Moving to Cyprus
Step-by-step Immigration Guide

Cyprus, with its stunning landscapes, rich history, and Mediterranean charm, is an attractive destination for those looking to relocate. Whether you're drawn to its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, or the low cost of living, Cyprus has much to offer. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps of moving to Cyprus.

Whether you need a visa to move to Cyprus depends on your country of residence:

1. EU/EEA Citizens: If you are from an EU/EEA country, you can freely enter Cyprus with a valid passport or another travel document. You can stay for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
2. Non-EU/EEA Citizens: If you are from a non-EU/EEA country, you must apply for a Cyprus visa to enter and stay in the country.

EU/EEA citizens have the privilege of moving to Cyprus for over three months (90 days) without requiring a visa. Cyprus, being a member of the EU, grants EU citizens the same rights as its own residents.
If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you must register your stay at the Civil Registry and Migration Department and obtain a Registration Certificate, often referred to as a Yellow Slip.

Non-EU/EEA citizens who wish to move to Cyprus for more than 90 days must obtain a long-stay visa, also known as a national visa. Here's the process:

1. Apply for a Visa: Apply for a Cyprus visa at the nearest Cypriot embassy or consulate in your home country before your move.
2. Temporary Residence Permit: Within seven days of arriving in Cyprus, you must apply for a temporary residence permit. The application process depends on your intended place of residence:

• If you plan to live in the Nicosia District, apply at the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
• If you intend to live in another district, visit the respective District Immigration Unit.

You can move to Cyprus for various reasons, including work, study, or family reunification.

If your goal is to work in Cyprus, follow these steps:

1. Obtain a Work Permit: Your prospective employer in Cyprus will apply for a work permit on your behalf once you secure a job offer.
2. Apply for a Work Visa: After obtaining your work permit, apply for a Cyprus work visa at the nearest Cypriot embassy or consulate in your home country.
3. Temporary Residence Permit: After your arrival in Cyprus, apply for a temporary residence permit within seven days. You should register with the local District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police Department or the Central Offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia. After five years under a temporary residence permit, you can apply for permanent residency.

If you are a remote worker, you can also consider applying for a digital nomad visa to work remotely in Cyprus.

Moving to Cyprus for educational purposes involves obtaining a student visa:

1. Acceptance from an Educational Institution: You must first be accepted by a recognized educational institution in Cyprus before applying for a student visa.
2. Visa Application: Your educational institution will assist you in obtaining the necessary student visa. Once you arrive in Cyprus on a student visa, apply at the Cyprus Migration Department for a temporary residence permit, allowing you to live and study in Cyprus for more than 90 days.

The temporary residence permit is typically valid for one year and can be renewed annually throughout the duration of your studies.

If you wish to join a family member who is already living in Cyprus, you can apply for a family visa. To be eligible for family reunification, you must meet specific criteria, including:

• The sponsoring family member in Cyprus must have legally resided in Cyprus for at least two years.
• At the time of your application, the sponsor must hold a valid residence permit for at least one year.
• If you are a spouse, your marriage must be at least one year old at the time of application.
• Dependent children must be unmarried and between 18 and 25 years old, with no intention of taking up paid employment in Cyprus.
• After entering Cyprus, you must register with the Civil Registry and Migration Department within seven days. They will issue a residence permit, which is valid for one year and can be renewed as long as the sponsor's residence permit remains valid.

Cyprus offers numerous advantages and some challenges:

If you plan to bring your pets to Cyprus, you have several options: cabin baggage, excess baggage, or manifested cargo. It's essential to follow specific requirements and procedures:

Requirements for Pet Transportation:

1. Microchip Identification: Each pet must have an electronic microchip that complies with ISO standards 11784 and 11785 for proper identification.
2. Rabies Vaccination: All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination should be administered when the pet is at least 12 weeks old.
3. Rabies Antibody Titration Test: If you are traveling from outside the EU, your pets must undergo a rabies antibody titration test.
4. Veterinary Health Certificate: An official veterinary health certificate must accompany your pets.
5. EU Pet Passport: If you are traveling from within the EU, your pets must have an EU pet passport.

Banned Breeds in Cyprus:
Cyprus has restrictions on certain dog breeds, and the following breeds are banned:

• Pit Bull Terrier.
• Japanese Tosa.
• Dogo Argentino.
• Fila Brasileiro.

By adhering to these regulations and guidelines, you can ensure a smooth process when moving your belongings and pets to Cyprus, allowing you to settle into your new home with peace of mind.

Cyprus, with its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, offers a range of attractive cities for expats to explore and call home. Here's a closer look at some of the popular cities in Cyprus:

When it comes to moving your belongings to Cyprus, you have two primary options: air and sea transportation. While air shipping is faster, it can be quite expensive. On the other hand, sea shipping is a more economical choice, albeit slower. Here are some key considerations and regulations for shipping to Cyprus:

Shipping Rules:

1. Inspections for Non-EU Shipments: Shipments arriving from non-EU countries are subject to inspection upon arrival in Cyprus.
2. Duty on New Items: New items imported from non-EU countries may be subject to customs duties. It's essential to declare new items accurately. Customs typically consider items owned and used for less than six months as "new."
3. Wharfage Charges: Regardless of your status, you must pay wharfage fees for your shipments.

Dutiable or Restricted Items:
Certain items are dutiable or subject to restrictions when shipping to Cyprus, including:

• Leather and fur coats/shoes.
• Alcoholic beverages (acceptable quantities may vary, e.g., up to 12 sealed bottles or up to 20 open bottles may be allowed, particularly for full container loads).

Prohibited Items:
It's important to note that Cyprus has strict regulations regarding prohibited items, including:

• Pornographic materials.
• Drugs and narcotics.

Items Prohibited in GMS Baggage/Courier Consignments:
For consignments via GMS baggage or courier services, specific items are prohibited:

• Aerosols.
• Aftershaves/perfumes/fragrances.
• Airbags.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Animals.
• Ammunition.
• Items containing petrol.
• Biological samples.
• Car batteries.
• Cash and cards.
• Cheques.
• Dangerous goods.
• Driving licenses.
• Drugs.
• Engines.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Foodstuff.
• Hazardous goods.
• Laptops.
• Lighters.
• Oils.
• Paints.
• Plants.
• Tobacco.
• Water.
• Weapons.
• Windscreens.

You can obtain permanent residency in Cyprus under the following conditions:

1. Five Years of Residence: You have resided in Cyprus for five years under a temporary residence permit. During this time, you must not have left Cyprus for more than three months continuously. Additionally, you must have a work contract for a minimum of 18 months or an open-ended contract.
2. Property Investment: Alternatively, you can obtain permanent residency by purchasing a property in Cyprus valued at least €300,000. However, specific requirements apply:

• The property must be purchased with funds from outside Cyprus.
• You must demonstrate an annual income of at least €30,000, received from outside Cyprus.
• A €30,000 deposit in a Cypriot bank account, which will be frozen for three years, is required.
• You must enter Cyprus at least once every two years.

If you have dependents, additional annual income is required for each dependent. For dependent children aged 18 to 25, they must not intend to take up paid employment in Cyprus. For dependent parents, you must have €8,000 per year for each one. To obtain a permanent residence permit, apply at a central office of the Civil Registry and Migration Department.

To become a Cypriot citizen, you can follow these steps:

1. Residency Requirement: You must have continuously resided in Cyprus for seven out of the ten years preceding your application.
2. Age Requirement: You must be over 21 years old.
3. Clean Criminal Record: You must have a clean criminal record.
4. Continuous Residency: Your residency in Cyprus must have been continuous for the year immediately before your application.

Please note that these requirements can change over time, and it's essential to verify the latest criteria when considering Cypriot citizenship.

Yes, Cyprus allows dual citizenship. You can acquire Cypriot citizenship without renouncing your previous citizenship. However, it's advisable to check with your home country's rules and regulations regarding dual citizenship before proceeding.