Public shelters in Cyprus: how many, and how to find yours

Short answer. Cyprus has a network of Civil Defence public shelters, mostly in existing basements made available by private owners since 1999 ¹. After inspections of the 2,480 listed shelters in March 2026, 194 were struck off and 288 became private-use only; the government says population coverage rose from 30% to about 45% ². Find yours with the SafeCY app or by phoning Civil Defence ³⁴.

How many public shelters does Cyprus have?

Before the March 2026 inspection, 2,480 shelters were listed ². After the inspection, 194 were declassified as unsuitable or no longer existing, and 288 were changed to private use for owners and tenants only ². No updated total has been published ².

The Minister of Interior said on 11 March 2026 that, with a shift to large public underground spaces such as car parks and the basements of churches, supermarkets and hotels, coverage had already risen "from 30% to about 45%" of the population ².

How was the network built?

The shelter programme started in 1999 ¹. Because of the cost, the state chose to convert existing basements, with the owners' consent, rather than build underground shelters in open areas ¹. The shelters are run by the Cyprus Civil Defence Force under the Ministry of Interior ².

In March 2026 the Ministry of Interior acknowledged gaps found by the Audit Office and said the SafeCY app, developed in 2024, needed improvement ⁵.

How do I find my nearest shelter?

• SafeCY app (Android and iOS, Greek and English): search by current location, address or postal code; live since 14 June 2025 ⁴.
• By phone: the Civil Defence Operations Control Centre on 22 403 451 or 22 403 452 ³.

Look up the shelters near home, work and school in advance.

What do shelters protect against?

Civil Defence shelters protect against explosions and fragments ⁶. Stays are short, until the danger passes, and you should not leave without instructions from the authorities ³.

What if there is no shelter nearby?

Stay indoors in a basement, an underground car park or a room with solid walls, away from windows, doors and glass ⁶³. Our air-raid alert guide and shelter or evacuate guide give general background.

What should I bring?

ID or basic documents, water, dry food and baby food, first-aid supplies, essential and prescribed medicines, a torch, a small portable radio and batteries ⁶; Civil Defence also mentions important documents and a little money ³. See the kit checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Is my building's basement a public shelter?

Only if it is on the Civil Defence list. Since March 2026, 288 former public shelters in private basements are for owners and tenants only ². Check SafeCY or call 22 403 451 / 22 403 452 ³⁴.

Can I stay in a shelter for days?

Civil Defence describes shelter stays as short, until the danger passes ³.

Why can't SafeCY find a shelter near me?

Coverage is about 45% of the population ². If no shelter is close, use a basement, underground car park or a room with solid walls away from glass ⁶³.

Are new shelters being added?

Since March 2026 developers can get a 5% building-coefficient bonus if part of a basement in a new or already approved development is made available to Civil Defence as a shelter ². See build a shelter.

Sources

1. Cyprus Civil Defence — Refuge — https://www.gov.cy/moi-cd/en/documents/refuge/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών — Δηλώσεις του Υπουργού Εσωτερικών κ. Κωνσταντίνου Ιωάννου για τα καταφύγια, τις αποφάσεις του Υπουργικού Συμβουλίου και την εφαρμογή SafeCY — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/diloseis-tou-ypourgou-esoterikon-k-konstantinou-ioannou-gia-ta-katafygia-tis-apofaseis-tou-ypourgikou-symvouliou-kai-tin-efarmogi-safecy/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
3. Δύναμη Πολιτικής Άμυνας — Ενέργειες Δύναμης Πολιτικής Άμυνας στην περιοχή Ακρωτηρίου — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/energeies-dynamis-politikis-amynas-stin-periochi-akrotiriou/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
4. Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών — Ενεργοποίηση εφαρμογής «SafeCY» για εντοπισμό του πλησιέστερου καταφυγίου Πολιτικής Άμυνας — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/energopoiisi-efarmogis-safecy-gia-entopismo-tou-plisiesterou-katafygiou-politikis-amynas/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
5. Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών — Τοποθέτηση Υπουργείου Εσωτερικών για την Έκθεση της Ελεγκτικής Υπηρεσίας για τα καταφύγια — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/topothetisi-ypourgeiou-esoterikon-gia-tin-ekthesi-tis-elegktikis-ypiresias-gia-ta-katafygia/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
6. Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών & Δύναμη Πολιτικής Άμυνας — Οδηγίες αυτοπροστασίας σε περίπτωση κινδύνου από εχθρική ενέργεια — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/odigies-aftoprostasias-se-periptosi-kindynou-apo-echthriki-energeia/ (accessed 2026-10-20)