European Commission urges Cyprus to periodically review water permits

The European Commission urges Cyprus to carry out periodic reviews of water permits to comply with the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Therefore, the European Commission sent a reasoned opinion in December 2025. Cyprus now has two months to respond and address the shortcomings. Otherwise, the European Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The reasoned opinion for Cyprus was included in the infringement package of December 2025. The Water Framework Directive requires Member States to establish a programme of measures for each river basin district to ensure the good status of European water bodies. Each programme must include measures to control different types of pressures affecting water bodies, such as water abstraction and diffuse pollution sources.

Periodically review of water permits is required

Member States are required to periodically review these control measures, including any permits granted. This is needed to determine whether they still achieve their objectives or whether they need to be updated. In Cyprus, national legislation does not impose any periodic review, which demonstrates a case of incorrect transposition of the Water Framework Directive.

Lack of legislative improvements

The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Cyprus in December 2024. In its reply, Cyprus acknowledged the need to modify its national legislation, however, this legislative modification has still not been adopted. Therefore, the Commission has decided to issue a reasoned opinion.