UK Government advice regarding residency in Cyprus as a result of Brexit:
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 will get a registration certificate from the Ministry of the Interior, Civil Registry and Migration Department.
After living in Cyprus for more than 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence (MEU3).
Read the Cypriot government guidance residency in Cyprus.
If there are changes to residency registration processes, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.
Read our guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To start the formalisation process, you need to go down to Paphos Immigration office with your passport and make an appointment. They will tell you the documentation you need to take with you to that appointment. If you have lived here for more than 5 years and have not got an MEU1, then you can ask them to deal with the combined MEU1 and MEU3 in one visit. Expect to have to wait 3 to 4 months for your appointment, unless you are lucky and a cancellation slot has become available. Immigration have said in the past that as long as you have started the process before 31 December 2020, your application will be processed as if you were still an EU citizen.
Failure to formalise your residency will leave you open to a large fine if caught, and will also mean that you will only be able to stay on the island for up to 90 days and must then leave and not return for another 90 days. Lack of MEU1/MEU3 documentation also means that many expats have been stranded abroad unable to repatriate to Cyprus until normal flights resumed.
Post 31 December 2020, UK expats will be third country nationals - the residency procedure is not as straightforward as it is for an EU citizen.
If you are elderly and/or infirm, there is help available from CRPG - please see below.
UK National Support Fund
On 6 March 2020 the FCO announced funding for organisations to provide practical support to UK nationals who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
These organisations will help individuals who may find it harder to complete the necessary paperwork to secure their residency rights, including pensioners, disabled people, those living in remote areas or who have mobility difficulties, and those who require help with language translation or interpretation.
In Cyprus, two organisations are providing this practical support: SSAFA (specifically for armed forces veterans) and Cyprus Residency Planning Group (CRPG). If you or someone you know may find it harder to complete the paperwork, you can contact them using the details below to discuss how they may be able to help you.
SSAFA: 800 77058 (freephone)
Mon - Fri 09.00-17.30
CRPG: 800 09009 (freephone)
Mon – Fri 09.00-13.00
