If you are planning on relocating then you will need to know about residency in Cyprus. The immigration laws are different depending on your nationality however, we have created this easy to follow guide so you have all the basic information you need.
Temporary Residence in Cyprus
There are different types of residency, temporary or permanent. To start we will quickly go through why you may need to apply for a temporary permit.
For employment – You will need to apply for a resident permit once you arrive in the country. However, this does not automatically mean you can work. Dependent on your nationality you may need to apply for a Cyprus Work Permit and Work Visa.
For studying – If you are a foreign student you will need apply for a Study Visa. You will be unable to work full-time on this visa.
For family reunification – If you are a non-EU family member of a Cyprus citizen or resident you will be given a temporary residence permit upon arrival.
Residency in Cyprus for EU Nationals
If you are an EU citizen and plan to take up employment whilst stay in Cyprus for more than three months you will need to do the following:
- Apply for an Alien Registration Certificate, also known as ARC. You can do this by making an appointment at your local immigration office. In order to gain the ARC, you will need to prove that you have secure employment or the financial means to support yourself without working.
- You will need also need to supply a social insurance number.
- Take a valid passport or identity card with you to the appointment.
- Document of Engagement of Employment which must be stamped by the Labour Department
As an EU or EFTA citizen you are not required to apply for a work permit.
Permanent Residency in Cyprus
In order to gain permanent resident in Cyprus (excluding naturalization) you will need to purchase property. This property must be newly constructed with the sole vendor being a developer.
Regarding the price, the property must be at least €300,000 excluding VAT and a minimum of €200,000, excluding VAT must be paid.
Additionally, the person who is applying for permanent residency in Cyprus must deposit €30,000 in to a Cypriot bank account. This money will be blocked for at least 3 years and be deposited from a foreign bank account.
Finally, if you are applying for permanent residency you will need to provide evidence of a clean criminal record. This evidence cannot be issued longer than 3 months prior to the application.
Conclusion
This guide to residency in Cyprus is a brief outline to what you can expect when applying for temporary or permanent residency in Cyprus. We always suggest that you contact a professional who can advise you further on your applications and the processes in Cyprus.