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Cyprus Resubmits Hospitality Bill With Extended Hours Under Review

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 31, 2026

Resubmission Sparks Renewed Legislative Scrutiny

The government resubmitted a revised bill regulating hospitality operations after withdrawing the initial draft minutes before its planned presentation in Parliament. Review of the proposal is now underway in the Parliamentary Committee on Commerce.

Originally developed by political parties, the measure was later reintroduced by Kyriakos Chatzigiannis following committee recommendations. Lawmakers aim to secure approval before the current Parliament is dissolved.

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Intense Debate Over Operating Hours And Noise Regulations

Strong reactions followed the withdrawal, as lawmakers noted the draft had been reviewed for more than five months across ten sessions. Debate centered on operating hours and noise regulations. Across political groups, positions diverged on late-night limits and enforcement mechanisms.

Key Provisions Of The Revised Bill

Changes agreed within the Committee on Commerce include extended operating hours for hospitality venues. Under the proposal, taverns and pubs could operate until 3:30 a.m. throughout the year. Music and dance venues may remain open until 5:00 a.m. following a ministerial decree. Authority to extend operating hours beyond 3:30 a.m., up to 5:00 a.m., rests with the Energy Minister upon proposal from the Deputy Minister of Tourism. Existing unlicensed venues operating before the law takes effect may apply for permits if requirements are met, excluding private clubs.

Decentralizing Licensing Authority

Responsibility for licensing shifts to local and community councils, replacing the previous centralized role of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. In regional areas, the Interior Minister may delegate licensing powers for recreational spaces, with exemptions applying to hotel-casino establishments.

Ensuring Compliance And Accountability

Oversight will be handled through a centralized registry maintained by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, alongside inspections. Where necessary, authorities may require corrective actions in coordination with licensing bodies. Requirements are also adjusted, including the removal of the risk assessment letter from the Labor Inspection Service. Banquet halls are exempt from displaying service price lists.

Further review is scheduled at the Parliamentary Committee on Commerce on Tuesday. Final approval depends on resolving disagreements over operating hours and enforcement rules.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

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.