Please take a few minutes to read through the following:
Living in Cyprus
Official information for UK nationals moving to and living in Cyprus, including guidance on residency, passports and the Withdrawal Agreement.
The Withdrawal Agreement
The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and study in the EU broadly as you did before 31 January 2020.
If you are resident in Cyprus at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident in Cyprus.
Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information.
In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Cyprus. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.
You should also read our guidance on living in Europe.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Cyprus.
Residency
If you are resident in Cyprus before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, you will be able to continue to live, work and access services as you do now.
You must register as a Cypriot resident if you plan to stay in Cyprus for more than 3 months. You will get a registration certificate from the Ministry of the Interior, Civil Registry and Migration Department. Contact details are available here.
After living in Cyprus for more than 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence (MEU3).
Read the Cypriot government guidance residency in Cyprus.
If there are changes to residency registration processes, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.
Read our guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
UK Nationals Support Fund
The government has announced funding for organisations to provide practical support to UK nationals who may have difficulty completing their residency application or registration.
This support is available only to those who need additional help. This may include pensioners, disabled people, people living in remote areas or who have mobility difficulties.
The services available for people who need this additional support include:
- answering questions about residency applications, such as the documents
- required and application procedure
- guiding individuals through the process, if necessary
- supporting people facing language barriers or difficulty accessing technology
In Cyprus, this support is being provided by two organisations: SSAFA (specifically for armed forces veterans) and Cyprus Residency Planning Group (CRPG). If you or someone you know may have difficulty completing the paperwork, you can contact them using the details below to discuss how they may be able to help you.
SSAFA: The Armed Forces Charity
Visit the SSAFA website
Hotline: 800 77058 (freephone), available Mon - Fri 09.00 - 17.30
Email: ukvie.support@ssafa.org.uk
CRPG: 800 09009 (freephone)
Mon – Fri 09.00-13.00
Passports and travel
The rules on travel will stay the same until the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.
Check your passport is valid before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay in Cyprus. However, if you’re travelling to the north of Cyprus, their administration advises that your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the north.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Cyprus.
Passports from 1 January 2021
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.
From 1 January 2021, you must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Cyprus, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.
If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
You will need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped for visits to these countries.
Entry requirements
From 1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism. This is a rolling 180-day period.
To stay for longer, to work or study, or for business travel, you will need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travelling. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.
Periods of stay authorised under a visa or permit will not count against the 90-day limit. Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.
Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.