
At Comark Estates we regularly help clients with advice about emigrating to Cyprus from the UK. There are many British Expats living across the island now, with more continuing to move for a warm climate and slower paced Mediterranean lifestyle by the sea since Brexit.
One of the questions that we are asked most often when clients are looking at Cyprus residency requirements, is: “Can I live in Cyprus after Brexit?”
We are pleased to say that you can. Since Brexit, the process has changed and we can help you get your head around the requirements – including essential information regarding pensions and visas. Having lived here for many years ourselves, we have access to the best professional advisors on these matters, so rest assured, we will make sure that all the information you need is to-hand, and that all your questions can be answered accurately.
For now, here is a quick oversight of how things stand in terms of requirements for living in Cyprus as a UK national, post-Brexit:
Requirements for Temporary Residence in Cyprus, post-Brexit (for UK Nationals):
Requirements
People who move to Cyprus from U.K. have become classified in the same way as anybody else moving from outside the EU.
The official term is known here as ‘non-EU country nationals” (also known as “third country nationals”) and this forms the basis of your approach when buying property in Cyprus after Brexit.
VISA Requirements
Since 1st January 2021, British Nationals (including any with holiday homes, and anyone wanting to relocate to Cyprus), can only stay in Cyprus for a total of 90 days in any 180 day period – if you want to stay longer then you need a VISA / Pink Slip.
If you are retiring, moving to Cyprus and will then not leave Cyprus for longer than 3 months at a time, to begin with you need a “Temporary Residence Permit” – AKA a “Pink Slip” from the Clivil Registry and Migration Department (link).
But this is only a “Temporary” Residency – Can I move here permanently?
Requirements for Permanent Residence in Cyprus, post-Brexit (for UK Nationals):
Yes – once you have lived in Cyprus legally for 5 years or longer (by renewing your Pink Slip annually), you can then apply to live permanently in Cyprus as long as you did not leave the country for longer than 3 months at a time in the previous 5 year period.
Once you have applied for your Pink Slip, it can take 2 to 3 months to receive it – and in this time whilst you are waiting for your card, you are still allowed to stay in Cyprus.
Requirements for Pink Slip
If you have a visa already, this should be applied for before the current visa expires.
In order to be eligible, the applicant needs to show:
- Adequate income from abroad, to cover living expenses (estimated €15,000-€20,000 for a three-member family)
- A bought, or Rented house or apartment in Cyprus (rental agreement must be for 12 months or longer)
Document Checklist for Temporary Residency:
Temporary Residence Permit in Cyprus as Visitor (MVIS3) Application Form
Rental or Sale Agreement of House/Apartment (rental must be 12 months or longer)
A certification on the Rental/Sale agreement by a Mukhtar or any ‘certifying officer’
A stamp on the Rental/Sale agreement by a Cypriot Tax Office
Open a bank account in Cyprus.
To open a bank account, you will need:
- Copy of your passport.
- A recent utility bill (as proof of address within 3 months).
- Bank/financial institution letter not older than 3 months.
- A detailed CV about yourself. Information / Documents concerning your annual income (i.e. tax declaration if applicable, company documents, income/payslips, profits/dividends, etc).
- Information concerning source/value of wealth, together with relevant supporting documents (bank statement, title deeds, etc).
- (This may change, contact the bank you are applying with to confirm)
Bank statement & proof of transfer, from abroad.
Deposit at least €15,000 in a bank account in Cyprus, which should be transferred from abroad.
Health insurance – Average cost for health insurance is €200 per person – this can be international health insurance or a new one commenced in Cyprus.
Proof of income documents from abroad I.e. any stable income – employment, pension, bank deposits. This income should enable the temporary residence holder to cover his living expenses in Cyprus.
Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
Child Birth Certificates (if applicable)
School enrolment confirmation for Children (if applicable)
Cyprus government fees
Application for the first time or renewal: €70 for each family member.
Registration: €70 for each family member (payable only the first time of application).
Application submission location
The applicant needs to apply to the Immigration Unit of the City they are living. The applications are further forwarded and examined by the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
Below are the addresses of each city’s immigration unit.
NICOSIA – Agamemnonos 6, Engomi, 2411 Nicosia
LIMASSOL – Franglinou Rousvelt 223, Zakaki, Building ¨D. Nikolaou¨, 2nd floor, 3046 Limassol
LARNAKA – Piale Piasha 75, 6027 Larnaka
PAFOS – Eleftheriou Venizelou & Kaningos 22, 2nd floor, 8021 Pafos
FAMAGUSTA – Eleftherias 83, Tatolos Bld, Derynia Plaza, 1st floor, 5380 Derynia
Recommended Practice
It is advisable once you have transferred money from abroad into your Cyprus bank account and arrive here, that you use a visa / credit card for living expenses, instead of cash.
This way, when you subsequently apply for your Pink Slip renewal each year, your bank statement will then clearly show that you are bringing money into the Cyprus economy, which is spent on living expenses. (I.e. you can easily prove for the last year that you were really here).
What next?
We strongly recommend that you use an agent to help you proceed with this process. They help speed things up and also tell you if part of this process has changed for your own personal situation.
There is a different set of rules for people moving for work (i.e. if a business is relocating to Cyprus, or if a branch is opening in Cyprus).
Regardless of your situation, the Agents working in this field come in different forms which you can search for online – some are “Immigration Law Firms”, others call themselves consultancies for “Red Tape Services” – we recommend working with their guidance to get you swiftly safely on our beautiful island.
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 to this information.
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