A major step towards enhancing water safety in Cyprus was taken this week, as parliament passed new legislation modernising the rules for the licensing and operation of swimming pools across the country. The initiative, led by the Interior Ministry, aims to prevent accidents and drownings by setting out clearer, stricter requirements for different types of pools.
The new law replaces the outdated 1992 Public Swimming Pools Law and accompanying 1996 regulations. It introduce- for the first time- a detailed classification system dividing pools into three categories: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Each category is subject to distinct safety, hygiene, and licensing obligations, including the number of lifeguards required and the standards for maintenance and operation.
According to the Interior Ministry, the legislation addresses key implementation issues that had plagued the previous law, particularly the lack of distinction between public and private pools. That gap often made compliance either technically impossible or prohibitively expensive for many operators.
With the new system in place, many pools- especially smaller or privately managed ones- will now fall into the less demanding Type 3 category. These pools will be subject to random inspections rather than routine nationwide checks, easing the regulatory burden while still maintaining oversight.
Importantly, the law now clearly separates operational standards from construction requirements. The operational framework is covered by this legislation and its associated regulations, while a separate set of rules governing construction will be introduced under the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law.
The Interior Ministry emphasised that the legislation forms part of a broader governmental strategy to enhance water safety in Cyprus, placing strong focus on accident prevention and public protection in aquatic environments.
Also read: Lifeguard shortages in Limassol raise safety concerns
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