Green Line Regulation

The Green Line Regulation

The whole of Cyprus is part of the European Union, and all Cypriots are in principle entitled to the citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus and thus EU citizenship. However, in the northern part of the island, where the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control, EU legislation is suspended in line with Protocol 10 to the 2003 Act of Accession. This part of Cyprus is home to the Turkish Cypriot community.

Since 1974 the ceasefire line (referred to as the "Green Line") has separated the two parts of the island and thus the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. The line is not an external border of the EU. Council Regulation 866/2004 ("Green Line Regulation") sets out the terms under which persons and goods can cross this line from the non-government-controlled areas into the government-controlled areas.

As the acquis is suspended in the non-government-controlled areas, they are outside the EU's customs and fiscal territory, and outside the EU’s area of freedom, justice and security. The Green Line Regulation ensures that the people that cross to the government-controlled areas are entitled to enter the EU and do not pose a threat to public policy or public security. The goods that cross must conform with EU standards.

Χαλλούμι / Halloumi / Hellim

On 12 April 2021, the Commission adopted an Implementing Regulation that registers the iconic Cypriot cheese Χαλλούμι/Halloumi/Hellim as a EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). From 1 October 2021, only Χαλλούμι/Halloumi/Hellim made by cheesemakers in the island of Cyprus, and which conforms to the requirements of the product specification of the PDO Χαλλούμι/Halloumi/Hellim, can be produced and marketed in the European Union under these names. Under the Regulation, cheesemakers resident anywhere in Cyprus have the right to have their product inspected for PDO compliance by the internationally accredited body Bureau Veritas, which has been appointed as the body in charge of the PDO control tasks. In the Turkish Cypriot community, four producers and 24 dairies had been certified for compliance with the PDO requirements as of end-2024.  

On the same day, the Commission adopted a Decision permitting trade across the Green Line of PDO Χαλλούμι/Halloumi/Hellim from the Turkish Cypriot community on condition that the cheese meets EU animal health and food safety requirements. A system will be established under which the inspections and controls needed to ensure compliance with these requirements in the chain of production of PDO-compliant Halloumi/Hellim will be carried out by an independent control body.

Commission Implementing Regulation registering ‘Χαλλούμι’ (Halloumi)/‘Hellim’ as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

Commission Decision permitting trade in ‘Χαλλούμι’ (Halloumi)/‘Hellim’ across the Green Line subject to conditions

Informal Commission Working Group on Halloumi/Hellim

In 2022, the European Commission established an informal working group on Halloumi/Hellim. The members of the group exchange information and share experience and good practices relating to the implementation of the PDO scheme for Halloumi/Hellim, and they review the functioning of the inspection system for Halloumi/Hellim. The group is composed of up to ten members of whom an equal number is drawn from the Greek Cypriot community and from the Turkish Cypriot community each. Members are individuals appointed to represent a common interest. They can be representatives of different chambers, farmers’ organisations, dairies involved in the production of Halloumi/Hellim, other relevant professional interest groups and civil society organisations. The group meets periodically. 

The first meeting of the Commission Informal Working Group on Halloumi/Hellim was held on 23 September 2022.

Trade in fresh fish

Under Commission Decision 2007/330, independent experts appointed by the Commission conduct regular inspections of fishing vessels in the Turkish Cypriot community to ascertain whether these vessels comply with EU standards.  Fishing vessels which are compliant are authorised to trade their catches across the Green Line. 

The list of vessels that are currently authorised to engage in Green Line trade can be found below:

Bringing Cypriot communities closer together

To pave the way for reunification, EU support aims to bring the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities closer together.

One of the fundamental principles of the EU project is the free movement of people, goods and services across its Member States. As such, the EU set out the rules under which people, goods and services can cross the Green Line in 2004. Have a look at the booklets below to read more about how the Green Line Regulation facilitates people-to-people contact and trade in Cyprus.

Bringing Cypriot communities closer together: EU promotes free movement across Cyprus (English)

Bringing Cypriot communities closer together: EU promotes free movement across Cyprus (Greek)

Bringing Cypriot communities closer together: EU promotes free movement across Cyprus (Turkish)