Updated: June 16, 2024
To obtain a divorce in Cyprus, you need to apply to the District Family Court to get a date for the application hearing. The application will be forwarded to your spouse. The divorce may be issued in two months if the application is not contested. If you had a religious ceremony, you must notify the bishop (for Christian Orthodox) or your religious leader (for other religions).
The divorce lawyers of our firm can file a divorce petition (dissolution of marriage) for a civil or religious marriage that has taken place in Cyprus or internationally, with the requirement that any of the spouses is living in Cyprus for at least 3 months.
An essential requirement for issuing a divorce in Cyprus is knowing the other spouse's address (either their work or home address) so that the papers of the divorce can be served through a bailiff. It is not significant if the applicant was married in Cyprus or abroad.
Whether the wedding took place in Cyprus or abroad if one of the spouses lives in Cyprus for at least three months, the Family Court has jurisdiction to dissolve the marriage. Dissolving a civil marriage at a District Family Court, especially if the spouses agree on the divorce, is one of the most straightforward procedures. The only documents required to be presented to the court are the marriage certificate and an affidavit from the divorce applicant.
When both parties agree, the time needed to receive the divorce papers in a civil marriage is about one month and a half or less, depending on the individual circumstances of each case.
The party against whom the divorce will be filed is the “respondent” in terms of the procedure. The spouse who files the petition for divorce in Cyprus is the “applicant”. Once the divorce lawyer files the petition, the Court sets a specific date for the first hearing.
At the same time, the divorce petition has to be served to the other spouse, “the respondent,” so that he/she is present at the hearing. Or he/she can appoint a divorce lawyer to defend the petition. The “respondent” also has the right not to appear at the first hearing. The divorce will be issued in his/her absence by the procedure led by the “applicant”. If the respondent appears at the first hearing and objects to the divorce, the divorce procedure will take much time to complete.
The fastest way to issue a divorce is when the “respondent” does not appear at the first hearing. If the “respondent” does not appear at the District Family Court, the divorce case will be set for proof in approximately a week.
The divorce cases take place at the District Family Court of Limassol every Wednesday at the moment. When the case is set for proof, the divorce lawyer, following the facts told by the “applicant”, will prepare an affidavit for the applicant. It will be filed on the day the divorce case is set for its second hearing (when the “respondent” does not appear on the first hearing).
After filing the affidavit, the lawyer will appear at the hearing, presenting the affidavit of the “applicant”. If all requirements are met (such as serving the documents to the “respondent” through a valid method, such as bailiff if he/she lives in Cyprus or DHL), the divorce will be issued on the same day. Then, it takes a few days to receive the certificate of divorce.
To conclude, divorce in Cyprus, where the District Family Court has jurisdiction, can be both simple and complicated, depending on the facts of each case. Our divorce lawyers can assist you with your requests and offer you one free first consultation at our office or through e-mail.
The divorce can be issued against the “respondent” due to the serious breakdown of the relationship, which is a reason that refers to both spouses.
If the “applicant” wants to blame the “respondent” for the dissolution of the marriage, he/she can refer to the following legal grounds of divorce:
When the marriage is dissolved, and the certificate of divorce is issued, then if one of the ex-spouses cannot secure his or her income or property, he/she shall be entitled to claim maintenance from the other if one of the following requirements is met:
If the ex-spouses have minor child/children, they should file another two petitions, one for the maintenance and one for the custody of the child/children.
If the ex-spouses have gained property or increased their assets during the marriage or before marriage for the purposes of marriage, they should file another petition at the Court in case they do not agree to share their property/assets with the other spouse.
Cyprus law provides that if the marriage is dissolved, or if the spouses are separated (before receiving divorce), and the property of one spouse is increased, the other spouse if he/she has contributed in any way to the increase, has the right to bring a claim to the Court of Justice and to request the return of his/her part of the increase that comes from his/her contribution.
Cyprus doesn’t have the terms divorce by mutual consent or divorce agreement, and pre-nuptial agreements are not recognised.
However, with new (2023) developments in the law, the rule on consent has somewhat been relaxed. If both parties agree on the issuance of the divorce, they can file the divorce papers at the District Family Court. The reason for the divorce will be a serious breakdown of the relationship because both parties consider that they should divorce. If the “respondent” does not appear on the first hearing of the divorce, then the divorce will be issued very soon after the hearing.
Before applying to the District Family Court on this ground, the parties must arrange all matters relating to the children by court order and submit a copy of the court order to the District Family Court.
It is only possible to file for divorce because of breakdown/ consent six months after the marriage.
In Cyprus, marriage happens through a civil marriage. Most parties, however, also have a church wedding. In such a case, the civil divorce must be preceded by a church procedure.
Following amendments (2023) to the law, the procedure is as follows:
Parties from religions other than the Greek Christian Orthodox, who took a marriage ceremony in that other religion, will carry out the same procedure with their religious leader.
If you have been married in Cyprus or abroad and your spouse has been living in Cyprus for at least 3 months, you can file a divorce petition. The procedure cannot be executed online, but civil marriage lawyers can receive directions from you online through e-mail/video calls to start the divorce procedure. They will then serve the divorce papers to the spouse who lives in Cyprus. There are two requirements to begin this process of divorce which are the following:
Thus, if the above requirements are met, you can receive a divorce from Cyprus, which will be valid internationally, no matter where you are.
Our firm provides specialised legal advice on all family law matters. Please contact us for further details.
How long does a divorce take in Cyprus?
A divorce in Cyprus typically takes around two months if uncontested. If contested by the spouse, the duration extends, depending on the complexity of the case.
Can I stay in Cyprus after the divorce?
Yes, you can remain in Cyprus after divorcing a Cypriot citizen. To do so, you'll need to apply for a residence permit. This is contingent on the marriage having lasted a significant period, shared legal and financial commitments with your spouse, and a clean immigration record.
How do I get divorced if I got married in Cyprus?
To initiate a divorce after marrying in Cyprus, apply to the District Family Court. If uncontested, the process may take about two months.
For contested cases, a trial will ensue, prolonging the process. For religious marriages, notify the bishop through https://pnevmatikilysi.cy.net/, attend a conciliation meeting, and, if necessary, apply for religious dissolution.
This dissolution becomes final after 30 days, after which you can proceed with the District Family Court.
How much is alimony in Cyprus?
Alimony in Cyprus is not set at a fixed amount. It is calculated according to your circumstances and needs and covers necessary maintenance.
You have a right to alimony provided that 1) you are of an age or health condition that you cannot perform adequate work to earn a living, or 2) you are caring for underage child(ren) or adult child(ren) with a physical or mental disability, or, 3) you cannot find a job or need training to do so, in which case you will receive alimony for three years, or, 4) for reasons of fairness or other circumstances showing need.
The court can stop, reduce, or adjust the alimony payments if circumstances require it. If necessary, interim alimony payments may be ordered (payments during divorce). Alimony may not be given if the marriage is short or the applicant has exhibited severely blameworthy behaviour.
Alimony is paid monthly. If the payer has a 13th and 14th salary, there can be 13th and 14th payments.
What is the cost of a divorce in Cyprus?
The cost of a divorce in Cyprus typically includes government filing fees of approximately €200 and legal fees. For a mutually agreed divorce where both spouses are in Cyprus, the average legal fee is around €800 plus VAT and expenses.
George K. Konstantinou
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