Can I wild-camp in the forests in Cyprus?
No — wild camping in state forests is illegal. Camping is permitted only at designated/organised sites of the Department of Forests; outside them without a permit it's illegal and prosecutable. State forests have around 40 organised sites with a combined capacity of ~23,000 people. Lighting a fire is strictly prohibited outside the special spots; at some sites open fire is banned entirely. You may not use wood gathered in the forest; take all litter away. In June 2026 the Department runs active inspections, especially in the Akamas. In short: only at organised sites.
📋 The rules
- Camping only at organised sites
- ~40 organised sites in state forests
- Fire only at special spots (else banned)
- No wood from the forest; take your litter
- Active inspections (especially Akamas)
🔓 Exceptions
- Organised campsites are legal — the 'no' is for wild camping
- The fire offence extends to within 2 km of the forest
- Glamping/permanent structures: separate planning rules
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Camping in a state forest outside designated sites without a permit is punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment or a fine up to €5,000, or both. Lighting a fire in a forest or within 2 km of its boundary, outside the special spots, is punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment or a €100,000 fine, or both (2025 amendment). Report fire on 1407 (Forests) or 112. Beware a myth: "wild camping is fine if you leave no trace / it's a small fine" is false — it's a criminal offence carrying up to a year in prison, and any unauthorised fire nearby can trigger a six-figure fine. Tip: use the organised sites.
📎 Official sources
- Cyprus Mail · illegal camping (2025) →
- Cyprus Mail · Forests warning (2026) →
- Department of Forests (moa.gov.cy) →
❓ Frequently asked
Is wild camping allowed in Cyprus?
No in state forests. Camping is allowed only at the designated or organised sites of the Department of Forests. Wild camping outside them, without a permit, is illegal and can be criminally prosecuted.
Where can I camp legally?
At one of the roughly 40 organised picnic and camping sites managed by the Department of Forests, with a combined capacity of around 23,000 people. There camping is legal, observing the site's rules.
Can I light a fire?
Not freely. Lighting a fire is strictly prohibited outside the specially designated spots within organised sites, and at some sites open fire is banned entirely. You may not use wood gathered in the forest.
What penalties do I risk?
Illegal camping is punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a fine up to €5,000. Lighting a fire in a forest or within two kilometres of its boundary, outside the special spots, is punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment or a €100,000 fine.
What about glamping?
Permanent structures and glamping are regulated separately by planning law, and a Supreme Court ruling tightened the rules. They aren't a loophole around the wild-camping ban.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “wild camping cyprus”
- “camping forest cyprus”
- “organised camping sites cyprus”
- “forest fire fine cyprus”
- “camping akamas cyprus”
- “wild camping cyprus law”