More than 3,000 premises in the municipality of Paphos are operating without the legally required annual operating licence, according to an announcement by Paphos Municipality.
Following the completion of a physical survey of professional and commercial premises within the municipal area, the local authority found widespread non-compliance with licensing requirements set out in the Municipalities Law (Law 52(I)/2022).
Businesses at risk of closure
The municipality warned that it will proceed with the suspension of operations at leisure and entertainment venues, as well as any premises where business, industrial, commercial or professional activities are carried out, if the necessary operating licence has not been secured. The warning applies under Articles 55 and 56 of the law.
According to the municipality, the unlicensed premises include banks, small manufacturing units, offices of self-employed professionals, accounting, legal and architectural firms, medical practices, retail shops, leisure spaces under 50 square metres, fast-food outlets and other businesses.
Enforcement measures from March 2026
The municipality said that non-compliance may stem from deliberate violations, ignorance of the law or negligence. However, it stressed that the current situation can no longer be tolerated.
In an effort to ensure full enforcement of the law in the public interest, Paphos Municipality announced that from 1 March 2026 it will take legal action and proceed with the immediate suspension of operations at all premises that remain unlicensed.
Call to business owners
To avoid penalties and closures, business owners and professionals are urged to secure the required operating licence before the deadline.
Applications for an operating licence must be submitted exclusively online and are available on the official website of Paphos Municipality at https://pafos.org.cy/entipa/