources give slightly different amounts (from ~€85 + points to €150–€300) — confirm with Police/Road Transport. Beware a myth: "rear-seat passengers don't need to belt up in Cyprus" is false — seatbelts are compulsory in the rear as well as the front. Tip: secure every child in a seat suited to their height, and don't put a child under 5 in the front.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Are rear seatbelts mandatory?
Yes. Seatbelts are mandatory in all seats of the vehicle, both front and rear. The claim that rear-seat passengers don't need a belt is incorrect and draws a fine.
What applies to children?
Children under 150 cm tall must be secured in a restraint suitable for their height and weight. Under 135 cm an appropriate child seat is required, while from 135 to 150 cm a booster used with the vehicle's seatbelt suffices.
Can a child sit in the front?
Children under 5 are not allowed in the front seat under any circumstances. This ban is absolute, regardless of whether a suitable seat is fitted. Older children may with appropriate restraint.
How big is the fine?
An adult seatbelt violation carries a €150 fine, rising to about €300 on repeat. For a child without proper restraint, a fine and penalty points apply; amounts differ by source, so confirm them officially.
Are there exceptions?
There are some medical exemptions where a certificate confirms a seatbelt cannot be worn. Beyond these, seatbelt use is mandatory for everyone. The threshold for children is based on height, not age alone.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “seatbelt cyprus”
- “child car seat cyprus height”
- “rear seatbelt cyprus”
- “seatbelt fine cyprus”
- “child front seat cyprus”
- “booster seat cyprus”