Tax Authorities To Step Up Checks On Coastal Businesses In Cyprus

Expanded Regulatory Oversight

Cyprus’ Tax Department plans to carry out onsite inspections of businesses in coastal areas during July and August as part of efforts to strengthen tax compliance. The inspections form part of the government’s broader tax reform programme aimed at reducing tax evasion and improving tax collection.

Targeting High-Impact Sectors

Authorities will focus primarily on businesses that experience increased customer activity during the summer tourism season. Inspections will examine compliance with receipt issuance requirements and review outstanding tax liabilities. Businesses found in breach of the regulations may face enforcement measures, including the temporary suspension of operations until compliance requirements are met.

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Strict New Legal Framework

Legislation that entered into force on January 1, 2026, allows authorities to temporarily close businesses, legal entities and individuals with tax debts exceeding €20,000, as well as businesses that fail to issue receipts. Initial enforcement measures are expected to follow practices similar to those used in Greece as Cyprus expands its tax compliance efforts.

Operational Tactics And Enforcement

According to local reports, tax officials will conduct checks by comparing receipts issued by businesses with those held by customers. Inspectors will verify transaction details using digital tools and review whether receipts have been issued correctly. Businesses that fail to comply will receive three warnings and a total compliance period of 25 days before closure measures can be applied.

Focus On Large Debtors

Initial enforcement efforts will target approximately 500 businesses with tax debts exceeding €1 million. The list includes companies operating in sectors such as betting, retail, yacht sales and vehicle dealerships. Although the legislation applies to businesses with debts above €20,000, authorities have indicated that larger debtors will be prioritised during the first phase of implementation.

Future Implications And Extended Enforcement

Additional enforcement measures are expected to be introduced in 2027. Planned provisions may allow authorities to close businesses that fail to submit tax, VAT and other statutory returns. Once compliance requirements have been satisfied and verified by the Tax Commissioner, affected businesses will be permitted to resume operations.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 24, 2026

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

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