Cyprus sits at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, where centuries of trade and migration have shaped daily life, law and public signage. Language here reflects that mix, appearing in courts, schools and road signs across the island.
There are 2 Official Languages in Cyprus, ranging from Greek to Turkish. For each, you’ll find below entries organized by Official status,Legal basis,Where used so you can quickly compare how each language functions in practice — you’ll find below the detailed list.
Which language is used by government bodies and in official documents?
Both Greek and Turkish are designated in the 1960 Constitution as official languages, so they appear in legislation and certain official contexts. In practice, Greek is dominant in the Republic of Cyprus’s institutions, while Turkish is used in Turkish Cypriot communities and the north; official use can therefore vary by area.
How can I tell which language to expect when visiting different parts of Cyprus?
Expect Greek on public signs, services and schools in the south and Turkish in the north and Turkish Cypriot areas; many people also speak English, especially in urban and tourist areas. Check the “Where used” column below for precise contexts.
Official Languages in Cyprus
| Language | Official status | Legal basis | Where used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greek | De jure official | Republic of Cyprus Constitution, Art. 3 (1960); recognized as official language of Cyprus in EU contexts | Republic of Cyprus (government-controlled southern areas): administration, courts, education; used in most public services and by EU institutions for Cypriot matters |
| Turkish | De jure official; regional official (Northern Cyprus) | Republic of Cyprus Constitution, Art. 3 (1960); TRNC constitution and laws establish Turkish as official in the north | Northern Cyprus (Turkish Cypriot administration/TRNC): administration, courts, schools; constitutionally named for the Republic but rarely used in south |
Images and Descriptions
Greek
Greek is one of the Republic’s two constitutionally official languages, written in the Greek script. It’s the primary administrative, educational and judicial language in government-controlled (southern) Cyprus and an official EU language for Cyprus, used in most public services.
Turkish
Turkish is the other language named in the 1960 Constitution and is the official language of the Turkish Cypriot administration (north). Written in Latin script, it’s used in northern administration, courts and schools; in the south it remains constitutionally official but is rarely used.
