Do I need a licence for my business premises in Cyprus, and how do I get one?

To use premises for business activity you must obtain a licence from the local municipal or community council, applying directly to that council under the Municipalities Law of 1985 (111/1985), article 103, or the Communities Law of 1999 (86(I)/1999), article 85. Your application should include the building permit, certificate of approval and a copy of the title deeds, and the premises may need certification from the Cyprus Fire Service and the Electrical and Mechanical Services, while catering and entertainment establishments involve the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. The authority decides within four months of submitting your application, and a licence is valid for either six months or a year, renewed by repeating the initial procedure. Fees are not fixed on the page and depend on the type of premises, and you should check applicable legal requirements at least a month before submitting. For current fees and rules, the official businessincyprus.gov.cy page is authoritative.