Cyprus Residence Permit

And here you are owning your new property in Cyprus! If it is in your plans to visit or move on the island either permanently or for a short period you will need to obtain a residence permit in order to abide by the legal regulations. However we should underline that the requirement in residence permit depends on each visitor's citizenship, the reason to enter the country and the period of the intended stay.

If you fall under the category European Union Citizens here are some useful information.

As Cyprus is a member of the European Union, every citizen of the other countries – members can freely enter Cyprus without a visa and are allowed to reside in Cyprus sharing the same rights with locals. In case the dependant family members (spouse and children) of an Eu citizen are non- Eu citizens they also share the same rights with the Eu citizens.

It is highly recommended by the government that entry into the Republic of Cyprus is made through one of the legal ports in the government-controlled area. These are the airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the seaports of Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos.

When planning to stay in Cyprus for a period longer than three months are obliged to obtain an Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) and a Temporary Residence Permit.

For such a procedure you should refer to the Civil Registration and Migration Department through the local Immigration Branch of the Police within the first 8 days of your arrival and pay a small fee.
The residence permit application should be submitted within three months from the date of arrival.

The residence permit known as Registration Certificate can be made at the same time with the ARC in the Civil Registration and Migration Department. Along with your application you will need to demonstrate proof of employment or adequate and stable income from another source. If you are not employed you must adduce evidence for health insurance.

The application should be submitted in person. Your Residence Certificate commonly referred to as the "yellow slip" or "pink slip", accordingly, will be issued within six months from the date of submission of the relevant application and all the required documents. It is recommended to find out when your "yellow / pink slip" is ready at the point of application.

In order to start working in Cyprus you do not need to wait until the Residence Permit is issued. Make sure you have all your applications and relevant documents submitted within the legal period as described above. Failure to comply with the regulation and proceed with the relevant application will result in a fine.

Once you have secured employment in Cyprus you must also apply for a Social Insurance Number.

Documents required to attach with application for a Temporary Residence Permit (by category):

Employed and self-employed:

valid passport or photo ID document; and copies
certificate of employment or confirmation of engagement by the employer, stamped by the Labour Department, or if self-employed, certificate of registration with the social security services
two recent passport - sized photographs
copies of all original documents

If you are planning to open a business and provide services it is recommended to check if there is a relevant law indicating that a professional permit is necessary for the activity. In this case, you must provide to the competent body responsible all the certificates and documents needed to verify qualifications. In the Republic of Cyprus this is compulsory for professions such as doctor, lawyer, accountant, engineer, electrician, architect etc. Further information can be provided to you by the Department of Labour.

Retired, non working:

A person retiring to Cyprus, or not working in Cyprus must also demonstrate evidence of:

Cyprus residence by either demonstrating, title deed of property owned, or contract of sale, or contract of rental or,

adequate income from legal sources such as pension, employment outside of Cyprus, dividends from investments, or another income source to support themselves and have a descent living

money deposits in a Cyprus or overseas bank
an all-inclusive health insurance unless your retirement scheme covers your medical expenses. In such occasion you should inform the authorities in your country and in the country you are moving to in order to be benefited from state healthcare.
copies of all original documents

Students:

In addition to the documents required by the employed people students are required to attach to their applications:

proof of their enrollment in a university or college based in the Republic of Cyprus
proof of comprehensive health insurance
proof (by declaration) of financial resources
copies of all original documents

Family Members:

Family members refer to a spouse, children aged under 21 years, other dependents and a spouse's dependents, and any direct family members. An application fee is payable at the time of submission along with a fee for each family member.

EU family members:

EU-citizen's family who are also holders of EU passports, the following documents must be provided along with the completed application form:

valid passport or identity card of each member (attach also several copies)
proof of the family relationship (certified copies of marriage certificate and children's birth certificates)
family members that are not dependants must show proof of a serious medical condition which leaves them completely dependent
the Registration Certificate of the EU-citizen family member already residing in Cyprus (if it is already issued)
two passport-sized photos of each family member
application form MEU1A for EU-citizen family members
copies of all original documents

Non-EU spouse and children: application for Residence Card

The non-EU family members of EU citizens moving to Cyprus are entitled to the Residence Card . Application must be made within three months of the date of entry.

Family members of EU citizens who are not EU citizens must provide the documents listed below with a competed application form:

valid passport with visa if applicable (attach also several copies)
a document stating the family relationship with the Eu citizen family member
proof of family relationship (marriage and children's birth certificates)
proof of the family member's consistent relationship with the EU citizen
family members that are not dependants must show proof of a serious medical condition which leaves them completely dependent
two passport-sized photos for each family member
application form MEU2A for non-EU citizen family members of an EU citizen
copies of all original documents

Registration Certificates Validity Period

Residence permits granted for employment purposes (including self-employment) are valid for five (5) years as from the date of issue but Registration Certificates obtained by family members of EU citizens are valid for two (2) years.

Note: In case you have signed an employment contract which exceeds three months of duration but less than a year, or in cases of seasonal employment with duration over three months, a Temporary Registration Certificate can be issued and will only be valid for the expected duration of your employment.

Permanent Registration Certificate

By the Laws of the Republic of Cyprus an EU citizen who has lived legally and continuously in Cyprus for 8 years has the right to apply for a Permanent Residence permit. After receiving approval by the Civil Registry and Migration Department of Nicosia and all the process is completed, the applicant receives an official stamp on their passport and are no longer obligated to renew their residence permit.

A completed application form MEU3A is required along with:

valid passport or identity card; and several copies
two passport-sized photos

Permanent Registration Certificate validity

Residence cards are valid during short-term, temporary absences not exceeding six months in any year or by one absence of a maximum of 12 consecutive months for reasons such as pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, study or professional training, or a posting in a different country.

Once permanent residency is acquired, an absence from the country of more than two consecutive years will nullify residency.

The family members of an EU citizen who are Non-EU citizens may apply for a Permanent Residence Card. An application must be submitted before the end of one month of the Residence Card's expiry. The Permanent Residence Card for non-EU family members is valid for 10 years and is renewable.

All the applications can be easily downloaded from the official site of the Ministry of Interior.

Please be notified that the above information is only a guide! You ought to contact your lawyer or the Civil Registry and Migration Department of Nicosia to fully understand your legal status in order to proceed accordingly.