The European Commission has urged eight member states, including Cyprus, to transpose strengthened EU rules on renewable energy into national law, while also escalating separate concerns about Cyprus’ airport safety compliance and failures to review water permits as required under EU legislation.
Cyprus among eight states late in transposing updated renewables directive
In a notice issued Wednesday, the Commission announced it had sent reasoned opinions to Greece, France, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Portugal for failing to fully transpose Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into national legislation.
Member states were required to notify the Commission of full transposition by 21 May 2025, with some licensing-related provisions due even earlier, by 1 July 2024.
The updated rules aim to accelerate renewable energy deployment across the economy, including in more challenging sectors such as heating and cooling, buildings, transport and industry. They introduce strengthened targets for renewables and outline horizontal measures such as reinforced guarantees of origin, further system electrification, renewable hydrogen promotion and safeguards for sustainable bioenergy production.
The Commission stated that full implementation is essential both for bolstering clean energy production and for reducing emissions from the energy sector, which accounts for more than 75 percent of the EU’s greenhouse gas output. It also pointed to the impact on energy prices and overall competitiveness.
In July 2025, the Commission sent warning letters to 26 member states for incomplete transposition. After reviewing responses, Brussels escalated eight of those cases. The notified states now have two months to respond and adopt the required measures or face possible referral to the EU Court of Justice and financial penalties.
EU escalates concerns over Larnaca and Paphos airport safety oversight
The Commission has also issued a reasoned opinion to Cyprus for failing to ensure that the airport operator at Larnaca and Paphos complies with EU safety requirements, in line with Regulation (EU) 139/2014 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 923/2012.
The issues, first identified in a 2020 inspection by the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), relate to gaps in airport manuals, rescue and firefighting services, and the adequacy of technical personnel within the Cyprus Civil Aviation Department to conduct effective safety oversight.
Brussels noted that these concerns were already highlighted in a warning letter sent to Cyprus in November 2023. With corrective actions still outstanding, the Commission has now moved to the next stage of infringement. Cyprus again has two months to comply or risk referral to the EU Court of Justice.
Water permits under scrutiny as Cyprus fails to meet review obligations
A third reasoned opinion targets Cyprus for non-compliance with the Water Framework Directive, specifically the requirement for periodic review of water permits and other control measures governing rivers, lakes and groundwater.
The Directive obliges member states to maintain and regularly update basin-level programmes to ensure water bodies reach good ecological status. This includes revisiting and revising any permits or controls that may affect water extraction, pollution or basin management.
According to the Commission, Cyprus’ national legislation does not mandate these periodic reviews, indicating incomplete transposition of EU rules. Although Cyprus acknowledged the need to amend its legal framework in its response to a warning letter sent in November 2024, the necessary changes have not yet been adopted.
Brussels has now escalated the case. Unless Cyprus responds and addresses the shortcomings within two months, the issue may be referred to the EU Court of Justice for further action.