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National Day
Cyprus

National Day 2023, 2024 and 2025 in Cyprus

National Day is observed in Cyprus on 1 April each year. This holiday is also known to some as Greek Cypriot National Day.

YearDateDayHoliday
20231 AprSatNational Day
20241 AprMonNational Day
20251 AprTueNational Day
20261 AprWedNational Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

Cyprus had been under British administration since 1878 after the island was handed over in an agreement with the Ottoman Empire for British military support, if needed, against Russia.

On 1 April 1955, a guerilla organisation was established called Ethnikí Organósis Kipriakóu Agónos (EOKA), or the National Organisation of the Cypriot Struggle. It’s aim was to secure Cyprus’s independence from colonial Britain, and for union with Greece (known as enosis). The organisation was established by Archbishop Makarios III and led by General George Grivas.

In the four years following, EOKA fought against British installations in Cyprus with bombings and armed warfare. The British troops were temporarily depleted due to the Suez Crisis but, in 1957, the British Army sent in extra forces and sought out EOKA hideouts in the mountains.

During this time, Archbishop Makarios III was exiled. In 1958, he agreed to accept independence only for Cyprus, rather than union with Greece, which was becoming more difficult to attain. In February 1959, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Greece signed an agreement with Cyprus in Zurich and the EOKA guerilla forces disbanded.

The agreement declared that the State of Cyprus would become a republic with a Greek President, a Turkish Vice President, the national languages of Greece and Turkey, and its own flag. The agreement came into practical effect later in 1960.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
20221 AprFriNational Day
20211 AprThuNational Day
20201 AprWedNational Day
20191 AprMonNational Day
20181 AprSunNational Day
20171 AprSatNational Day