Customs spokesman George Constantinou told state radio on 10 October that the number of Greek Cypriots crossing into northern Cyprus to refuel has spiked as pump prices in the Republic hit new highs. Seizures of fuel exceeding personal-use limits at checkpoints have tripled to roughly 500 litres each of petrol and diesel per month compared with early 2026. Average prices in the Republic now stand at €1.757 per litre for unleaded 95 and €2.022 for diesel—around 20–30 % higher than in the north, where petrol retails at about €1.38 and diesel at €1.36. With no routine customs infrastructure along the UN-monitored Green Line, officers rely on random checks; transporting fuel across is legal up to 10 litres, beyond which duty is payable and confiscation likely. The surge highlights how price differentials can distort cross-line mobility. Retail associations in Nicosia and Larnaca complain of lost sales, while environmental groups warn that extra car journeys add to congestion and emissions. The finance ministry says it is monitoring the situation but argues that subsidising fuel would undermine budget-discipline goals set with Brussels. For mobility and relocation managers, the episode underscores the idiosyncrasies of operating on an island where an internal political division creates two parallel regulatory spaces. Companies with vehicle fleets or assignees who cross regularly should ensure insurance policies and lease agreements cover both jurisdictions and that staff know customs limits to avoid fines. Long-term, analysts expect the gap to narrow once Cyprus adopts the EU’s new carbon pricing on transport fuels and as the Turkish-lira exchange rate fluctuates. In the meantime, the customs department plans additional spot checks and a public-information campaign at the busiest crossing, Ayios Dhometios, ahead of the Christmas travel rush.
Source: Cyprus Mail
