An estimated 3,000 couples from the Middle East travel to Cyprus each year to get married in a civil ceremony, according to the bbc.com.
Michaelakis Mallas, Larnaca’s civil marriage officer told bbc.com that the majority of those who travel to Cyprus are Lebanese and Israelis who are looking for a legal marriage recognized back in their home country.
Many of the couples travel to Cyprus to have a civil ceremony so that they can have the freedom to marry outside of one’s own religion, something which isn’t offered in their countries.
“There are a hell of a lot of people around us who aren’t allowed to have civil weddings and we’re the first country of Europe they find,” Mallas said.
“Ceremonies take 10 to 15 minutes…You see a lot of emotion…And love knows no barriers,” he added.
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