Filenews 25 August 2025 - by Vasos Vassiliou
And yet, itinerant people offer massage services and everything related to spas in general, something that caused the submission of a question by MP Nikos Kettiros, who asked the Minister of the Interior for answers regarding the control and legality of such activities.
The MP's information was confirmed, while a gap in the legislation was found (not at all strange) and therefore there is a grey area that some people are exploiting. The... "fruit" is of the last harvest but it seems that there is an increasing trend and local authorities have already issued some permits while others have not been given approvals, although no one knows what happens on each beach and whether this is done legally or illegally.
In addition to the issue of the licensing of these professionals, Mr. Kettiros also raised the issue of compliance with health and professional standards, tax and insurance control, and of course consumer protection as well as the assurance of the quality of the services provided.
Finally, he also raised the issue of the proper functioning of legal businesses in the tourism sector.
The Minister of the Interior, to whom the relevant questions were submitted, informs the MP that spa services, such as massage and related wellness services, are not included in the services provided by the Law, and therefore, their provision on beaches is not explicitly provided for by the above Law.
Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, citing the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, says that some Local Authorities have issued licenses for massage services in the context of street sales.
The minister also informs that individual spa licenses have been granted by the Municipalities of Akamas and Larnaca.
The Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia did not approve permits, however, isolated cases of provision of relevant services in premises within the Beach Protection Zone were observed.
In more detail, the Minister of the Interior's answer also records the following:
– The provision of services on beaches is governed by Article 5C of the Beach Protection Law (Chapter 59), which stipulates that no person may provide services on a beach without the prior permission of the relevant authority. Furthermore, Article 5G of the same Law defines the services that may be offered by the Local Authority or a licensed person. However, spa services, such as massages and related wellness services, are not included in the services provided by the Law, and therefore, their provision on beaches is not explicitly provided for by the above Law.
Notwithstanding the above, according to information received from the Association of Cyprus Municipalities, some Local Authorities have issued licenses for massage services in the context of street sales, based on article 59 of the Municipal Law of 2022 (Law 52(I)/2022), which provides that no person may, within the municipal limits, sell any goods, of any nature, without the permission of the relevant Municipal Council.
However, it should be noted that those provisions of Article 59 relate exclusively to the itinerant sale of goods and not to the provision of services, and therefore do not provide a sufficient legal basis for the licensing of spa services on beaches.
Question 2: Which beaches have been granted a relevant permit for the provision of spa services (massages, treatments, etc.)? Please submit a detailed list by region and municipality.
-Based on relevant information received from coastal Municipalities through the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, the following are listed:
The Municipalities of Amathous, Dromolaxia-Meneou, Ierokipia, Kouri, Limassol, Paphos and Ayia Napa have not issued permits for the provision of spa services on beaches in their area, nor have they detected such activities.
The Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia has not granted licenses for the provision of spa services on beaches in its area. However, individual cases of provision of relevant services to premises within the Beach Protection Zone were perceived, for which issues of control and imposition of measures arose due to competence.
The Municipality of Akamas has issued a license for the provision of massage services on the beach of Coral Bay, which was granted as a license for itinerant sale, based on article 59 of the Municipal Law.
The Municipality of Larnaca has granted licenses for massage services to two persons: one on the seafront of Mackenzie and one on the coastal front of Finikoudes, based on article 59 of the Municipalities Law.
In addition, according to relevant information received through the Union of Communities of Cyprus, from what has been informed by the coastal Communities, no Community Council has issued a license for the provision of massage/spa services on their beaches.
Question 3: What are the control mechanisms in place to ensure the legality and quality of the services provided?
-Based on the data we received from the Municipality of Larnaca, which is the only Municipality that provided relevant information on the permit granting process, those interested in providing massage services submit a relevant application, which is examined and approved by the Health and Cleanliness Committee, and then ratified by the Municipal Council. Applicants must provide all the necessary certificates and documents, which are requested when submitting the application, and are given a relevant letter with terms and conditions.
Furthermore, the quality and legality of the services are ensured through checks carried out at regular intervals by the Municipal Services in order to comply with the rules of hygiene and public health protection. The licenses granted are valid for a specific period of time, from May to October of each year.
Question 4: Is there provision for stricter supervision and cooperation with local authorities or other local bodies to prevent illegal activities?
-The Ministry of the Interior, through the Beach Safety Unit of the Local Government Directorate, is already in consultation with both the Central Committee of Beaches and all the Departments and Services involved for the modernization of the Beach Protection Law (Chapter 59). In this context, it is considered, inter alia, the introduction of clearer and stricter regulations, effectively covering the issue of the provision of services on the beach, including spa services, massages and related wellness services, which are not covered by the existing legal framework.'
