Public Performance – Use of Any Premises or Place

Last Update on 07/12/2023

Use of any premises or place for theatrical, dancing, cinematographic or other performance, for providing or serving food and beverages and as an entertainment establishment

General Information

In order to use any building, premises, tent, or place:

(a) For any theatrical, dancing, or cinematographic performance;

(b) As a restaurant, tavern, snack bar, cafeteria, pizzeria or any other similar purpose where food and beverages are served, with an area that exceeds 50 square meters and;

(c) As a music and dance establishment, discotheque, cabaret, pub, bar or for any other entertainment – related purpose, with an area that exceeds 50 square meters.

Where the public is admitted or for any other gathering in the Republic of Cyprus, one needs to obtain a licence by the Municipal or Community Council, within the boundaries of which the activity will take place.

In case that, the pursuing of the specific activity relates to the compliance with requirements provisioned by different legislation of the Republic of Cyprus, the licence is obtained provided that the local Municipal or Community Council is satisfied that those criteria are met, such as:

  • The obtainment of a building permit for the premises (in case existing premises are to be used);
  • The obtainment of the certificate of appropriateness for the equipment by the Municipalities/Communities Engineer or in any other case by the Director of the Public Works Department confirming the safety and suitability of the premises, equipment, furniture, lighting, and ventilation system;
  • The obtainment of the Certificate of Appropriateness by the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services for electrical equipment and installations;
  • The obtainment of the Certificate of Appropriateness by the Cyprus Fire Service;
  • List of the equipment to be used;
  • The obtainment of Sanitary Certificate issued by the Municipality (where applicable);
  • Title of deeds or lease agreement with the owner of the place (where applicable).

The application form for the obtainment of the licence for hosting theatrical, dancing, cinematographic or other public performance in any Premises or Place can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or by contacting directly the local Municipal Council or Community Council, depending on the location where the activity will take place.

  1. The following documents should be submitted:

    • Original building permit;
    • Copy of the Certificate of Appropriateness for the equipment by the Municipalities/Communities Engineer, or the Director of the Department of Public Works, confirming the safety and suitability of the premises, equipment, furniture, lighting, and ventilation system;
    • Original Certificate of Appropriateness by the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services for the electrical equipment and installations;
    • Original Certificate of Appropriateness by the by the Cyprus Fire Service;
    • List of the equipment to be used;
    • Copy of the Sanitary Certificate issued by the Municipality (where applicable);
    • Copy of the Title of deeds or lease agreement with the owner of the place (where applicable).

    The Municipal Council may require additional conditions provided that those are defined and published prior to the submission of the application form.

    On-site inspections are carried out, by authorized inspectors of the Municipality/Community Council, in cooperation with authorized inspectors of other related departments, in order to ensure that all the prerequisites are met.

Upon approval, the applicant needs to pay the licence fee, of the amount and method of payment determined by the Municipal or Community Council, according to the duration of the licence.

Indicatively, the licence fee in a Community does not exceed €85,43 for only one performance, €170,86 for a period of one week, and € 341.72 for a period of one month.

The applicant is informed regarding the authorization decision within three months from the date that the application form and supporting documents were duly submitted.

The license is provided for one performance or for a duration not exceeding one year. The licence is renewed by following the same procedure as described above.

Administrative Action against a Competent Authority’s Decision

Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative Court against a decision, act, or omission of any competent authority or body.

Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.

The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action

After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.

Appeal Information

An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such a decision was given.

At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated. However, such a revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.

The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.

Licensed persons to use a building, premise, a tent, or any other area, as described above, are obliged to comply with the provisions of the Municipalities Law of 1985 (article 112-117) or the Communities Law of 1999 (article 93-97), and relevant regulations, as periodically amended, as well as with the terms and conditions of the licence set by the Municipal or Community Council.

Authorized inspectors of the local Municipality or Community Council and authorized inspectors of related departments may, at any time, enter the premises, for which the licence has been issued, in order to ensure the premises are suitable and safe for public use. The Municipality or Community Council may impose any special conditions or measures to be undertaken that may be deemed necessary for the public safety.