Information provided by British High Commission.
RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
EU citizens who wish to reside in Cyprus for more than 3 months are required to apply for a residence permit [yellow slip] through the local immigration office of the Ministry of Interior Republic of Cyprus using form MEU1A. A fee is payable but the permit does not need to be renewed. A permanent registration certificate can be applied for after 5 consecutive years of residence using form MEU3A. More detail can be found on www.moi.gov.cy [this website is in Greek]. You can search under the form names - instructions on how to complete, and documents required can be found at the bottom of the application form. Contact details for Immigration Offices can be found on www.police.gov.cy
PENSIONS/BENEFITS
UK State pensions can be paid to you when in Cyprus. You may also be entitled to other benefits including sickness and bereavement benefits, depending on your individual circumstances. For more information on how moving to Cyprus will affect your pension/benefits visit www.direct.gov.uk or call the International Pension Centre [IPC] on 0044 191 218 7777.
HEALTHCARE
If you are not paying into the Cypriot social security system you may be able to get state healthcare if:
- you are in receipt of a UK state pension, long term contribution based incapacity benefit or bereavement benefit. In order to apply for state healthcare you must apply for a S1 form from the International Pension Centre on 0044 191 218 7777.
- you are an early retiree and have been resident for less than 2 years - apply for a S1 form from the Overseas Health Care Team - 0044 191 218 1999 [www.nhs.uk]
- you are a posted worker for a UK company apply for a S1 form from Centre for Non Residents HMRC - tel 0044 191 203 7010
- you are a dependent of someone who falls into one of these categories
- you spend less than 6 months of the year in Cyprus and have a valid UK European Health Insurance Card [EHIC]
If you do not fall into one of the above categories and are not paying into the Cypriot social security system then you will not be entitled to free treatment and should look to take out private health insurance.
TAX
Britain has a double taxation agreement with Cyprus to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. However, taxation is a complex issue and advice should be sought from the local authorities. Residents, including retirees, are liable to pay tax on income earned in Cyprus or from property held in Cyprus. For more information please refer to Inland Revenue Department, Ministry of Finance Republic of Cyprus - www.mof.gov.cy
EMPLOYMENT IN CYPRUS
EU nationals are entitled to work n Cyprus. You need to apply for a residency permit as early as possible. Without this you will not be able to pay National Insurance or Social Security payments or get a health card. For more information visit www.misi.gov.cy
BUYING PROPERTY IN CYPRUS
Buying a property in Cyprus is different to the UK. Time and care should be taken when looking to make such a large investment. You should always make sure you seek appropriate independent legal advice before purchasing. For more information, including lists of English speaking lawyers, visit www.ukincyprus.fco.gov.uk [Living in Cyprus section]. British citizens considering purchasing a property in the north of Cyprus are advised to thoroughly examine the legal ownership status of the property concerned.
SCHOOLS
Cypriots take education very seriously and school attendance is compulsory up to the age of 16 irrespective of race or culture. Registered European citizens are entitled to state education - all tuition in the state school is conducted in Greek. All English language schools are fee paying - it is vital that you research the school to ensure it meets the requirements of your child's educational and social needs. For additional information contact the Ministry of Education Republic of Cyprus on +357 22 800 600 or email: moec@moec.gov.cy
BANK ACCOUNTS
UK residents can open a bank account with a residence permit or with a passport and proof of address in Cyprus. The Central Bank of Cyprus regulates all banking. It publishes a list of all regulated banks - including branch and representative offices of foreign banks - operating in the country. www.centralbank.gov.cy
ANIMALS/PETS
For information on bringing pets to Cyprus from the UK please refer to the Animal Health and Welfare section of Ministry of Agriculture Republic of Cyprus Natural Resources and Environment - +357 22 805 152 - animal.health@vs.moa.gov.cy
For information about taking pets from Cyprus to the UK please refer to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs www.defra.gov.uk [pet travel scheme].
DRIVING IN CYPRUS
Drivers must be 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. If you allow an underage driver, or a person with no licence to drive your vehicle, you may face charges. You can drive on your UK or EU driving licence whilst it is still valid or apply for a Cypriot driving licence after 6 months of residency. For information on driving with your DVLA licence in Cyprus go to www.dvla.gov.uk
VOTING IN CYPRUS
Elections in the UK
British residents in Cyprus can vote in UK general elections for up to 15 years while they are abroad. For more information - www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Elections in Cyprus/Europe
All EU citizens living as residents in Cyprus are legally entitled to vote in certain Cypriot elections, specifically
- local municipal elections
- European parliamentary elections
Registration must be made separately for each.
POLICE
Cyprus has a strict policy of zero tolerance towards drugs.
Should you require a criminal record check from the Cyprus Police you must hold a valid residency permit for the period in question. For more information including Police Ethics and Citizens Rights Charter please visit www.police.gov.cy
CITIZENS SERVICE CENTRES
The Ministry of Finance Republic of Cyprus operate Citizen Service Centres at main cities in Cyprus. These centres offer a wide range of information and staff speak good English. Further information can be found via www.mof.gov.cy [Citizen Service Centres].
USEFUL TIPS
For general advice and information on living abroad visit the Travel and Living Abroad of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - www.fco.gov.uk
Visit the Cyprus travel section and the Living in Cyprus section on www.ukincyprus.fco.gov.uk
To ensure the best access to public services apply for your residency permit [yellow slip] as early as possible and register at your local health centre.
Make every effort possible to integrate in Cyprus by learning Greek, joining local associations and respecting local culture and customs.
When family and friends visit, ensure they have read the travel advice pages www.ukincyprus.fco.gov.uk - have appropriate travel insurance and have a valid European Health Insurance Card [www.ehic.org.uk] in order to access emergency medical treatment at a state hospital.
EMERGENCY
In an emergency [fire, police, ambulance] call : 112
Emergency words:
Help - Voithia
Look out - Prosekse
Ambulance - Asthenoforo
Doctor - Yiatros
Police - Astinomia
Fire - Fotia
Fireman - Pyrosvestes
Do you speak English? - Milate Elinika?
British Consular Network - Emergency and out of hours contact - please call the switchboard at the High Commission -00357 22 861 100 and listen for instructions.
OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS
The following websites/organisations provide additional information you may find useful:
United Kingdom Cyprus Association - www.ukca.com.cy
Anglo Info Cyprus - www.Cyprus.angloinfo.com
Cyprus Expat - www.cyprusexpat.co.uk
Advice on Buying property - www.cyprus-property-buyers.com
Royal British Legion Cyprus - www.rbllarnaca.org
SSAFA Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Families Assoc - www.ssafa-cyprus.org
Cyprus Mail - daily English speaking newspaper - www.cyprus-mail.com
Cyprus Weekly - weekly English speaking newspaper - www.incyprus.com.cy
Age Concern - advice for retired UK residents considering retiring abroad - www.ageuk.org.uk
Main Police Stations:
Famagusta +357 23 803 030
Ayia Napa +357 23 803 200
Larnaca +357 24 804 040
Limassol +357 25 805 050
Paphos +357 26 806 060
WHAT THE CONSULATES CAN AND CANNOT DO FOR YOU
CAN:
- Issue emergency travel documents. Information can be obtained from www.ukincyprus.fco.gov.uk [passport section]
- provide help if you are a victim of crime, have suffered rape or sexual assault or are in hospital. Help people with mental health needs and contact friends and family if you wish
-make every effort to contact you within 24 hours of being advised that you have been detained or hospitalised
- offer support and help in a range of other cases such as child abduction, death of a relative overseas, missing person and kidnapping
- register and issue birth/death certificates for British nationals who are born or die in Cyprus
- provide information on how to transfer funds. They can contact relatives and friends who may be willing to transfer money to you or buy you a ticket back to the UK
- make special arrangements in crises, eg acts of terrorism, civil disturbances or natural disasters
CANNOT
- get you better treatment in hospital or prison than is given to local people
- get you out of prison, prevent local authorities from deporting you after a prison sentence or intervene in criminal or civil court proceedings
- issue standard passports
- help you enter/leave Cyprus if you have lost or damaged your passport or are travelling on an expired passport
- assist you in leaving Cyprus on a Cypriot ID card where your nationality states British or British/Cypriot
- give legal advice, become involved in specific property/land disputes, investigate crimes or carry out searches for missing people. They can give you details of people who may be able to help you in these cases, eg English speaking lawyers
- pay any bills or give you money from public funds
- make travel arrangements for you, or find work or accommodation
- notarial work - as Cyprus is a Commonwealth country the British High Commission are restricted in the services they can provide. For further information please visit www.ukincyprus.fco.gov.uk