Following two decades of advocacy and legal uncertainty, Cyprus has formally enacted the Swimming Pools Law of 2025. This landmark legislation introduces a tiered classification system that replaces the outdated “one-size-fits-all” approach, significantly easing the regulatory burden on residential complexes while establishing modern safety and hygiene protocols.
Management committees and property owners must act quickly, as the deadline for full compliance and registration for existing pools is January 25, 2026.
The Three-Tier Classification System
The new law categorizes pools based on their risk profile and usage, moving away from treating small apartment pools as high-risk public facilities.
| Category | Description | Primary Requirements |
| Type 1 | Public & High-Risk (Water parks, municipal pools) | Strict: Annual license, mandatory lifeguards, regular inspections. |
| Type 2 | Business-Related (Hotels, spas, campsites) | Strict: Annual license, professional safety supervisors, commercial hygiene. |
| Type 3 | Shared-Use Residential (Complexes with >5 units) | Moderate: Notification to authorities, designated manager, no lifeguard. |
| Exempt | Small Private/Shared (Serving ≤5 units) | Minimal: Recommended hygiene/safety guidelines only. |
Focus on Type 3: Rules for Apartment Complexes
Type 3 pools, common in Cyprus’s residential developments, no longer require a full operating license or a lifeguard. However, they must meet specific operational and safety standards:
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Accountability: A “Swimming Pool Manager” must be appointed. This person is legally responsible for safety, cleanliness, and compliance.
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Qualified Operator: The manager must designate a Pool Operator (who can be the manager themselves) who is at least 21 years old, has secondary education, and a clean criminal record.
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Safety Equipment: Mandatory gear includes rescue poles, life rings, a first-aid kit, and clearly posted emergency contact information and safety signage.
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Notification: While no annual license is needed, owners must notify the competent authority (Municipality or District Office) before starting or permanently ending operations.
Rigid Water Quality & Maintenance Standards
To ensure public health, the 2025 regulations mandate strict technical parameters for all shared pools (Type 1, 2, and 3):
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Biological Safety: Monthly microbiological testing by an accredited laboratory is compulsory.
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Chemical Balance: pH must stay between 7.2 and 8.0, with total alkalinity between 80–120 mg/L.
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Transparency: Water must be visibly clear (meeting the Secchi disc standard).
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Filtration: Continuous water circulation is required during use, with a full renewal time of 4 hours for existing residential pools.
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Daily Logs: Chlorination levels must be checked at least 3 times daily and recorded in an official logbook.
Requirements for Non-Operational and Private Pools
The law also addresses safety for pools not currently in use. All owners, regardless of pool type, must:
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Securely fence the pool area and use a safety cover.
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Drain accumulated water to prevent mosquito breeding and accidental drowning.
For private pools (serving 5 or fewer units), the regulations transition from “mandatory” to “recommended.” While these owners are not subject to staffing or permit requirements, they are legally expected to follow general public health laws and maintain basic rescue equipment.
Source: Property News Cyprus