The more traffic fines issued through Cyprus’s speed camera system, the more money the Cypriot company managing it earns from the state, MPs discovered during a budget debate.
The government must pay additional credits to the company for the commission it receives on each violation reported, according to details that emerged during the discussion of the 2025 supplementary budget at the Parliamentary Finance Committee.
The budget provides for additional spending of €229.9 million.
AKEL MPs Aristos Damianou and Andreas Kafkalias requested further clarification on a €3.9 million allocation for the Transport Ministry.
According to the Finance Ministry’s explanatory note, the allocation provides additional credits to cover costs from operating the speed camera system and expenses for running the photo radar list software.
A Finance Ministry representative said the €3.9 million includes payment to the speed camera company, noting that under the agreement the state pays commission for violations issued under the Road Traffic Code.
The statement provoked a strong reaction from MPs, who argued that during discussion of the matter at the Transport Committee, they had been assured the company did not receive commission from the violations.
Criticism over airport software for unpaid fines
MP Aristos Damianou also expressed dissatisfaction because the allocation includes installing software at Larnaca and Paphos airports to identify passengers with unpaid fines to the state, who would be barred from leaving Cyprus.
He said the Legal Affairs Committee had called on the Transport Ministry not to proceed with the project, but it went ahead through the 2025 state budget amendment.
Through the new system, police will serve undelivered out-of-court fines issued against citizens at the Republic’s entry and exit points—airports, ports and checkpoints—in cases where they were not received by post or from the process server.
Police will specifically serve fines from traffic cameras to drivers not previously located at these points. MPs had pointed out that only with a court warrant can someone stop passengers at airports and ports to serve fines.
For both matters, the Finance Ministry will send additional information, whilst representatives from the Justice and Transport Ministries will attend the next Finance Committee session.
Supplementary budget creates new posts
A supplementary budget will be tabled in Parliament on Thursday, providing for the creation of 153 new posts and the abolition of an equal number of existing posts. The posts will mainly concern the National Guard and the Civil Defence Directorate.
According to the Finance Ministry, the 2025 supplementary budget, which has already been approved by the Council of Ministers, is fiscally neutral.