Living in Cyprus

Coronavirus

You should follow the advice of the Cyprus Government and your local authority. You can also read our Cyprus travel advice for our latest guidance.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Cyprus see our coronavirus travel advice

Stay up to date

You should:

• sign up for email alerts for updates to this guidance
• follow the British High Commission in Cyprus on Facebook and Twitter

You can also:

• read the Cypriot government guidancewebpage onfor information about how Cyprus is implementing the Withdrawal Agreement for UK nationals living in Cyprus

The Withdrawal Agreement

IfThe 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 werecan legallycontinue residentto live, work and study in Cyprusthe EU broadly as you did before 131 January 2021,2020.

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.

YouIn shouldthe checkmeantime, thatmake sure you are correctly registered andas shoulda getresident ain newCyprus. residenceWe documentwill toupdate evidencethis yourguidance rights.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 canwill applyget fora temporaryregistration residencycertificate status from the Ministry of the Interior, Civil Registry and Migration DepartmentDepartment. Contact details are available here.

After living in Cyprus for more than 5 years, you can apply for permanent residencyresidence status.(MEU3).

Read the Cypriot government guidance residency in Cyprus.Cyprus.

If there are changes to residency registration processes, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.

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Additional support

UK nationalsNationals whoSupport areFund

The residentgovernment inhas Cyprusannounced andfunding needfor helporganisations to completeprovide theirpractical residencesupport applicationto orUK registration,nationals canwho getmay supporthave fromdifficulty organisationscompleting fundedtheir byresidency theapplication UKor Nationals Support Fund.registration. 

This support is only available only to peoplethose who need additional helphelp. toThis secure their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. They may include pensioners, disabled people, people living in remote areas or people who have mobility difficulties.

The Supportservices available includes:for people who need this additional support include:

• answering questions about residenceresidency applications, such as the documents yourequired need and how the application process worksprocedure
• guiding youindividuals through the process, if necessary
• supportsupporting ifpeople youfacing experience language barriers or difficulty accessing online information and servicestechnology

In Cyprus, this support is being provided by two organisations: SSAFA (specifically for armed forces veterans) and Cyprus Residency Planning Group (CRPG). If you,you or someone you know,know aremay havinghave difficulty completing residencethe paperworkpaperwork, oryou havecan anycontact questions,them contactusing the organisationdetails thatbelow coversto thediscuss regionhow wherethey you,may orbe they,able live.to help you.

SSAFA: The Armed Forces Charity contact details:

• visitVisit the SSAFA website

• hotline:Hotline: 800 77058 (freephone), available Mon - Fri 09.00 - 17.30

• forEmail: UK-based enquiries call +44 (0) 800 193 0474

• email:ukvie.support@ssafa.org.uk

CRPG: 800 09009 (freephone)

hotline available contact details:

• hotline: 800 09009 (freephone), available Mon – Fri 09.00-13.00
• email:

  contactus@cyprus-crpg.org

Moving

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Passports from 1 January 2021

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

From You1 canJanuary apply2021, foryou or renew your British passport from Cyprus.

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.

RenewYou yourwill passportneed beforeto bookingrenew your travel.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 haveneed to useshow separatea lanesreturn fromor EU,onward EEAticket and Swissthat citizensyou whenhave queueing.enough money for your stay. You may also needhave to showuse aseparate returnlanes orfrom onwardEU, ticket.

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Entry requirements

YouFrom can1 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.

To stayThis longeris thana 90rolling days180-day inperiod.

To anystay 180-dayfor period,longer, to work or study, or for business travel, you mustwill need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travellingtravelling. to. 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 timestay authorised byunder a visa or permit will not count towardsagainst yourthe 90-day visa-free 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.Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Healthcare

TravelIf toyou theare UKliving andin IrelandCyprus hasor notmove changed.there permanently before 31 December 2020, you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Cyprus as you do now, provided you remain legally resident.

Healthcare

You must be properly registered for healthcare as a resident in Cyprus, as well as registering, where necessary, with a health insurer.

Once you are registered as resident, you may be entitled to state healthcare. You should check with the Ministry of Health or at your local citizen service centre to see if you are covered.

You can find information about the new Cypriot state healthcare system GESY on their website. We strongly advise you to take out private medical insurance if you are not eligible for state healthcare.

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certificate.

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European andHealth wereInsurance livingCard (EHIC)

If you are resident in CyprusCyprus, beforeyou 1must Januarynot 2021,use youra rightsEuropean toHealth accessInsurance healthcareCard will(EHIC) stayfrom the sameUK ifto youaccess arehealthcare either:in Cyprus.

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Anyou have comprehensive travel insurance. The existing EHIC isarrangements are not an alternative to travel insurance, as some health-related costs, including for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment are not covered. The EHIC is also not valid in north Cyprus.

For more information read our guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe and advice on foreign travel insurance.

You should also read guidance on:

• healthcare and studying abroad
• finding English-speaking doctors in Cyprus
• checking your prescriptions are legal in Cyprus

Working in Cyprus

If you were legally resident in Cyprus before 1 January 2021, you have the right to work, as long as you remain legally resident.

If you are planning to come to Cyprus to work, you may need a visa. Read theour Cypriot government’s guidance on howworking toin getan aEU visacountry.

To apply for a job you may need to provide a UK police certificate.

Frontier workers

If you liveare resident in Cyprus andon were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTAbefore country,31 beforeDecember 12020, Januaryyour 2021right youto maywork needwill astay permitthe tosame, showas thatlong as you areremain aresident frontierin worker.Cyprus.

Education and professional qualifications

YouIf willyou beare eligiblelegally forresident broadlyin theCyprus sameon supportor asbefore Cypriot31 nationals,December as2020, longyour asright youto werestudy legally resident in Cyprus beforewill 1stay Januarythe 2021.same, Checkas thatlong as you areremain correctlya registeredresident forin residency. Cyprus.

Read ourthe guidance on:

• on continuing your studies in the EU
• healthcare for students in Cypruscountries

.

Professional qualifications

YouIf mayyou needhave toalready getbeen your professional qualification recognised ifby youan wantEU tocountry workas inholding avalid professionprofessional thatqualifications, isthis regulated in Cyprus. When doing this, you will beremain subjectvalid toafter the31 thirdJanuary country regulations.2020.

If youryou qualificationhave wasnot officiallyhad recognisedyour byprofessional thequalifications relevantrecognised, regulatoryou incan Cyprussubmit beforean 1application Januaryunder 2021, make sure you understand the termscurrent ofrules youruntil recognition31 decisionDecember by checking with that regulator.2020.

Money and tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Cyprus to ensure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Cyprus have not changed.

You should read the guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• paying income tax in Cyprus

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Cyprus. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Cyprus.

National Insurance

Find out if you needcan to pay National Insurance inwhile the UK or social security contributionsabroad in Cyprus.

Banking

Whetherorder UK banks can provide services to customersprotect livingyour inState thePension EEAand isentitlement ato matterother ofbenefits local law and regulation.allowances.

If Your bank or finance provider should contact you ifare theyemployed needor toself-employed makein anythe changesEU to your product or theEEA wayand they provide it. If you have anya concernsUK-issued aboutA1/E101 whetherform, you mightwill beremain affected,subject contactto yourUK providerlegislation oruntil seek independent financial advice.

Read the Moneyend anddate Pension Service guidance on banking,the insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.form.

Pensions

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Cyprus.

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

If you retire in Cyprus, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Please contact the International Pensions Centre to claim
• your Cypriot and UK state pension through your local citizen service centre if you have worked in Cyprus
• pensions from abroad, if you have worked in other EU countries

Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must fill it in promptly, otherwise your payments may be suspended.

Benefits

Pensions after 31 December 2020

ReadThere ourwill guidancebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on entitlementclaiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance.

If you are living in Cyprus by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.

If you work and pay social security contributions in Cyprus, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Cypriot pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after 31 December 2020.

If you are considering moving to Cyprus on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

You whilecan youcontinue areto livingreceive your UK State Pension if you live in Cyprus.the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.

Benefits

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Cyprus.

• read our Checkguidance on which UK benefits you can claim while you’re abroad
• use andour howtool to check which benefits you can claim them.
  while abroad

If you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks, many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you.

You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

Cypriot benefits

You may be able to claim some Cyprus social security benefits. When you are checking whether you are eligible for benefits in Cyprus you should make sure you declare any National Insurance contributions you made in the UK.

Driving

Benefits after 31 December 2020

There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in Cyprusthe EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

If you are residentliving in Cyprus,the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you shouldwill exchangecontinue yourto receive any UK licencebenefits you already receive. This will continue for aas Cypriotlong one.as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.

ForIf informationyou onwork drivingand pay social security contributions in Cyprus, readyou thewill guidancestill on:be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Cypriot contribution-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim your pension after 31 December 2020.

• what

  If you needare considering moving to driveCyprus abroad

• renewingon or exchangingafter your1 licenceJanuary while2021 abroad
• bringingand ayou privateare carnot intocovered Cyprus
• standardsby ofthe drivingWithdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in Cyprusthe EU

.

Driving in Cyprus

Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.

If you are resident in Cyprus, you should exchange your UK withlicence for a Cypriot licence

one. You can still use your Cypriot licence in the UK for short visits, or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test.test Weif willyou updatereturn theseto pageslive ifin therethe areUK.

For anyinformation changeson todriving in Cyprus, read the rules,guidance ason:

• what soonyou asneed informationto isdrive available.
  abroad
• renewing or exchanging your licence while abroad
• bringing a private car into Cyprus
• standards of driving in Cyprus

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Cyprus

You cannot import vehicles through the northern part of Cyprus. The authorities may seize your vehicle.

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK and the Cypriot government webpage on importing a vehicle into Cyprus.

You should read the European Union’s guidance on car registration and taxes in Cyprus.

You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.

Voting

YouAfter cannot31 voteJanuary in2020, electionsUK nationals are no longer eligible to vote in Cypruslocal orand European Parliament elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Cyprus, you will need to register a birth abroad.

If someone dies in Cyprus, you can:

• read our guidance on what to do after someone dies
• read our guidance for UK nationals on bereavements in Cyprus

Find out how you can get married abroad.

Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Cyprus.

You may also need:

• English-speaking lawyers and translators in Cyprus
• citizen service centres

Pets

IfCurrent you have a pet passport issued by Cyprus or another EU member state, you can use it to travel withrules yourwill petstay tothe Greatsame Britainuntil and31 elsewhereDecember in the EU.2020.

AIf GB-issuedyou’re EUtravelling petwith passportyour ispet not valid for travel to the EUfirst ortime Northernyou Ireland.must Youvisit should speak to your vet before you travel to get thea necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.passport.

Read guidance on:

• on bringing your pet to GB
• travelling with your pet in the EUUK
• travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet

Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel..

Emergencies

You can dial the European emergency number on 112, or Cyprus also has 199.

If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British High Commission Nicosia.

Accommodation and buying property

Read guidance on buying a property abroad.

Returning to the UK

Tell the UK and Cypriot authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

If you get healthcare in Cyprus through the S1 certificate, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, access to services and bringing family members.

Disclaimer

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Cypriot authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.