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Parliament has approved a new legal framework that regulates how leisure venues are licensed and operated, replacing older legislation and expanding oversight.
The law was introduced by DISY MP Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis and passed with 41 votes in favor and three abstentions, following the withdrawal of a government bill on the same issue. It eliminates the existing law on recreation centers and updates the regulatory system for these types of businesses.
Under the new framework, local authorities take on a central role. Municipal and community councils are now responsible for issuing operating licenses for venues within their areas. The Interior Minister also has the authority to transfer these responsibilities to district officers when needed. At the national level, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism will oversee the system by maintaining a registry of licensed venues and ensuring that local decisions align with the country’s tourism strategy.
The legislation also introduces a clearer structure by dividing venues into two main categories: food and leisure establishments, and entertainment venues. It simplifies the licensing process as well by combining multiple permits into a single license when a business would otherwise need more than one.
Operating hours are now clearly defined and vary depending on both the type of venue and the time of year. Restaurants, cafés, and bars are allowed to open early in the morning and remain open late into the night, with slightly extended hours during the summer. Entertainment venues such as discos, cabarets, and event halls are limited to evening hours, with longer schedules during the summer months compared to winter.
District officers are given the ability to adjust operating hours for limited periods of up to six months if specific conditions justify it. These decisions can also be reviewed or reversed after consultation with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
To strengthen enforcement, the law introduces administrative fines and allows courts to order immediate closures in cases involving safety or public health concerns. It also provides a transition period of 18 months, giving new businesses time to meet all regulatory requirements while operating under certain conditions.
The law creates a pathway for some previously unlicensed venues to obtain special operating permits if they meet strict criteria, although this does not apply to certain enclosed entertainment venues.
Anyone applying for a license must submit detailed documentation, including architectural plans that reflect the actual structure of the premises, certifications from registered engineers, fire safety studies, health approvals, and clean criminal record certificates for both owners and managers. Fire safety plans must be reviewed within six months, followed by inspections and certification within a set timeframe.
Licenses will be valid for three years and can be renewed twice, provided the business remains in compliance. Once a license expires, the venue cannot continue operating without renewal.
A proposal that would have required consultation with local authorities on operating hours was rejected. At the same time, lawmakers approved additional changes addressing how hotels that operate leisure venues are regulated, with a focus on fair competition and noise control.
Hadjiyiannis said the new law establishes a foundation that Parliament can build on, leaving room for further adjustments as needed.
