Cyprus
Nicosia
Current time
Monday, June 22, 2026
- Capital
- Nicosia
- Time zone
- Asia/Nicosia
- UTC offset
- UTC+3
- DST
- DST
Cyprus operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC+2 during standard time and UTC+3 during daylight saving time (DST). The entire country follows the same time zone, Asia/Nicosia, including the capital Nicosia. DST begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October, aligning with most European countries. This consistency simplifies scheduling for business and travel within Cyprus and with neighboring regions like Greece and Turkey.
Time Zone and Daylight Saving
Cyprus uses Eastern European Time (EET), UTC+2, during standard time and switches to Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), UTC+3, during daylight saving. The transition occurs on the last Sunday in March (clocks move forward) and the last Sunday in October (clocks move back). This aligns Cyprus with most EU countries, facilitating smoother cross-border coordination for business and travel.
When planning meetings with Cyprus, note its time difference to major hubs: it’s 1 hour ahead of Central Europe (CET) during winter, 7 hours ahead of New York (EST), and 6 hours behind Beijing (CST). During DST, the gap narrows to 6 hours ahead of New York (EDT). Cyprus shares its time zone with Greece, Bulgaria, and parts of the Middle East, making scheduling straightforward within these regions.
Practical Considerations
Business hours in Cyprus typically run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a midday break common in smaller towns. For international calls, mornings (9:00 AM–12:00 PM EET) often overlap with European and Middle Eastern work hours. Avoid scheduling calls late Friday afternoon, as many businesses close early ahead of the weekend.
Public holidays like Easter and Christmas follow the Orthodox calendar in some sectors, potentially affecting office hours. During Ramadan, Muslim-majority areas in Cyprus may adjust working hours, though the national time zone remains unchanged. Always confirm local schedules when planning critical engagements.
FAQ
- Does Cyprus observe daylight saving time?
- Yes, Cyprus follows DST from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, shifting from UTC+2 to UTC+3.
- What is the time difference between Cyprus and the UK?
- Cyprus is 2 hours ahead of the UK (GMT) during standard time and 3 hours ahead during British Summer Time (BST).
- Are there multiple time zones in Cyprus?
- No, the entire country uses Asia/Nicosia (EET/EEST), including Nicosia and all regions.