Yellow slip Cyprus in 2024. A comprehensive guide
Yellow Slip Cyprus
EU nationals need to apply for a "Registration Certificate" to live and work legally in Cyprus. This certificate is called "Yellow Slip".
It is called "yellow" because it is printed on a yellow paper and it is available to all European citizens who wish to extend their stay in the Republic of Cyprus for specific reasons (working, searching for property etc.).
Any national of an EU or EEA member state is considered to be a European citizen for the purpose of the yellow slip application.
This comprehensive guide will examine the Yellow Slip Cyprus and explain how you can easily acquire it.
Table of contents:
Can I work in Cyprus without a yellow slip?
When to apply for your yellow slip?
Benefits of yellow slip in Cyprus
How do I get a yellow slip in Cyprus?
Cyprus yellow slip appointment
Yellow slip requirements
Yellow slip Cyprus form
Application submission location
How to renew yellow slip in Cyprus?
How do I check my yellow slip status?
Contact information
Can I work in Cyprus without a yellow slip?
As an EU or EEA citizen, you are allowed to freely enter, reside and work in Cyprus without a short-stay visa for up to three months.
Additionally, during this time, you can participate in economic activities with no paperwork necessary to complete.
However, if you want to stay in Cyprus for longer than three months (90 days), you must obtain a registration certificate (the yellow slip).
You can register your stay at the official Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD). We cover this process more analytically below.
EU nationals do not need to undergo the usual application procedure for a non-EU residence permit. Therefore, the process is straightforward and typically won't be rejected.
Entering Cyprus as a citizen of a European Union, EEA or EFTA member (i.e. Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland) is usually hassle-free. You are allowed access to Cyprus simply by showing your valid passport.
Nevertheless, if you plan to move to and work in Cyprus, you have to apply for the yellow slip with the CRMD.
However, if you are not planning on working in Cyprus, it is not a problem. This will not prevent you from working in Cyprus in the long run.
You do, however, have to provide evidence that you will not become a financial burden for the Cypriot economy, especially considering health care and the social system.
When to apply for your yellow slip
You have to apply for a yellow slip within four months of arriving in Cyprus.
You can take up to four months to apply, however, that's unnecessary. We recommend that you start this process sooner rather than later.
You will be required to provide your yellow slip at certain locations. For example, when you open a bank account or aquire an insurance.
You can start working while the application is being approved and start your employment as soon as you have submitted it.
You might be waiting for up to 6 months to receive your certification and it can take multiple applications to get it all right.
To avoid complications, we recommend you follow the procedure in this guide.
Benefits of yellow slip in Cyprus
To begin, the yellow slip gives you the right to live and work in Cyprus for more than three months.
It also allows you the right to register your car, obtain a medical card of the general healthcare system of Cyprus, or enroll your children in a Cyprus school, for example.
The benefits of a Yellow Slip in Cyprus generally allow the certificate holder to have the same rights as Cypriot citizens.
In addition to that, these rights include full rights of stay and re-entry, worker rights, and engagement in business activities.
The EU citizens are allowed to stay and work in Cyprus with the registration certificate or remain as visitors.
However, the yellow slip is only valid for Cyprus. It does not allow the certificate holder to to live or work in other European Union countries for long-term.
If you plan to live in Cyprus for the long-term you need to apply for a yellow slip, not only because you will lose the economic benefits mentioned above but you may also get fined for staying or working illegaly in Cyprus.
How do I get a yellow slip in Cyprus?
As you will see, applying for a yellow slip (work permit) in Cyprus is straightforward if you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country.
The next section will cover what is required from you to receive the correct registration certificate in Cyprus.
If you are a foreign national and not a citizen of the countries mentioned above, you have other requirements before acquiring a work permit. You will need to obtain a different residency permit in Cyprus called Pink Slip.
Cyprus yellow slip appointment
The applicants or their official representatives need to book the submission dates of the applications.
It is recommended to book your appointment with the immigration authorities in advance. Ideally, you will book the appointment 1 month earlier than the required date of submission.
As noted earlier, the applicants are required to be present for this appointment when applying to obtain the Yellow Slip.
The application cannot be submitted exclusively by their official representative, even if the latter holds a power of attorney.
If you opt to go with a representative you both should be present at the appointment.
From the date of entry into Cyprus, the application should be submitted within four months.
Yellow slip requirements
Once you have booked your future appointment, it is time to start preparing the required paperwork.
You are welcome to ask the immigration authorities employees in the reception what you need to bring to your future appointment, but there is a chance something will be missed.
If you do not bring all the necessary documents for your first application appointment, you will need to book another one. To avoid unnecessary hassle, get everything ready in advance.
Each person applying (if you have family members also applying) will need to bring all of the necessary documents.
Here is an overview of the required documents needed for the Cyprus Yellow Slip and how to obtain the registration certificate.
Required documents:
- Two passport photos.
- The application form (MEU1) duly completed and signed.
- Copies of valid passport with expiry date and details clearly visible.
- Children/s Birth Certificates duly certified and translated (if applicable).
- Proof of Marriage Certificate duly certified and translated (if applicable).
- 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.
- 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 working abroad).
- 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.
- Proof of immigration health insurance, covering body repatriation expenses.
NB: Children/s Birth Certificates and Marriage Certificates, if applicable for your application, need to be translated into English and be apostille or certified by the Ministry of foreign affairs.
The certification needs to happen in the country of issue and by the Cyprus Embassy of that Country.
As a rule of thumb, taking 2 official copies of each document is wise.
Yellow slip Cyprus form
The Cyprus government fee for a Yellow slip Cyprus (for each person) is €20.
This fee is for first-time applications or renewals.
Application submission location
The applicant needs to apply for a Cyprus yellow slip to the Immigration Unit of the city in which they live.
If you will be living in the district of Nicosia, you should apply at the official Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.
If you will be living elsewhere, you need to apply at the correct District Immigration Unit in your place of residence.
The applications are then forwarded and examined by the official Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.
Each city's immigration unit address can be found below:
Nicosia Civil Registry and Migration Department
Agamemnonos 6, Engomi, 2411 Nicosia.
Limassol Immigration Unit
Franklin Roosevelt 223, Zakaki,
Building ¨D. Nikolaou¨, 2nd floor, 3046 Limassol.
Larnaca Immigration Unit
Piale Piasha 75, 6027 Larnaca.
Paphos Immigration Unit
Eleftheriou Venizelou & Kaningos 22, 2nd floor, 8021 Paphos.
Famagusta Immigration Unit
Eleftherias 83, Tatolos Bld, 1st floor, Derynia Plaza, 5380 Derynia.
You should visit the CRMD website, Civil Registry and Migration Department, to make an appointment via the contact information they provide.
If you are an international worker, your employer will help you with the application process, and you should ask for their assistance.
When you apply at the designated immigration unit, the Cypriot immigration authorities will take your biometrics, i.e., your fingerprints and an identity photo.
Yellow slip Cyprus online
You must apply for a yellow slip in Cyprus for non-EU members with the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia or your local district.
You must attend the application appointment at the office to carry out all necessary checks. Please find the addresses for the offices above.
Most of the application process takes place on location. You can, however, find the application form online to review, print, and complete before your appointment schedule.
You can view previous yellow slip forms and requirements here.
How to renew yellow slip in Cyprus
Unlike non-EU members' work permits, the registration certificate for European Union citizens does not expire.
As it does not expire, there is no need for EU citizens to renew a yellow slip.
How do I check my yellow slip status?
If your application is approved, or even if it isn't, you will be informed either way.
If your application has been approved, the Civil Registry and Migration Department will inform you about when you can receive your yellow slip.
If it has not been approved, they will inform you of the reason.
Immigration Consultants
There are many companies in Cyprus providing immigration services if you want to avoid the hussle of the process of acquiring a yellow slip by your own efforts.
One of the largest is Amazon Corporate and Immigration Services.
Immigration Medical Insurance
If you require immigration insurance, Pitsas Insurance can help. Our policies start from €120.
Our 'Plan A' immigration insurance policy is ideal for MEU1, MEU2, MEU3, MUKW1, MUKW2, and MUKW3 applications (Plan A, Yellow Slip).
Pitsas immigration insurance policies are the cheapest in Cyprus. Moreover, the policy can be arranged online without leaving your home.
You can find more details about our policy on our website. Use the links provided for a free quote.
Contact information
Attention: Pitsas Insurances is not a legal company. We do not provide legal services or advice on immigration issues.
This article has been written for information purposes only.
For more information, you can send an email to [email protected].
Pitsas Insurances
Nicosia, Cyprus