Link to video of live questions with the British High Commissioner and Vice Consul yesterday, 27/2 regarding Brexit.
The sound quality is not brilliant so headphones may help.
https://www.facebook.com/ukincyprus/videos/1477010262430460/
Main points covered:
1 Apply for the MEU1 or MEU3 sooner rather than later to protect your rights. Re the MEU1, you do not necessarily have to have a Cypriot bank account but you must prove via your UK bank account that there are regular transfers to Cyprus so the authorities can see how you afford to live here.
2 If No deal, there will probably be a period of grace to allow people to apply and obtain their MEU1 or MEU3 but it is not known how long this period of grace will be. The important thing is to get your appointment made as soon as you can and not leave it until the last minute.
3 Will a visa be needed to visit Cyprus? If you live here and have an MEU1 or MEU3, then No. If you visit for a holiday of less than 90 days, then as it stands at the moment no visa will be required. For visits of 90+ days people will need to comply with any new regulations which the Cyprus Government will put in place - details yet to be advised
4 'Swallows' will need to keep their visit under 90 days and if their visit will exceed 90 days in any one trip, they should apply for an MEU1, or a visa if the Cyprus Govt decides a visa will be required
5 MEU1 or MEU3 should be carried to show at the airport if required. It is hoped that the A4 sheet will in due course be replaced with a credit card sized laminated card
6 Driving licences should be transferred to Cypriot ones if you are here for more than 90 days. These are valid so that you can drive in the UK and if you return to the UK, the Cypriot licence will be converted to a UK one. Visitors will need an International Driving permit, available from a UK Post Office to accompany your UK driving licence.
7 Re businesses, anyone here before Brexit should not be affected but changes are likely after Brexit, especially if there is a No Deal.
8 If you move here after Brexit, work permits may be required
9 Voting rights - currently UK expats can vote in local elections and European elections. The UK Govt wishes UK expats to continue to be able to vote and stand in local elections but no decision has yet been made. As things stand at the moment, we will lose our vote in the European elections after Brexit.
10 If someone is moving to Cyprus after Brexit, then if they move during the implementation period, ie before the end of 2020, people will be eligible for the MEU1. In the event of a No Deal Brexit, you can still move here and, as far as is known buy property, but people will be subject to Cypriot Immigration Rules which could mean a visa probably and no access to healthcare unless they take private medical insurance.
11 At the airport, post Brexit, waiting for a decision as to which queue UKexpats will be able to use, ie the Egate or 'Other' queue!
12 If you have an old residency permit M55, then you need to go to Immigration and make an appointment to transfer to the MEU3.
Please remember that until the UK Government makes a decision there are a lot of things up in the air. The most important thing as far as the British High Commission is concerned is to establish your residency, by the MEU1 or the MEU3 if you have been here 5 years [or having the appointment in place], and to transfer your driving licence to a Cypriot one. If you have an M55 [a residency permit which pre-dated the entry of Cyprus into the EU], then you need to apply for an MEU3.
As regards GHS, or GISY, the new Cypriot National Health Service, it is not known exactly how this will operate as regards UK expats and we probably will not find out until Brexit is resolved. Those in employment in Cyprus paying social, and Cypriot pensioners will start paying from 1 March.
Further information is available on the Living in Cyprus Guide - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-cyprus
