With the Cypriot parliamentary elections just days away, Cypriots will be queueing up to cast their votes; but this won’t only be taking place in Cyprus.
Cypriots can also vote from Greece, the United Kingdom, and Belgium.
Why these countries?
Greece is a fairly obvious choice, with an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Cypriots living in the country. Because of the shared language and deep cultural ties, individuals moving between the two countries is very common.
There are even more in the UK, with an estimated 300,000 to 450,000 Cypriots and people of Cypriot descent. London in particular has a significant Cypriot community.
There are not as many in Belgium; approximately 3,000 to 5,000 Cypriots live there. But because Brussels serves as the capital of the European Union, a significant community of Cypriot diplomats, civil servants, interns, students, and professionals reside there, creating the need for a polling station.
Who is allowed to vote?
To vote in Cypriot elections, you must be an official citizen of the Republic of Cyprus (or an EU citizen for specific local/European elections), be at least 18 years old, and strictly satisfy a historical 6-month residency requirement.
Having Cypriot heritage alone is not enough. You must be legally recognised by the state and have lived on the island.
You do not strictly need a Cypriot passport, but you must hold a valid Republic of Cyprus Identity Card to be registered on the electoral roll.
If you are a lifelong diaspora Cypriot who was born abroad and has never lived in Cyprus for 6 months, you cannot vote.
Voters must proactively apply to the electoral roll through the Ministry of Interior Registration Service. For the upcoming elections, the absolute cutoff to register or alter voting locations was April 2, 2026.
How do I vote abroad?
Below is a clear layout of where to vote in each country and the times that the polling stations are open.
Greece
Voting hours: 07:00–18:00 (local time), with a break from 12:00–13:00.
Athens — Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus, Xenofontos 2A, Athens
Thessaloniki — 2nd General Lyceum of Thessaloniki, Iktinou 5, Thessaloniki
United Kingdom
Voting hours: 08:00–16:00 (local time), with a break from 12:00–12:30.
London — High Commission for the Republic of Cyprus, 13 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LB
London — Cypriot Community Centre, Earlham Grove, Wood Green, London N22 5HJ
Belgium
Voting hours: 08:00–17:00 (local time), with a break from 12:00–13:00.
Brussels — Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the European Union, 61 Avenue de Cortenbergh, 1000 Brussels
There is a record-breaking number of candidates for the upcoming Cypriot parliamentary election on May 24, 2026, with an unprecedented total of 753 candidates officially entering the race.
This means over 700 candidates are competing for just 56 open seats in the House of Representatives.
The 2026 Cypriot parliamentary election is a highly competitive race dominated by the traditional center-right party DISY and the left-wing AKEL, which are closely contesting the top spot but are also up against a rise in popularity from the ultranationalist, far-right party ELAM, currently projected to take an unprecedented third place.
The election will take place this upcoming Sunday, May 24, 2026.
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