Cyprus residency in 2024. How to get Cyprus residency.

Cyprus residency 2023

Gaining Cyprus residency is more straightforward than you might think.

The legal aspects of the immigration process are uncomplicated, and it's possible to gain residency in a relatively short period of time.

However, it's important to mention, you will need to know what type of visa you may need to apply for and what documentation you have to provide.

To help you throughout the process, we have created this article to cover everything you need to know about Cyprus residency in 2023 (with the new legislation changes as of May 2023).

We will also include the reasons why moving to Cyprus benefits both EU and non-EU nationals while being an advantageously hassle-free procedure.

We will include the following sections:

Immigration to Cyprus: temporary and permanent residency
Temporary residency for EU nationals
Temporary residency for non-EU nationals
Permanent residency for non-EU nationals
Permanent residency by naturalisation
Cyprus permanent residency (Cyprus Golden Visa)
Permanent residency by investment
Cyprus permanent residency benefits

Immigration to Cyprus: temporary and permanent residency

One of the most challenging aspects of immigrating is dealing with the immigration process, the paperwork, and finding out what documents are needed in the procedure.

Going through this process alone can feel overwhelming, so we recommend doing your research beforehand and consulting with services like ours to take some pressure off yourself.

Beneficially for those looking to move to Cyprus, the immigration process is quite straightforward, for both EU and non-EU citizens.

We have detailed how you can successfully obtain Cypriot residency in this article and listed immigration rules to be aware of.

EU nationals moving to Cyprus

EU and EEA citizens can freely enter, reside and work in Cyprus without a short-stay visa for up to three months (90 days).

Additionally, during this time, it is possible to participate in economic activities with no paperwork necessary to complete.

However, if EU/EEA nationals want to stay in Cyprus for over three months, they must obtain a registration certificate, aka yellow slip.

Temporary residency for EU nationals (Yellow Slip)

All EU nationals must apply for a "registration certificate" to temporarily live and work legally in Cyprus. This is commonly known as the Yellow Slip Cyprus.

The registration certificate got its name from the yellow paper on which it is printed.

This slip is available to European (EU and EEA) citizens who want to extend their stay in Cyprus for specific reasons.

Cyprus Temporary Residence Permit for EU nationals (Yellow Slip)

How do I get a yellow slip?

Applying for a yellow slip (work permit) in Cyprus is typically a straightforward process.

No matter what you prefer to call it, the next section will cover what is required from you to receive the correct registration certificate in Cyprus.

NB: If you are a foreign national, not an EU/EEA national, you have other requirements before acquiring a work permit.

Non-EU/EEA citizens must obtain a different residency permit in Cyprus. We will cover that in more detail in this article.

What are the required documents for the yellow slip?

You must complete the application form (MEU51) at the immigration office. Furthermore, the documents you need to apply for a yellow slip are as follows.

Two passport photographs.
Your valid passport or photocopies (with expiry and details clearly visible).
Proof of address. Copies of your rental agreement or apartment/house sale agreement (the rental agreement needs to be for 1-year minimum and a copy of it stamped at the tax office, certified by Muhtar or certifying officer.
Application fee of €20.
Children/s Birth Certificates duly certified and translated (if applicable).
Proof of Marriage Certificate duly certified and translated (if applicable).
Bank statements showing proof of a Cyprus bank account or bank statements from abroad (if applicable).
A confirmation letter and a payslip from the employer (if applicable).
If you are working in Cyprus: 1. Confirmation letter from employer; 2. Social Insurance registration and annual income certificate, 3. The employer needs to sign the form.
Immigration Medical Insurance (for a free quote click here).

Further information for Cyprus yellow slip

The Cyprus government fee for first-time applications or renewals for a yellow slip is €20 (for each person).
The Cyprus yellow slip does not expire and you do not have to renew it.
We recommend hiring an immigration lawyer to assist you through the application process to make your process as easy as possible.
It is advisable to have your necessary insurance coverage arranged in advance.

To see our in-depth article about the Cyprus Yellow Slip, see here.

Temporary Residency for non-EU nationals (Pink Slip)

All non-EU nationals are required to obtain a short-stay visa for temporary residency in Cyprus.

Whether you are planning to travel to Cyprus for business or leisure, there is an option for you.

All visa types are valid for 90 days and foreign nationals can use them to enter Cyprus one or more times during these 3 months.

However, if the short stay extends to more than 90 days, foreign nationals must apply for the pink slip. This permit allows temporary residency on the island (usually for one year).

Similarly to the yellow slip, the pink slip received its name from the color of the paper it is printed on.

The pink slip is a residence permit that allows non-EU residents to temporarily stay in Cyprus.

Depending on the purpose of travel, travelers can choose from the following residence permit categories:

Visitor Visa
Student Visa
Employment Visa

Temporary Residence Permit Cyprus for non-EU nationals (Pink Slip)

Visitor Pink Slip/ Visitor Visa

The visitor's visa is applicable when a non-EU resident fulfills the following criteria:

A Cypriot citizen's parents-in-law.
A foreign-born child of Cypriot descent.
Marridge to a Cypriot citizen.
A person who does not require a work permit, and who has enough funds not to work in Cyprus for up to 4 years.

Student Pink Slip/Student Visa

The student visa is specifically for foreign students coming from outside of the EU. They must be enrolled in a Cyprus university or educational institution for long-term studies.

The students should begin the student visa application process from their home country via an official Cyprus Embassy or Consulate.

Employment Pink Slip/ Employment Visa

The employment visa is specifically aimed at workers with the qualifications and skills required by a company based in Cyprus.

In this scenario, the employer must apply on their foreign employee's behalf.

The employer must do this at the Civil Registry and Migration Department, or the District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit.

The employee must also personally complete the appropriate paperwork and register at the District Office above.

What documents are required for pink slip applications?

You will have to complete the necessary application form (MVIS3) at the immigration office to apply for a temporary residency.

Depending on the purpose of the request, you will also need to submit the following documents:

4 passport photographs.
Application fee of €140.
Passport photocopies, specifically the first page and the last entry stamp.
Bank statements to prove funds or sources of income.
Employment contract copies or certificates.
Marriage certificate, and apostille translation (if applicable).
Children's birth certificate, and apostille translation (if applicable).
Immigration Medical Insurance (for a free quote click here).

Further information for Cyprus pink slip

The registration and application fee for a pink slip is €70, for each family member.
The fee is payable only for the first time of application. If you need to renew your pink slip, you will be charged a further €70.
It’s advisable to hire an immigration lawyer to assist you throughout the process and to have the necessary insurance coverage arranged in advance.

To see our article that covers Pink Slip in detail, see here.

Permanent residency for non-EU nationals

All non-EU residents need to obtain an immigration permit to reside in Cyprus permanently.

Foreign migrants can apply for a long-term residency permit if they fall into one of the following categories.

Categories A-D

This category is specifically for non-EU members who plan to work as self-employed in agriculture, related areas, trades, or professions, including science.

Category E

This category is specifically for foreigners who have been offered permanent employment in the country.

The company hiring the foreign national must prove that this will not create undue local competition and there were no Cypriot citizens suitable for the role.

To apply for one of the above

To obtain one of the permits suitable for your needs, you need to submit the M.67 permit, plus the required documents according to your category and migration circumstances.

Permanent residency by naturalisation

Both EU and non-EU residents who have legally resided in Cyprus for 5 consecutive years are eligible to be granted permanent residency.

This is known as the naturalization scheme (M127) based on the cumulative years of residence in Cyprus.

Cyprus permanent residency (Cyprus Golden Visa)

The Cyprus Golden Visa, or “the Scheme for Naturalisation of Investors,” is also known as the Cyprus Permanent Residency.

The golden visa in Cyprus is a legal status that allows non-EU citizens to reside permanently in Cyprus with zero limitations.

This visa also allows the applicant's eligible dependents (spouses and family members) to enter and remain in the country as permanent residents.

The “Scheme for Naturalisation of Investors” aimed to boost the nation’s economy with large-scale investments.

Regulation 6.2 was introduced in the country, aiming to attract foreign investors to boost the nation’s economy while granting them the right to permanent residency if they met the criteria.

Since its launch in 2016, the scheme has successfully granted Cypriot citizenship to over 3,000 investors.

The island country attracts many foreign investors with one of the best investment programs worldwide.

Beneficially, the residency holder does not need to renew the golden visa once it has been granted, as the permit does not expire.

To see our article that covers Golden Visa in-depth, see here.

Permanent residency by investment

Changes to the permanent residency criteria were made on May 2nd, 2023, to strengthen the immigration by investment system.

How to get Cyprus citizenship by investment

Acquiring citizenship by investment should not be confused with the CIP investment scheme (which has ended).

Category 6.2

PR permits can be issued to non-EU applicants of category 6.2 if they meet one of the investment criteria below.

The applicant must make a minimum investment of €300,000 in one of the categories below:

Residential real estate investment

Purchase of a new (non-resale - sold for the first time) apartment or house worth €300,000 at minimum (plus VAT - 19%) from a land development company.

Commercial real estate investment

Purchase of a commercial form of property (new or resale) worth €300,000* at minimum, such as a shop, office, hotel, development, or a combination of any.

*This particular amount (total or partial) can come from sources originating from within the Republic, so long as these funds are taxed in the country.

Acquisition of shares of a company based in Cyprus

Invest in the share capital of a company based in Cyprus (€300,000 or more), one with at least five employees, with a proven physical presence (i.e. economic substance).

Invest units in Cyprus Collective Investment Organization

Invest in a Cyprus Collective Investment Organization's units (at least €300,000) in AIF, RAIF, AIFLNP.

Investment requirements

The money invested in the country can come from salary, rent, pensions, stock dividends, or fixed deposits.
This amount may also include the income of the applicant’s spouse with proof of where the money has come from.
The applicant must provide evidence of tax declarations from the country where they are a tax resident.
The investment amount must be transferred to the vendor’s bank account in Cyprus.
The investor must continue to hold the investment or immediately replace it with another investment of the same or greater value, as stated by the conditions of the criteria.

Cyprus permanent residency benefits

There are numerous benefits to having a permanent Cyprus residency (Cyprus PR).

Having the same rights as Cypriot citizens is the most advantageous of all benefits when obtaining permanent residency.

Not to mention, the island country's high standard of living and attractive year-round sunshine are just some of the many perks of residing in Cyprus.

You will have access to these additional benefits with Cyprus PR.

PR in Cyprus is an unlimited residency, therefore it is permanently valid.
Living in Cyprus legally for five-seven years allows persons to apply for Citizenship.
Dependents are also welcome to apply for permanent residency.
Citizens are entitled to free healthcare with the general healthcare system.
The PR holder can apply to become a Cyprus tax resident (with the additional benefits and incentives that come with it).

To find out the full details of permanent residency, including immigration fees, who is eligible to apply, and higher value investments, see our guide here.

Cyprus residency summary

In summary, as detailed above, the immigration process in Cyprus differs for EU residents and non-EU citizens. For both nationals, the procedures are relatively straightforward.

EU/EEA nationals are allowed access to Cyprus simply by showing their valid passport.

EU nationals/residents who wish to extend their stay (past 90 days) need to apply for a Registration Certificate commonly known as the yellow slip, which they need to reside and work legally in Cyprus.

The registration process to legally reside in Cyprus should take place at the official Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.

EU nationals do not need to undergo the usual application procedure for a non-EU residence permit. The process is relatively straightforward and typically won't be rejected.

They do, however, have to provide evidence they will not become a financial burden for the Cypriot economy, especially considering health care and the social system.

All non-EU nationals are required to obtain a short-stay visa for temporary residency in Cyprus. As detailed above, the options are student visas, visitor visas, or employment visas.

All visa types are valid for 90 days and foreign nationals can use them to enter Cyprus during these 3 months.

If foreign nationals need to extend their short stay for more than 90 days, they must apply for the pink slip. This permit allows temporary residency on the island.

The pink slip is a residence permit granting non-EU residents the right to reside in Cyprus for 4 years. As detailed above, they will need to meet specific legal requirements for this permit.

For permanent residency, the Cyprus government allows certain individuals to obtain Cypriot citizenship through investing in the country's economy.

All non-EU residents must obtain an immigration permit to reside in Cyprus permanently.

If the foreign migrant falls into one of the categories above (Categories A-D, E) they can apply for long-term residency permits.

The Cyprus Golden Visa, also known as “the Scheme for Naturalisation of Investors”, is a legal status that allows non-EU citizens to reside permanently in Cyprus with zero limitations.

This scheme aimed to increase large-scale investments in the country to boost the nation's economy and it's an attractive incentive for investors.

The island country's location has many benefits for international business.

Cyprus offers a high standard of living, great healthcare systems, excellent education institutions, tax benefits, and initiatives making it attractive for investors worldwide.

EU and non-EU residents are eligible for permanent residency through the naturalization scheme (M127) if they have legally resided in Cyprus for 5 to 7 consecutive years

Once citizens have obtained their residency, they will have the opportunity to make the most of Cyprus' economic potential and enjoy the privileges of Cypriot citizens.

Immigration insurance for Cyprus residency

If you are aiming to move to Cyprus while applying for citizenship, it's important to note that immigration insurance is mandatory for non-EU citizens.

Moreover, you may need both health insurance coverage and immigration insurance coverage. You could face costly medical and legal fees without the right insurance.

You can obtain both from us with policies starting from €120. Pitsas Insurances immigration insurance policies are one of the most competitive in Cyprus.

Moreover, you can apply for insurance from the comfort of your home with our dedicated team to help you.

We provide:

Extensive and immediate coverage of outpatient & inpatient expenses.
Competitive packages for families.
Free legal advice.

We can also provide coverage for pensioners up to 80 years old.

You can find more details about our immigration packages on our website.

Immigration insurance quote

When obtaining an insurance policy for Cyprus citizenship, it's worth knowing your options.

For a hassle-free quote, see here.

Pitsas Insurances

Limassol, Cyprus

15/12/2022

Updated 20/7/2023 (including the legislation changes as of May this year).