Cyprus Plug Type: Do You Need an Adapter? Plus Entry Requirements and Tipping

“Do I need a plug adapter?” is one of the first questions our guests ask before they arrive. We live in Coral Bay near Paphos, and in this guide we answer it – together with the other Cyprus travel information you need: entry requirements, tipping, emergency numbers and a few things worth knowing before your holiday. Every fact is backed by a source.

What plug type is used in Cyprus? The British-style Type G

The island uses the British-style Type G plug and socket, the standard type G power plug with three rectangular pins set in a triangle. The tourism authority describes the power sockets as 13 amp, square-pin sockets, fitted in most buildings. The same plugs are used in Northern Cyprus, with the same 230V supply.

A Type G plug has an earth pin. The longer earth pin opens the shutters that cover the two other holes of the socket, which is why a two-pin plug cannot simply be pushed in. In the British system, every plug also contains a fuse.

Continental European plug and socket types are different: Germany and Austria use Type C and Type F plugs, Switzerland Type C and J. None of these two-pin plugs fits the three rectangular openings of the sockets in Cyprus – whether you stay in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca or with us in Paphos.

Do you need a plug adaptor in Cyprus? The right adapter

From the UK: no. Your UK plug fits the plug sockets directly, so your phone charger, hair dryer and laptop work without an adapter.

From Europe and elsewhere: yes. The adaptor you need converts your electrical plug (for example the Europlug, Type C) to the British three-pin shape. Most phone and laptop chargers need only a simple travel adapter; an adapter changes the shape of the plug, not the voltage. A power plug adapter with USB ports is handy if you bring several electric devices.

Some electrical safety tips:

• Only run low-power appliances through an adaptor. The tourism authority does not recommend adaptors for high-power appliances such as electric heaters, toasters or irons.
• Never improvise a two-pin connection by forcing a plug into the socket.
• Power adapters are widely available: many hotels lend them at reception, and you can buy an adapter in Cyprus at electrical shops and supermarkets.

If you want to plug in several devices, the authority recommends a socket extension rather than several adaptors.

Voltage in Cyprus: 230V at 50Hz – do you need a converter?

Mains power is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz – the same as in the UK and most of Europe. That means you do not need a converter. Some websites still quote 240V; the tourism authority states 230V.

Visitors from the USA or Canada should check their appliances: many chargers are rated 100–240V and work fine with just a plug adapter, but an appliance rated only for 110–120V needs a voltage converter (travel converter). Check the power rating printed on the plug or power supply.

Cyprus entry requirements for UK travellers

The island is in the EU but not in the Schengen area. According to the UK Foreign Office (FCDO), your British passport must have:

• a date of issue less than 10 years before the day you arrive
• an expiry date at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave
• at least one blank page for stamps

You can visit without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Time spent there does not count towards your Schengen limit, and Cyprus does not use the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.

ETIAS: the EU travel authorisation will also apply to Cyprus. According to the official EU website, UK nationals will need it from the last quarter of 2026; it costs EUR 20 and is not yet in operation. Check the official ETIAS site before you travel.

Fly into Paphos or Larnaca only. Entering through Ercan airport in the north is treated as illegal entry by the Republic of Cyprus. EU citizens can travel with a national identity card. Read more in Is Cyprus safe? and how to reach us in Getting to Coral Bay.

Tipping in Cyprus: how much?

Tipping is at your discretion. The tourism authority says hotel and restaurant staff appreciate it, and taxi drivers, porters and hairdressers welcome a small tip. If a service charge is already on the bill, you do not need to add more. For good service, rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 per cent is common, according to the Cyprus Mail.

The currency is the euro and cards are widely accepted. For more, see our guide to Cyprus currency and prices.

Emergency numbers, tap water and vaccinations

Dial 112 or 199 anywhere on the island for an ambulance, the fire service or the police; English is spoken. Read our guide to the language in Cyprus for more on getting by in English.

According to the tourism authority, tap water is safe to drink, including in hotels and restaurants, and is monitored by the public health services. There are no vaccination requirements.

Time difference and driving

The island is two hours ahead of the UK. Clocks change on the same Sundays in March and October, so the difference stays the same all year.

Traffic drives on the left, like in the UK. If you plan to hire a car, read our guide to car rental in Cyprus.

FAQ: Cyprus plug and socket type

Do I need a plug adapter for Cyprus from the UK?

No. Cyprus uses the British Type G plug and socket, so UK plugs fit directly.

Do I need a voltage converter in Cyprus?

No, not from the UK or Europe. The voltage is 230V at 50Hz. Only appliances rated for 110–120V need a converter.

What plug do I need for Cyprus from Europe?

A plug adapter from your two-pin plug (Type C or F) to the British Type G with three rectangular pins.

Do you tip in Cyprus?

Tipping is at your discretion. If there is no service charge on the bill, rounding up or 5 to 10 per cent is common for good service.

Summary: UK plugs work, Europeans need an adapter

The island uses standard Type G sockets at 230V and 50Hz. Travellers from the UK need neither an adapter nor a converter; visitors from mainland Europe need an adapter for sockets type G – Cyprus plug adaptors are also sold in supermarkets. Add a valid passport and a few euros for tips, and you are ready for your holiday. To plan when to go, read our guide to the best time to visit Cyprus.

Sources: sockets, voltage, adaptors, emergency numbers, tipping, tap water and clock changes from the Visit Cyprus Travellers Handbook (tourism authority); plug types and voltage by country, earth pin, shutters and fuse from WorldStandards and its Type G page; passport, visa, EES and Ercan from GOV.UK (FCDO); ETIAS from the official EU ETIAS website (16.04.2026); tipping amounts from the Cyprus Mail (16.12.2025). Cover photo: roof terrace of Villa Halia in Coral Bay, our own photo. Last updated: October 2026.