BREXIT – IMPORTANT
INFORMATION FOR EXPATS RESIDENT IN CYPRUS.
THIS INFORMATION ASSUMES THAT THE UK LEAVES THE EU WITH A DEAL. IF THERE IS A ‘NO DEAL’ THE POSITION MAY
CHANGE!
1 1 Driving
Licences – if you are still driving around on your UK driving licence, this
should be changed for a Cypriot one as soon as possible. If you do not do this by the 29 March 2019
there is a possibility that the Cypriot authorities may request you sit a new
driving test!
If you
return to the UK, you re-exchange the Cypriot licence for a UK one.
The
Cypriot licence will be valid if you drive in the UK on your visits there.
2 2 Immigration
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALISE THAT THE CYPRIOT
AUTHORITIES CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR
STATUS IF YOU DO NOT REGISTER WITH IMMIGRATION.
IN ADDITION, IF YOU DO NOT
REGISTER, YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACQUIRED CITIZENS RIGHTS WHICH WILL APPLY WHEN THE UK LEAVES THE EU. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU REGISTER TO PROTECT
YOUR RIGHTS.
Within 4
months of moving to Cyprus you should have applied for your yellow slip
[MEU1]. If
you did not do this and you do not have a yellow slip [MEU1] please go to
Immigration with your
passports and make an appointment.
Please make it clear that you are applying for the MEU1. Immigration will tell you the documentation
required at your appointment – and
expect to have to wait around 4 months for this appointment. Those who are married are likely to be asked to get the marriage certificate
apostiled and you may be required to provide
an official translation into Greek of specific documents depending on the country of issue.
If you
have your MEU1, and you have held this for 5 years or more, you should upgrade
this to an MEU3 [permanent residency].
By doing this you will qualify under the Citizens Rights Agreement. You have up until the date the UK leaves the
EU to apply for your MEU3 – thereafter
if you have not applied for your MEU1/3 you would have to apply as a Third World National and your application would be considered
accordingly. As a European citizen
the current application rate for the MEU3 is €20 per person – the fee is likely
to be higher and the documentation
required more onerous for a Third World Citizen.
To
apply for the MEU3, you need to go to Immigration with your passports and make
an appointment [expect to
have to wait around 4 months for this appointment]. Immigration will
tell you the documentation required.
Please note that immigration will need 5 years continuous [with no omissions!] statements of bank, OR water, OR
electricity, OR phone bills. As you have your MEU1 you will not need to
get your marriage certificate apostiled.
Photographs are not
required as a photo will be taken of you at the time of your appointment.
If you do not formalise your residency in
Cyprus before the UK leaves the EU, it is likely that your access to the General Hospital will be
removed.
