The UK Foreign Office has issued updated travel guidance for Cyprus, citing a 'heightened risk of regional tension' linked to the ongoing political crisis in Iran. While the popular Mediterranean holiday island remains hundreds of miles from the epicentre of the unrest, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has revised its advice for British nationals.
What is the UK Government's Updated Advice for Cyprus?
On Wednesday 14 January 2026, the FCDO published new guidance for travellers to Cyprus. It stated that escalation in regional tensions could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts. The advice urges British nationals to 'take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances'.
Recommended precautions include reading the government's crisis information page for guidance on preparing for civil unrest, signing up for FCDO travel email alerts, and closely monitoring local and international media. The FCDO also advises travellers to stay away from security or military facilities and follow instructions from local authorities.
This same advisory has been extended to British nationals in numerous other countries in the region, including the UAE, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.
Can I Cancel My Holiday or Claim on Insurance?
As the FCDO has not advised against all but essential travel to Cyprus, the situation does not automatically trigger special cancellation rights for a full refund. Your ability to cancel or postpone will depend entirely on the terms and conditions of your specific holiday provider.
Travel insurance policies are unlikely to cover cancellations due to safety concerns unless the FCDO advice changes to explicitly warn against travel. Some policies may include cover for events that prevent you from reaching your destination, so it is crucial to check your policy details and speak directly to your insurer.
What Are My Rights If My Flight is Cancelled?
Flights to and from Larnaca airport in Cyprus were operating normally on Wednesday and Thursday, largely unaffected by a temporary airspace closure over Iran. However, if your flight is cancelled, your rights are protected under UK law if you are departing from a UK airport on any airline, or arriving in the UK on a UK or EU airline.
Airlines are legally obligated to provide care and assistance, which includes offering food and drink vouchers, means of communication, and accommodation with transport if you are rebooked on a flight the next day. Passengers can choose between an alternative flight or a full refund.
You may also be eligible for compensation if you received less than 14 days' notice, unless the cancellation was due to 'extraordinary circumstances' outside the airline's control, such as political unrest or strikes.
The backdrop to this updated advice is severe political instability in Iran. Following currency instability, nationwide protests have escalated. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on Wednesday that it had confirmed more than 2,600 deaths and 18,470 arrests, though information remains limited due to an internet blackout.
In response to the crisis, the UK has closed its embassy in Tehran, withdrawn staff from Iran and a military base in Qatar, and is now operating remotely in the country.
