Blue Flag certifications suspended for Limassol beaches in 2026

No beaches in the Limassol bay will hold a Blue Flag certification in 2026 due to persistent water pollution complaints. The non-governmental organization CYMEPA, which oversees the program in Cyprus, advised local municipalities not to apply for the award, as the criteria for quality could not be met. This follows numerous complaints from the public during the previous year and the subsequent suspension of flags at certain locations. Authorities clarify that the absence of a Blue Flag does not automatically render the waters unsafe for swimmers. A coordination meeting regarding the pollution issue is scheduled for next week under the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, involving government departments and local authorities, but excluding NGOs like CYMEPA. Meanwhile, public activists claim that the suspension follows years of lobbying regarding environmental health risks, while calling for an audit into the funding of the certification process. The Deputy Ministry of Shipping has now assumed a lead role in addressing the long-standing concerns regarding the area's marine status.