If you are renting a car in Nicosia and want to visit Kyrenia, Bellapais, Famagusta or other destinations north of the Green Line, the most important thing is to prepare before you reach the checkpoint. In 2026, vehicles can cross at designated Green Line crossing points, but a rental car should only be taken across when your rental company has given permission.
At Infinite Car Rentals, customers may request permission to cross the Green Line. The permission should be confirmed in advance and recorded on the rental agreement. Your normal Republic of Cyprus rental insurance does not extend to driving in the north, so separate local third-party insurance must be purchased at the crossing.
Which Nicosia checkpoint should you use with a rental car?
For drivers starting in Nicosia, the main vehicle crossing is Agios Dometios / Metehan, west of the city centre. It is an official Green Line vehicle crossing and is the most practical option for many journeys toward Kyrenia and the northern part of Nicosia.
Do not confuse it with Ledra Street or Ledra Palace, which are pedestrian crossings and are not suitable for taking a rental car across. Other official vehicle crossing points exist elsewhere on the island, but Agios Dometios/Metehan is normally the most convenient for a Nicosia rental.
For a detailed lane-by-lane explanation, see our Metehan Checkpoint step-by-step guide.
What you need before arriving at Agios Dometios / Metehan
- Passport or accepted identification for the driver and passengers.
- Your driving licence.
- Your Infinite Car Rentals rental agreement.
- Written permission to cross recorded or confirmed by the rental company.
- The driver named on the agreement. Only an authorised driver should drive the vehicle.
If you are booking specifically because you intend to cross the Green Line, tell us before collection so the rental agreement can be prepared correctly. Before driving through Nicosia, it is also worth reading our Nicosia speed cameras 2026 guide so you know where fixed camera enforcement operates and how rental-car traffic fines are handled.
How to buy border insurance at the Green Line
Your southern rental insurance does not remain valid once the vehicle is driven into the north. Before continuing through the checkpoint, the driver must purchase the required local motor insurance at the insurance booth at or around the crossing.
- Approach the Agios Dometios/Metehan crossing and complete the first document check.
- Stop at the insurance kiosk when directed.
- Show the vehicle and rental documents requested by the insurance agent.
- Purchase the temporary policy for the period you require.
- Keep the insurance certificate with you for the entire time you are driving in the north.
Important: border-insurance prices and available policy periods can change, so treat any online price as an estimate and confirm the current amount directly at the insurance booth. The policy purchased there is separate from your Infinite Car Rentals agreement.
What should you say to the officers at the checkpoint?
There is no special script or trick required. Be clear that you are driving a rental vehicle and that the rental company has authorised the crossing. A simple explanation is enough:
“This is a rental car from the Republic of Cyprus. I am the authorised driver and I have permission from the rental company to cross the Green Line. Here is my rental agreement and insurance document.”
If you have not yet purchased the required local insurance, you can simply say:
“I need to purchase the required vehicle insurance for driving in the north. Where should I stop?”
Follow the officers’ directions and provide the documents they request. The Green Line is governed by a special legal regime and is not the same as a normal international land border, so it is better to refer to the location as a crossing point or checkpoint.
Does Infinite Car Rentals insurance cover the vehicle in Northern Cyprus?
No. Your normal Infinite Car Rentals insurance applies in the Republic of Cyprus and does not extend across the Green Line. The separate insurance purchased at the crossing does not change the terms of your rental agreement.
If the vehicle is damaged, breaks down or requires assistance while in the north, the renter remains responsible under the rental agreement. Infinite Car Rentals cannot provide its normal roadside-assistance service across the Green Line, although we may be able to recommend local assistance where possible.
Can you cross back through the same checkpoint?
Yes. Many visitors use Agios Dometios/Metehan for both the outward and return journey. Keep your rental agreement, identification and local insurance certificate with you until you have returned to the government-controlled areas.
Book a Nicosia rental car for a Green Line trip
If you plan to rent a car in Nicosia and drive across the Green Line, the safest approach is to arrange everything before your trip. When booking with Infinite Car Rentals, mention your intention to cross so we can confirm permission and prepare the rental agreement correctly.
Book your Nicosia rental car online or read our broader 2026 Green Line rental-car guide before travelling. If you want a clear breakdown of deposits, excess and optional extras before booking, see our transparent car hire in Cyprus guide.
Related guides
- Nicosia Speed Cameras 2026: Locations, Red Light Fines & Rental Car Charges
- Transparent Car Hire Cyprus: No Hidden Fees with Infinite Car Rentals
- Cyprus Traffic Fines 2026: The Ultimate Insider’s Survival Guide
Quick 2026 checklist
- Choose a rental company that permits Green Line travel.
- Get permission before crossing.
- Use a vehicle crossing such as Agios Dometios/Metehan in Nicosia.
- Carry your passport or accepted ID, licence and rental agreement.
- Buy the required local motor insurance at the crossing.
- Keep all documents in the vehicle during the trip.
- Remember that standard southern rental insurance and roadside assistance do not extend into the north.
Rules, checkpoint procedures and insurance arrangements can change. Always follow the instructions of the authorities at the crossing point and contact Infinite Car Rentals before travel if your booking includes a Green Line crossing.
