On November 6, the Parliament of Cyprus voted to approve an amendment to the national vehicle inspection law, officially raising the fees for technical checks on private cars (category M1 — up to eight seats excluding the driver) and light commercial vehicles (category N1 — with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons).
The decision passed with a clear majority — 40 votes in favor and only one against.
Under the new regulation, the inspection fee will increase to €43 at private testing centers (ΙΚΤΕΟ) and €46 at state-run centers (ΚΕΜΟ). The last time Cyprus adjusted these fees was back in 2007, meaning the update comes after more than 17 years of stable rates.
Member of Parliament Marinos Moushiouttas from the DIPA-Cooperation party, who proposed a key amendment to the bill, explained that the new tariffs were the result of consensus between the government, vehicle inspection operators, and industry representatives. According to him, the updated fees better reflect the real operational costs of inspection centers — including maintenance of modern equipment, salaries for skilled technicians, and compliance with updated safety and environmental standards.
The new law also introduces a clause requiring a review of inspection fees every eight years to ensure that prices remain fair and aligned with economic conditions. However, Moushiouttas emphasized that the government retains the right to revise the fees earlier if inflation or other market changes justify such action.
MP Chrisantos Savvides from the Democratic Party (DIKO) noted that the proposal had been discussed repeatedly by the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and described the decision as “a step in the right direction.” He added that the increase would help improve service quality, modernize inspection facilities, and enhance transparency in vehicle safety assessments.
The only opposing vote came from Andreas Themistokleous, an independent MP from Limassol, who expressed concern that the fee increase could negatively affect low-income vehicle owners, particularly amid rising fuel and maintenance costs. Despite this opposition, the motion passed comfortably.
The Ministry of Transport will soon announce the exact date when the new inspection fees will take effect.
The official implementation date will be published either in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus or via a ministry circular. Until then, the previous rates will remain in force.
Importantly, the VAT rate will remain unchanged. The left-wing party AKEL had proposed reducing the tax to offset the higher inspection costs for motorists, but this suggestion was not included in the final version of the legislation.
This price adjustment has been under discussion for several years, with authorities citing the need to modernize the vehicle inspection system across Cyprus. The additional revenue from the increased fees is expected to fund upgrades to both private and state inspection centers, including the installation of advanced diagnostic equipment and the digitalization of administrative processes.
Officials are also exploring the introduction of an online appointment and payment system integrated with the national “Cyprus Vehicle Registry,” allowing drivers to schedule inspections, track upcoming due dates, and pay service fees more conveniently.
Industry experts believe the new rates will have a limited financial impact on most drivers but will significantly improve the overall quality and consistency of technical inspections. This, in turn, is expected to enhance road safety, reduce the number of unsafe vehicles in circulation, and contribute to lower emissions.
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