Filenews 29 September 2025 - by Michalis Chatzivasilis
The data is changing with tattoo and piercing artists, since four years after the regulation of the anarchy that existed, the legislation is amended to facilitate the implementation of its provisions and to regulate pending issues.
The tattoo and piercing workshops, i.e. tattoos and surgery on the human body, i.e. piercing, will now become surgeries, since they will have to have all kinds of sterilization, their operation in homes will be prohibited, artists will have to hold a diploma, while they will be tested for Aids, hepatitis and syphilis. The profession is also opening up with events by tattoo and piercing artists in open spaces, while mobile workshops are now allowed with permission. Penalties are provided for violations of the license with the right to suspend operation.
The bill prepared by the Ministry of Health and submitted for public consultation makes significant amendments to the "Law (L.20(I)/2021) that Provides for the Registration of Dermatologists and Body Piercers and for Related Issues". According to the Ministry, the necessity to amend the law arose after four years of experience in its implementation, during which the need to improve the provisions of the law in order to make the implementation of the existing legal framework effective was highlighted.
The main amendments introduced are:
>> Enhancing legal clarity by introducing new interpretations (such as 'competent authority', 'event', 'mobile workshop', 'special temporary authorisation') and others, to facilitate interpretation and more effective application of the law.
>> Arrangement of tattoo or body piercing workshop areas with improved provisions.
>> Update of sanitary and technical specifications.
>> Strengthening supervision and control for the purpose of protecting public health.
>> Revision of the conditions for practicing the profession of leathermaker or body penetrator, with the possibility of alternative forms of documentation of their professional training.
>> Simplification of laboratory licensing procedures.
>> Harmonization with European Regulations and national legislations, e.g. on issues of infectious waste management, access for people with disabilities and protection of personal data.
>> Introduction of provisions for the regulation of the operation of mobile laboratories, the organization of events and the work of guest professionals from abroad, in Cyprus.
>> Reorganization and modernization of the registers, with the abolition of the Register of Trainees and the creation of a single digital register with sub-registries.
>> Determination of fees, through an Annex, for the examination of various applications, such as operating licenses and other administrative procedures.
According to the bill, a special temporary permit will be provided by the competent Authority upon application of a licensed tattooing or body piercing workshop and which allows a citizen of a member state of the European Union, who legally practices the profession of tattoo maker or body piercer in another member state, to provide services within the Republic for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days per calendar year.
It will also be allowed to organize an event or meeting in an open space, during which tattoo and/or body piercing artists offer their services to the public, either for a fee or free of charge, in a space specially designed for this purpose, with the aim of promoting the art of tattooing and/or body piercing.
A mobile laboratory is also provided for the provision of tattooing or body piercing services. This means a means of transport, portable, mobile or temporary construction/commercial scheme (e.g. caravan, mobile kiosk, mobile structures, self-propelled vehicle, trailer, etc.) used to provide these services, outdoors or at public events.
Instead of the one registry that exists today, we will have four that will concern the approved tattoo and body piercing workshops as well as registered tattooists and body piercers.
Not in tattoo homes
The bill prohibits the use of a home or auxiliaries as a tattoo or body piercing workshop. In case of submission of a relevant complaint or if there is reliable information about it, a file with all available information is prepared by the Superintendent of Control, which is forwarded to the Police, with a request for police escort of the authorized inspectors in order to investigate the information on the spot and take the necessary measures to end the illegal activity.
The organization of any tattooing or body piercing event or similar activity in a public or private place is prohibited, unless written permission has been obtained by the competent Authority, in accordance with the terms and conditions set by it, following the recommendation of the Registrar. In order to issue a license, the organizer of the event is required to submit an application to the competent Authority and pay the legal fee.
In the event that an inspector of the Ministry of Health, in the exercise of the powers granted to him, finds that serious health deficiencies, omissions or conditions have arisen or prevail in the laboratory that could endanger the health of customers, staff or public health, he will be able to impose the suspension of the operation of the laboratory, for a period not exceeding four days, with the possibility of extending, for one or more times, a duration of four days or less, for the execution of improvements and/or disinfections. It is understood that the owner or the person in charge of the laboratory must, at the time when the suspension of the operation of his laboratory is in force, take all appropriate actions to remove the reasons for which the suspension of the works was imposed.
Tests from HIV to syphilis
Licensed tattoo and piercing artists should hold a certificate for screening for Hepatitis B & C, for HIV and for syphilis (VDRL or RPR), as well as a chest X-ray. They must also be at least 20 years of age, have a clean criminal record and not have been convicted under the Child Pornography Act.
It is further provided that if the application concerns tattooing, the applicant must hold a diploma from a recognized school of higher education or a degree from a university institution in Cyprus or abroad, in a field related to the subject of the application and a certificate of internship lasting one (1) year as a trainee tattooist, from a registered tattoo maker in a licensed tattoo parlour, or: Certificate of education of 90 hours of regular study, either from an institution certified as a Vocational Training Center by the Human Resource Development Authority, or from recognized schools of higher education and/or from recognized higher education institutions in Cyprus as well as a certificate of eighteen (18) months of internship as a trainee tattooist, from a registered tattoo artist in a licensed tattoo workshop.
