Does National require an IDP in Cyprus?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
National in Cyprus: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for non-Latin-alphabet licences and where local rules call for one. Business-traveller brand known for Emerald Aisle.
Unusually for the EU, Cyprus drives on the left; visitors can use a valid foreign licence, with an IDP advised for non-Latin-script holders.
In Cyprus specifically, cyprus lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but National still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Rental cars carry red 'Z' plates; an IDP helps non-EU drivers.
National runs a global network; at its Cyprus desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Cyprus drives on the left, uses the EUR, and sets a minimum driving age of 18; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.
What to bring to the National counter in Cyprus
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the EUR deposit; Cyprus drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Cyprus National renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Seatbelts mandatory; no phone use while driving.
- 0.05% alcohol limit; 0.02% for new drivers.
- Speed limits in km/h.
National's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
The minimum age to rent is typically 21 (18 in Michigan and New York, as required by state law); renters aged 21-24 pay a "Youthful Surcharge" of approximately $25 per day (varies by location, lower in some states such as $5/day in New York) and may be restricted to certain car classes.
A major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) in the primary renter's name with sufficient available credit is required; National generally does not accept debit cards, and renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary must provide a hold/deposit typically between $300 and $400 depending on location and vehicle class.
The renter's spouse or domestic partner who meets the same age and licence requirements drives free; other additional authorized drivers cost about $15 per day (typically $5/day in New York), and must be at least 21 with a valid licence. National requires a valid, unexpired full driver's licence held by the renter; for under-25 drivers some locations require the licence to have been held for at least one year, though National does not publish a uniform minimum tenure across all locations.
Vehicles rented in the U.S. or Canada are prohibited from being driven into Mexico; U.S.-Canada cross-border travel is generally permitted but one-way US/Canada drop-offs are limited to participating locations, and rentals originating in certain Mexican cities (e.g. Tijuana, Mexicali, Hermosillo, Monterrey, Saltillo) may cross into the U.S. after purchasing an extension of liability protection (about $10 USD/day).
National states that an International Driving Permit (IDP) is commonly requested in select countries and is generally recommended when travelling abroad; specifically, overseas travelers whose licence uses a non-Roman alphabet may need to present an IDP alongside their home-country licence.
Once you collect the keys in Cyprus
Cyprus has no toll roads or vignette system - all motorways, including the A1 Nicosia-Limassol and routes to Paphos and Larnaca, are free to use.
Town centres use metered/paid parking (often EUR 1-2 per hour, typically free evenings and Sundays) and pay-and-display lots; a double yellow line on the kerb means no parking at any time. Municipal parking fines are issued separately from police fines.
A fixed camera network (with about a 5 km/h tolerance) posts speeding fines to the registered keeper, usually payable within 30 days; phone use and no seatbelt also carry fines plus penalty points. Rental companies forward camera fines to the renter, and drivers can reach 16 points before a court hearing.
Drive on the LEFT here. Call 112 for emergencies and report the accident to the police; for any injury, or where drivers disagree on fault, wait for police - do not move vehicles until they attend, and exchange details and photograph the scene.
Full driving guide for Cyprus →