Guide to Working in Cyprus as a UK National / Non-EU National

Is it possible for UK Nationals to work in Cyprus, post-Brexit?

Since Brexit, UK nationals are treated as third-country (non-EU) nationals and cannot move to Cyprus for local employment without prior sponsorship. Here, Comark Estates explain the different options available to UK nationals (and other non-EU citizens) including the process for working with sponsorship, residency permits for highly-qualified workers and we share some helpful resources so that you can learn more about whether you need a visa or permit to work in Cyprus and how to get one if you do.

It is important to note that holders of Temporary Residency (‘Pink Slip’), Permanent Residence Permit s under category 5(F) (‘Fast Track permit’) and Regulation 6(2) (Regular permit) are not permitted to work in Cyprus.

What are the options available for UK Nationals to work in Cyprus?

We are going to explore a number of different options including:

Working for a company in Cyprus on a long-term Cypriot contract
Residence permit for Highly Qualified Workers (the BFU and the EU Blue Card).
Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa
Self-Employment

Working for a company in Cyprus on a long-term Cypriot contract

It is possible for UK Nationals to be employed by a Cypriot company and obtain a work permit, provided that certain conditions are met. The application process involves the employer submitting an application to the District Labour Office of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, which will investigate and confirm that the criteria for the employment of third country nationals are being met.

In addition, the employer must first prove to the Department of Labour that the specific job cannot be filled by a Cypriot or EU/EEA national (unless you qualify under specialized schemes like foreign-interest companies or high-skilled paths – see next section for more details).

To qualify for a temporary residence and employment permit you must:

have an employment offer from a company in Cyprus for at least 1 year
be placed on Cypriot payroll
meet minimum salary requirements for your role in Cyprus
have a university degree
have relevant education and professional experience

The company in Cyprus must:

be able to show that they have not been able to recruit anyone locally (from Cyprus or the rest of the EU)
have most of its shares held by Cypriot or EU nationals

This permit can take up to 12 to 24 weeks to obtain. It is valid for up to 1 year, which you can then extend for up to 4 years. There is the possibility of extending it for up to 6 years or indefinitely, but this would need to be checked with the authorities. This permit type can lead to permanent residency if you meet the criteria.

If you have a family they may be able to join you with this permit type after 1 year.

Read about the full procedure here: Home Affairs Article on Employed Workers in Cyprus.

Residence permit for highly-qualified workers

Business Facilitation Unit (BFU):

Fast-tracks employment and residence permits for high-level talent and specialists working in eligible international companies of foreign interests – launched in Cyprus to attract international investment, and significantly simplifying the process of relocating a business, and highly skilled non-EU employees to Cyprus.

Company eligibility for the BFU fast-track scheme:

Majority Foreign Ownership: Over 50% of the company’s shares must be owned by third-country nationals.

Alternative Investment: Foreign participation is either, or less than 50%, but represents a foreign investment of at least €200,000.

Physical Presence: The company has to operate an independent, physical office in Cyprus, separate from any private residence.

Minimum Capital Transfer: The ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) has to prove an initial transfer / investment of at least €200,000 into the corporate account from a foreign bank account.

Employee Qualification and terms for the BFU fast-track scheme:

Hired third-country nationals must satisfy these employment criteria:

Minimum Salary: A gross monthly salary of at least €2,500.
Skills & Experience: Must hold a university degree (or equivalent diploma) or have at least two years of relevant professional experience.
Contract Length: An employment contract valid for a minimum of two years.

Learn more here: Home Affairs article on Highly Qualified Workers in Cyprus

EU Blue Card:

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit that allows highly qualified workers from countries outside the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) to live and work in the Republic of Cyprus and other EU member states, with the exception of the Kingdom of Denmark and Ireland.

In the Republic of Cyprus, the EU Blue Card will be issued for highly qualified employment in the following sectors:

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
Pharmaceuticals (for research purposes only)
Shipping (excluding ship captains and crew)

The minimum gross annual salary required for the issuance of an EU Blue Card in the Republic of Cyprus is set at €43,632.

Holders of an EU Blue Card issued by the Republic of Cyprus enjoy the following rights:

Entry, re-entry, and residence in the Republic of Cyprus.
Access to highly qualified employment.
Equal treatment with Cypriot citizens in terms of working conditions, education and training, social security etc.
Family reunification with permits equal in duration to those of the EU Blue Card holder.
Accumulation of periods of residence in different member states for the purpose of eligibility of acquiring EU long-term resident status.

The employer files through the Migration Department in Nicosia, with a statutory Labour Department opinion inside the procedure. A duly complete application is decided within up to 90 days.

Learn more here: The Gov.Cy article on the EU Blue Card

Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa

Cyprus also has a residence and work permit via the Migration Department called the ‘Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa’ scheme. The cap for the number of permits that are granted under this scheme is 500.

The Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa is valid for Non-EU or non-EEA nationals who:

Can perform work remotely through telecommunications technology;
Are employed in a company registered abroad, for which they can work location-independently, or are self-employed offering services remotely for clients located abroad;
Can prove that they have stable and sufficient monthly net income of at least €3500 (after the deduction of contributions and taxes).

Validity: 1 year.

In case of renewal, the temporary residence permit is issued with a validity of maximum two years.

Learn more, including details on the process for application here: Gov.Cy Digital Nomad Information Page.

Working as Self-Employed in Cyprus

As a non-EU citizen, to work in Cyprus as a self-employed you have to obtain an immigration permit (which is a type of permanent residence permit). There are different categories (Categories A, B, C and D) and criteria within these categories, such as minimum sufficient financial resources/capital, based on which sector you belong to.

Find out more about these categories, and the permits for working as a self-employed worker here: Home Affairs Article on self-employed workers in Cyprus.

Other Information about Travelling to Cyprus for work

Read more about traveling to Cyprus for work in the Gov.UK website, which includes information on being transferred from a UK-based company to a branch in Cyprus, working long term for a ‘company of foreign interests’ or visiting for work purposes, and more: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-cyprus-for-work

Disclaimer: the information provided by Comark Estates on this page is for general informational purposes only, and is provided in good faith. Comark Estates are not liable to any changes in this information.

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