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Safety · Cyprus
Updated September 2026

🔍 A family member is missing — do I have to wait 24 hours before reporting?

Direct answer

No. The 24-hour rule is a myth in every EU country: report to Αστυνομία Κύπρου — αστυνομικός σταθμός / 112 (112) as soon as you are worried, especially for a child, an elderly person, someone ill or someone in crisis. Bring a recent photo, a description of clothes, the phone number and any recent messages. Γραμμή 116 111 (Hope for Children) (116 111) is the missing-persons line for Cyprus — it supports families, coordinates appeals and works with the police. Υπηρεσίες Κοινωνικής Ευημερίας / Γραμμή 1440 (1440) is there for the family in the days after.

Call firstΑστυνομία Κύπρου — αστυνομικός σταθμός / 112
Report toΓραμμή 116 111 (Hope for Children)
If that failsΥπηρεσίες Κοινωνικής Ευημερίας / Γραμμή 1440

🗣️ What to say

"I want to report [name], [age], missing since [date, time]. Last seen at [place] wearing [clothes]. [Medical condition / vulnerability / recent crisis.] Phone [number], last contact [when]. Photo attached. I am worried because [reason]."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Report now: Αστυνομία Κύπρου — αστυνομικός σταθμός / 112Phone or in person; for a child or a vulnerable person, the emergency number. Give the "worry factors" — they set the priority.
  2. Check the obvious in parallelFriends, hospitals, the last known place. Keep a list of who you have called.
  3. Phone and accountsLast location from shared apps, last message, recent transactions — ask the police what they can request.
  4. Missing-persons line: Γραμμή 116 111 (Hope for Children)They help with public appeals and keep contact with the police for the family.
  5. A child abroadThe EU number 116 000 connects to the child-hotline in every member state.

📇 All contacts

Αστυνομία Κύπρου — αστυνομικός σταθμός / 112Report at any police stationBurglary, theft, threats📞 112🔗 www.police.gov.cy
Γραμμή 116 111 (Hope for Children)Helpline for children and teenagersFor children and teenagers📞 116 111🔗 www.uncrcpc.org.cy
Υπηρεσίες Κοινωνικής Ευημερίας / Γραμμή 1440Reporting a child at riskAs soon as a child worries you📞 1440🔗 www.mlsi.gov.cy/sws
Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός ΣύλλογοςFree lawyer for low incomesWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.cyprusbarassociation.org

❓ Frequently asked

They are an adult and left voluntarily

Adults may go missing by choice; the police check they are safe and, if they wish, tell you only that. A vulnerability or a crisis changes the response — say it.

Can I post an appeal on social media?

Coordinate with the police and Γραμμή 116 111 (Hope for Children) first; a badly timed appeal can cause harm or be impossible to take down later.

What happens when they are found?

The police inform you, with the person's consent for an adult. Support for the family and the person continues through Υπηρεσίες Κοινωνικής Ευημερίας / Γραμμή 1440.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “report missing person Cyprus”
  • “missing person 24 hours myth”
  • “child missing what to do Cyprus”
  • “116 000 missing children”
  • “missing family member police”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🐕Pet missing→🆔Identity theft→💻Online harassment→📲Family emergency scam→

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