Living in Cyprus
Information British citizens moving to or living in Cyprus need to know, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens about moving to or living in Cyprus. Read about how our high commission in Cyprus can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should obtain definitive information from the Cypriot authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date:
- sign up for email alerts for updates to this guidance
- follow the British High Commission in Cyprus on Facebook and Twitter
If you were living in Cyprus before 1 January 2021
Some parts of this guide only apply if you were living in Cyprus since before 1 January 2021. These are indicated with sub-headings.
You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
You can also:
Coronavirus
You should follow the advice of the Cyprus Government and your local authority. You can also read our Cyprus travel advice.
For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Cyprus see our coronavirus travel advice.
Visas and residency
If you were legally resident in Cyprus or you can prove that you arrived in Cyprus before 1 January 2021, you will be able to stay.
If you registered as a resident before 1 January 2021, you will have a MEU1 or MEU3 residence document. Non-EU family members will have a MEU2. As of 1 January 2021, the Cypriot government introduced a new residence document for UK nationals and their family members in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. If you are registering for the first time, you also have the right to obtain this new document.
If you have been legally resident in Cyprus for:
- over 5 years, you will be eligible for permanent residency and a 10-year renewable residency document (MUKW3)
- less than 5 years, you will be eligible for a document with 5 years validity (MUKW1)
- non EU family members will be eligible for a MUKW2 document
You have the right to replace your EU residence document for the new one but you are not required to. However, we would recommend that you get it, as this document will declare your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, will simplify administrative processes and border crossings.
You can obtain the new residence document from the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia and the District Units of the Aliens and Immigration Service of the Police.
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. You should sign up for email alerts.
Additional support
If you need additional support to complete your residency application, read the guidance on the UK Nationals Support Fund.
Moving to Cyprus
Check the entry requirements for Cyprus and the Cypriot government guidance on visas.
Passports and travel
You should carry your residence document, as well as your valid passport when you travel. If you have applied but not yet received your document, carry your certificate of application.
If you have not yet applied for a residence document, you should carry evidence that you are resident in Cyprus. This could include a tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020.
If you cannot show that you are resident in Cyprus, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the Schengen area, and your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in Cyprus.
Passports
Check the Cyprus travel advice for passport validity requirements. You can apply for or renew your British passport from Cyprus.
As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. You may also need to show a return or onward ticket.
If you’re travelling to the north of Cyprus, their administration advises that your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the north.
Entry requirements
You can 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 stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, to work or study, or for business travel, you must meet the entry requirements set out by the country you are travelling to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit.
If you stay in Cyprus with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.
Travel to the UK and Ireland has not changed.
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.
Read our guidance on who can access healthcare in Cyprus and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.
State healthcare: S1
You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if you live in Cyprus and you:
- are receiving a UK State Pension
- are receiving some other ‘exportable benefits’
- are a frontier worker who lives in Cyprus and commutes to work in the UK
- have been sent to Cyprus temporarily by your UK employer
Read our guidance on using an S1 form in Cyprus to ensure you are correctly registered for healthcare.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
If you are resident in Cyprus, you must not use your UK-issued EHIC or GHIC for healthcare in Cyprus, unless you are a student or a detached (posted) worker. Current EHICs will remain valid until the expiry date on the card.
If you are living in Cyprus, you may be eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC or GHIC if you’re:
- a UK student in Cyprus
- a UK State Pensioner with a registered S1
- a frontier worker with a registered S1
The card you receive will depend on when you moved to Cyprus.
Apply now for a new UK EHIC or GHIC.
An EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance. The EHIC and GHIC are 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:
- 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 the Cypriot government’s guidance on how to get a visa.
To apply for a job you may need to provide a UK police certificate.
Read the Department for International Trade’s guidance on working or providing services in Cyprus and sign up for their updates.
Frontier workers
If you live in Cyprus and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country, before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.
Professional qualifications
You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Cyprus.
Read guidance on:
If you were living in Cyprus before 1 January 2021
If the relevant regulator in Cyprus officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision. Seek advice from the regulator if needed.
Studying in Cyprus
If you are planning to study in Cyprus, make sure you meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider to check what fees you may have to pay.
Read our guidance on studying in the European Union.
Money, tax and banking
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 need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Cyprus.
Banking
Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA is a matter of local law and regulation. Your bank or finance provider should contact you if they need to make any changes to your product or the way they provide it.
If you have any concerns about whether you might be affected, contact your provider or seek independent financial advice.
Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on banking, insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.
Pensions
Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Cyprus.
If you are moving or retiring abroad, you must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax.
Read our State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
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 if you have worked in other EU countries
Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper 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
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.
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
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.
Accommodation and buying property
Read guidance on buying a property abroad.
Driving in Cyprus
You cannot renew or replace your UK driving licence if you are not resident in the UK.
If you live in Cyprus, you must exchange your UK licence for a Cypriot one within 6 months of becoming resident in Cyprus.
If you were resident in Cyprus before 31 December 2020, you must exchange your UK licence by 7 July 2021.
If you hold a UK licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test.
For information on driving in Cyprus, read the guidance on:
- what you need to drive 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.
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.
Driving in the UK with a Cypriot licence
You can use your Cypriot licence in the UK for short visits, or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test.
Voting
You cannot vote in elections in Cyprus or European Parliament elections.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
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 bereavement 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:
Pets
If you have a pet passport issued by Cyprus or another EU member state, you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU.
A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. You should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.
Read guidance on:
- bringing your pet to GB
- travelling with your pet in the EU
- 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.
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.
Last updated 30 July 2021
