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Cyprus Residency
Luis Minvielle
Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.
Oleksandra Dosii
Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.
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Moving to Cyprus usually begins with a temporary residence permit, which allows you to live in the country legally. After five years of continuous residence, EU/EEA citizens and non-EU nationals can apply for permanent residence.
This guide goes over the different pathways, what documents and fees are required, how to include family members, and other key details to help you navigate the process of getting your Cyprus residency.
What is the Cyprus residency permit?
After 5 years of continuous stay, Cyprus offers foreign nationals the possibility to secure residency and gives them the legal right to live in the country indefinitely. Although the status itself is lifelong, the residence card must be renewed every 5 years.
There are two pathways to obtain Cyprus residency, both overseen by the Civil Registry & Migration Department (CRMD) of the Ministry of Interior:
- Long term residence (non-EU citizens): Available to non-EU nationals who’ve lived in Cyprus for at least 5 years. Short breaks don’t affect eligibility. This includes absences for work, study, health, maternity, or compulsory military service.
- EU/EEA citizens and their family members: After residing legally in Cyprus for 5 years, EU/EEA citizens gain the right of permanent residence and can request a Permanent Residence Certificate. This includes non-EU family members.
What are the benefits of a Cypriot residency permit?
Once you have Cyprus residency, you can live in the country just like a Cypriot, with a few minor exceptions. For instance, you won’t be able to vote or hold public office. In any case, permanent residence gives you the right to stay in Cyprus indefinitely, and your status is officially documented with a long term residence or PR card. You will have the right to work in Cyprus without requiring separate work permits, access the Cypriot public education and healthcare system same as Cyprus nationals. Plus, long term residence is a stepping stone towards applying for Cyprus citizenship later on.
Cyprus residency vs long term residence
What we are referring to as Cyprus residency is what most countries, such as Denmark, understand by “permanent residence.”
But Cyprus uses the term “permanent residence” primarily for its national policies, most famously the investment-based Golden Visa for non-EU nationals.
Conversely, for non-EU nationals who are in Cyprus, the official term that expats will be interested in is actually called long term residence. That's why when you search for “Cyprus permanent residence,” you’ll mostly find information about those specific cases.
In more detail: The term long term residence (no hyphens!) is a specific EU-defined status for non-EU nationals who have lived legally in Cyprus for five years and meet integration requirements. It’s the closest equivalent to a standard permanent residence status in the Netherlands or Belgium.
Then there’s also the matter of investing until you become a resident. Permanent residence through investment is commonly known as a “Golden Visa,” much like in Portugal. Until 2020, Cyprus offered citizenship by investment, but that program has since been discontinued. If you’re interested in obtaining residency through investment, you can learn more on our Cyprus Golden Visa page.
When can you apply for a Cyprus residency permit?
Just like Spain, Portugal or Ireland, you only need 5 years of temporary residence to apply for Cyprus residency. This stands for both non-EU and EU nationals. Short absences won’t break this period as long as each absence is less than six months and doesn’t exceed 10 months over the 5 years. Non-EU family members of EU citizens should apply for their permanent residence card within one month of their current card expiring.
Some exceptions don’t count toward the 5 years if you’re a non-EU national applying for long term residence, such as:
- Students or people in vocational training programs
- Those living in Cyprus for protection (other than international protection) or who have applied for it
- Asylum seekers
- People staying temporarily for other reasons
- Individuals covered by diplomatic conventions
The Greek language and socio-political tests
The language requirement depends on the type of residence. EU/EAA citizens and their non-EU family members don’t require a Greek language exam. However, third country nationals applying for the long term residence permit must show an A2 level in Greek and basic knowledge of Cyprus’ contemporary political and social reality as part of the eligibility criteria.
The Greek language test at The Greek Language Centre cost €90 while the contemporary and political reality examination costs €20.
✍️ Quick note on language variations
Standard Modern Greek spoken in Greece is different from Cypriot Greek in how it is pronounced, what words it uses, and how it is put together. The two are close, but not exactly the same. Since Cyprus's Greek is similar to Greece’s, the official language test is given at a Greek center around the world and is based on Standard Greek. In practice, this means that if you’ve only picked up Greek by chatting with locals during your 5-year stay, it may not be enough. In order to pass the test, you'll need to study in Standard Greek.
What documents are required to apply for a Cyprus residency permit?
While each type of Cyprus residency application has its own specific requirements, the documents needed across all three cases are:
- Valid passport/ID
- Proof of residence/income
- Health insurance
- Clean criminal record from the Cypriot police and the country of origin
- Civil status certificates (translated/apostilled)
Plus, all documents accompanying application forms should be officially translated and duly certified/ratified. The specifics for each status are the following:
Non-EU citizens
To apply for long term residence after 5 years of continuous residence, you must submit:
- Completed application form (MIP1)
- Proof of accommodation in Cyprus
- Health insurance covering all risks in Cyprus
- Certificate of basic knowledge of Greek language
- Certificate of Cyprus political and social reality.
EU/EEA citizens and family members
EU citizens are required to show:
- Completed application form (MEU3)
- Certificate of Registration (yellow slip) issued when first registering
Non-EU family members of EU citizens
For the residency Card (after 5 years of residence) family members of EU citizens must submit:
- Application form (MEU3)
- Proof of cohabitation and shared address (utility bills, lease agreements, etc.)
Where do you apply for the Cyprus residency?
You apply for the Cyprus residency in person, on each city’s immigration unit. A lawyer can submit the paperwork for you. That’s also a good reason to connect with immigration experts who can walk you through the process. If you wanted to try to do it online, the site does not even seem to load, so you should stick to the in-person method.
What are Cyprus residency permit fees?
The cost of getting a Cyprus residency permit depends on your nationality of origin. Let’s have a look:
Can your family members get permanent residency?
Yes, in most cases, your family can be included in your Cyprus residency application, provided they meet the requirements and submit supporting documents—both EU citizens and non.
What if your application is rejected
If your Cyprus residency application is refused, you’re not left without options. Under the Constitution of Cyprus, you have the right to challenge any administrative decision by filing a recourse before the Administrative Court, as provided in Article 146. This legal remedy allows you to ask the court to review the decision and ensure it complies with the law and principles of good administration.
Get expert help with your Cyprus residency application
While Cyprus doesn’t put up extra barriers for immigrants, steering through foreign bureaucracy in another language can still be draining. This is especially true in Cyprus, where some official online resources don’t even work! So, as an expat, you can save time, stress, and mistakes by getting help from a professional, so think about asking for help with your application.
One of the best ways to begin your Cyprus residency journey is finding a job and an employer in Cyprus willing to help you along the way. Another excellent way is to connect with immigration experts who have helped other expats relocate to Cyprus and qualify for the residency permit.
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