Alcohol Laws in North Cyprus: Drinking Age, Opening Hours, Hotels and Drink-Driving

In short: in North Cyprus (TRNC), alcohol can't be sold to anyone under 18. Turkey's ban on shop sales after 10pm isn't a rule that applies in the TRNC. Whether you can bring your own drinks into your hotel is up to the hotel. This page is a practical summary for visitors to the Bafra Tourism Zone (İskele, North Cyprus) and the rest of the north of the island. It isn't legal advice. Laws can change, so check anything you need to be sure about with an official source.

Under the TRNC's Alcoholic Drinks Sales Law, alcohol may not be sold to anyone under 18, as reported in the local press (Kıbrıs Postası, in Turkish). The legislation itself can be found on the TRNC Courts and TRNC Parliament websites (in Turkish). That's why Jastin Off Licence checks age in store and on delivery and asks for ID when needed. As in the UK, if no ID can be shown, no alcohol is sold.

The rule banning shop sales of alcohol between 22:00 and 06:00 in Turkey is Turkish legislation, based on Law No. 4250 (mevzuat.gov.tr). The TRNC has a separate legal system and that rule doesn't apply here. A shop's opening hours depend on its own licence conditions. Jastin Off Licence's Bafra branch is open Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–02:00 (Monday 09:00–00:00) and our Famagusta (Gazimağusa) branch every day 09:00–00:00. If you want to know about a specific time restriction, check with an official source.

There's no general law on this; it's a matter of hotel policy. Common practice at the big resorts in Bafra:

• Drinks bought outside are usually fine to enjoy in your room.
• Bringing outside drinks to shared areas such as the pool, beach, restaurant or bar is often not allowed.
• Courier deliveries go to the lobby or reception rather than to your room.

Ask reception about your hotel's rules when you check in. For how delivery works in practice, see alcohol delivery to Bafra hotels.

If we can't be sure a customer is 18 or over, at the till or on delivery, we'll ask for ID. A passport, ID card or driving licence is fine. For hotel deliveries, the person collecting must also be over 18. If it looks as though an adult is buying on behalf of a child, we may refuse the sale. It's not about mistrust; it's our legal responsibility.

In North Cyprus, local council rules, signage and venue rules may apply to drinking in public places. Hotel beaches follow the hotel's rules; public beaches follow those of the council or operator. If there's a sign, follow it. Don't take glass bottles onto the beach, take your rubbish home and be considerate of others. For a definite answer about a specific place, ask the local council or the venue.

North Cyprus has a legal drink-drive limit and the police carry out breathalyser checks. Some guide websites quote different figures, so we don't give a number here; check the current limit and penalties with the TRNC Police (Polis Genel Müdürlüğü). Hire car agreements can be stricter about alcohol and may affect your insurance. The safest rule: if you've been drinking, don't drive. Get a taxi or have your drinks delivered.

• Currency: North Cyprus uses the Turkish lira, but we also accept pounds sterling and euros in cash. See paying in pounds, euros or by card.
• Shop names: just like at home, a shop selling alcohol is usually called an "off licence" here, and you'll see the words on shop signs.
• Customs: UK duty-free allowances for alcohol and tobacco apply when you fly home. Details in our guide to duty-free allowances from North Cyprus.

At Green Line crossings there are separate per-person limits for alcohol and cigarettes, and some tobacco products can't be taken across at all. Current limits and source links are on our duty-free allowances page.

Last reviewed: September 2026. This page is for information only and is not legal advice.