Cyprus Tax Inspectors Find 60 Businesses Violating Receipt Rules

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 25, 2026

Cyprus tax inspectors found 60 businesses violating receipt and invoice rules during more than 100 surprise inspections in Paphos, Ayia Napa, Protaras and Larnaca. Checks targeted tourist businesses as activity increased during the summer season.

Inspections Target Tourist Businesses

The inspections covered marine sports and excursion operators, souvenir shops and food and beverage outlets. They form part of the Tax Department’s revenue-protection measures, including the power to seal business premises, which has been in force since June.

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Businesses Failed To Issue Receipts

In 60 cases, businesses failed to issue lawful receipts or invoices after providing goods or services. Some did not issue receipts at all, while others reported transaction values that did not match the actual amounts.

Inspectors also received complaints about businesses refusing card payments for small purchases or accepting only cash.

Businesses Face Sealing After Repeated Violations

Businesses found in breach receive a first warning and 15 days to comply. A second notice provides another 15 days, followed by a five-day grace period before officials can seal the premises.

Once the business complies, the seal can be removed after the Tax Commissioner issues the relevant certificate. Continued non-compliance can result in the premises remaining sealed for up to 20 days.

Follow-Up Checks Show Compliance

During inspections in July, 15 of the 30 businesses checked were found to be in breach. Follow-up inspections found that those businesses were issuing receipts and accepting card payments.

The Tax Department plans to continue inspections to prevent repeat violations and address tax evasion and tax avoidance.

Large Tax Debtors Next

The Tax Department plans to extend the sealing measure to businesses with tax debts exceeding €20,000. Authorities have identified 500 businesses that each owe more than €1 million in taxes.

From Jan. 1, 2027, the measure is also expected to cover failures to submit tax returns, VAT returns and withholding tax and contribution declarations. Taxpayers have been given a one-year period to settle outstanding obligations and submit overdue declarations.

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Europe’s Busiest Ports Show The Scale Of Maritime Trade

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 7, 2026

Maritime transport carried roughly 13 billion tonnes of goods worldwide in 2024, highlighting its central role in global trade and supply chains. EU ports handled about 3.4 billion tonnes, or 26% of the global total, while nearly 90% of the bloc’s external freight trade is carried by sea.

Rotterdam And Antwerp-Bruges Lead The EU

Rotterdam was the EU’s busiest port in 2024, handling 397.3 million tonnes of goods. Antwerp-Bruges ranked second with 243.7 million tonnes, putting the two northern European hubs well ahead of the rest.

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Hamburg ranked third at 97 million tonnes, followed by Spain’s Algeciras at 81.5 million tonnes and Amsterdam at 78.8 million tonnes. France’s HAROPA port complex, covering Le Havre and Rouen, handled 76.6 million tonnes, while Gdansk recorded 71 million tonnes.

Marseille and Valencia followed with 66 million and 64.5 million tonnes, respectively. Romania’s Constanta completed the top 10 at 57.6 million tonnes, reflecting the Black Sea’s role in Europe’s wider trade network.

Europe’s Second Tier Of Major Ports

Several ports handled between 40 million and 56 million tonnes in 2024. Barcelona recorded 55.5 million tonnes, followed by Trieste at 53.5 million, Genoa at 47.4 million and Sines at 44.1 million.

Piraeus handled 43.7 million tonnes, while Germany’s Bremerhaven recorded 42.5 million. Sweden’s Göteborg handled 38.5 million tonnes and Dunkerque in France 36.8 million.

Netherlands Leads By National Port Volume

Looking at total cargo across each country’s ports, the Netherlands ranked first with 538.1 million tonnes in 2024. Italy followed with 488.6 million tonnes and Spain with 486 million tonnes, putting all three well ahead of the rest of the EU.

Belgium ranked fourth at 274.9 million tonnes, followed by Germany at 273.9 million and France at 269.8 million. Greece, Sweden and Poland each handled more than 100 million tonnes, showing the breadth of Europe’s maritime network.

Turkey Expands The Regional Picture

Including EU candidate countries and EFTA members puts Turkey in second place with 524.7 million tonnes, behind the Netherlands. Norway ranked eighth with 212.1 million tonnes and handled 212.1 million tonnes.

The European Commission has described maritime transport as a long-standing driver of European economic development. Its role now extends beyond moving cargo, with ports increasingly tied to supply chains, energy security and industrial policy.

In March 2026, the Commission adopted two strategies focused on competitiveness, sustainability, security and resilience across the EU’s waterborne sector, including ports, shipping and shipbuilding.

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