Living in Cyprus
Information British citizens moving to or living in Cyprus need to know, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
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 can apply for or renew your British passport in Cyprus. Check the travel advice for Cyprus for passport validity requirements.
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.
Always carry your passport when travelling to other EU / EFTA countries. If you have citizenship of an EU / EFTA country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Cyprus using your EU / EFTA passport.
If you stay in Cyprus with a residence permit or long stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit in Cyprus or for the Schengen area.
If you visit countries in the Schengen area, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.
Different rules apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.
If you were living in Cyprus before 1 January 2021
When you travel, you should carry with you your residence document (MEU1/MEU3/MUKW1/MUKW3) or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.
You must proactively show your residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. Other evidence may be your tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residence document, carry your certificate of registration.
If you cannot prove 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.
If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you do not need any extra months on your passport to enter or exit EU countries.
Healthcare
Read our guidance on healthcare in Cyprus and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances. We strongly advise you take out private medical insurance if you are not eligible for state healthcare.
Read the Cypriot government guidance on the healthcare system (in Greek).
You should also read guidance on:
- finding English-speaking doctors and on-call pharmacies
- finding a hospital in Cyprus
- checking your prescriptions are legal in Cyprus
- healthcare when travelling in Europe
- advice on foreign travel insurance
Working in Cyprus
If you are planning to move to Cyprus and work, you may need a visa. Read the Cyprus government’s guidance on working in Cyprus as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
To apply for a job you may need to provide a UK police certificate.
Read:
If you were living in Cyprus before 1 January 2021
You have the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement.
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 plan to study in Cyprus, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Cyprus to check what fees you may have to pay.
Read guidance on:
If you were living in Cyprus before 1 January 2021
The studying in the European Union guidance includes specific information for those who were already living in Cyprus before 1 January 2021.
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 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 112 or 199 in Cyprus.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British High Commission Nicosia.
Returning to the UK
Check the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK.
Tell the Cyprus and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.
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.
To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, bringing family members, tax and access to services.
If you return to the UK permanently and meet the ordinarily resident test, you’ll be able to access NHS care without charge.
Last updated 4 August 2021
