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Cyprus Permanent Residency For Eu Citizens

A. Panayiotou LLC > Cyprus Permanent Residency For Eu Citizens
Cyprus Permanent Residency For Eu Citizens

Cyprus Permanent Residency For Eu Citizens

Cyprus has become an attractive destination for many EU citizens due to the many benefits provided.

As a member of the European Union, Cyprus allows residents from other EU countries to apply for permanent residence permit.

The registration of citizens of the E.U., E.E.A. and Switzerland (Union) and their family members who are also citizens of the Union is provided by the Law regarding the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Republic.

  • EU citizens and their family members who are also EU citizens, who accompany or joining the Union citizen, have the right for residence in Cyprus for a period of up to 3 months without any conditions or any formalities other than the requirement to hold a valid Passport or identity card.
  • EU citizens who wish to stay longer than 3 months, must be either working, be self – employed, be studying, have sufficient resources for themselves and their families, or be family members of someone who meets these conditions.

Registration Certificate – Yellow Slip:

Every EU citizen who intends to stay and work in Cyprus for over 3 months should apply for a Registration Certificate, often referred to as a Yellow Slip.

The procedure is initiated with the MEU1 form (available in both Greek and English) that should be completed and submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department of the district where the EU resident intends to reside. The form must be signed by both the Employer and the Employee (if the EU citizen will be taking up employment).

Along with the MEU1 application form, the EU resident should provide the following supporting documents which must be officially translated and duly certified:

  1. Copy of a Valid Passport or Identity Card (the original passport or identity card must also be presented to the authorities upon submission)
  2. Marriage Certificate or Civil Partnership. If the marriage or civil partnership took place abroad, EU nationals should provide a duly certified and translated certificate. (the original certificate should be presented to the authorities upon submission) (where applicable).
  3. Divorce Certificate or dissolution of Civil Partnership or Death Certificate must be duly certified and translated (where applicable).
  4. Birth Certificate of child(ren), duly certified and translated (where applicable)
  5. Salary Certificate (where applicable)
  6. Certificate of registration of the European citizen with the Social Insurance Services and a detailed statement of contributions to the Social Insurance Fund stating the last employer and salary. For a self-employed person, a certificate of payment of contributions to the Social Insurance Fund is required for the last four (4) months.
  7. A Union citizen who pays Social Insurance in another European country must present form A1 (social security certificate) and health insurance covering inpatient, outpatient and body transport costs (plan A).
  8. If the applicant worked in the Republic and is not currently working, a certificate from the Department of Labour must be submitted that he/she is involuntarily unemployed, he/she is a person seeking employment and has exercised professional activity in the last one (1) year in the Republic and health insurance covering medical care, inpatient, outpatient and body transport costs (plan A) or a Certificate of Registration with the GHS and body transport costs (plan A).
  9. Title Deed of Immovable Property or Rental Document, duly stamped by the Superintendent of Stamping and certified by a certifying officer regarding the signatures of landlord and tenant and original rent payment receipts. (The rental document should indicate the name of the owner and tenants, ID number, ARC of foreigner / European and contact numbers), as well as the address which will be the official postal address and the contact address with the department and an original utility bill e.g. Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Water Supply, in the name of the tenant.

In order to proceed with the submission of an application, the required fees must be paid.

During the application process a photograph is captured, after presenting the receipt issued for submission and a valid travel document.

When the approval for the Registration Certificate is obtained, then the certificate will be sent by post.

In case of rejection of the application, a letter will be sent at the latest declared address, stating the reasons for the rejection.

Non compliance with the requirement of applying for a Registration Certificate shall render the person concerned liable to a financial penalty up to two thousand and five hundred euro.

Application Fees
The application fees for Union citizens and their family members who are also Union citizens is €20.

Examination time of an application
The examination of an application and the issuance of a decision is completed within one month at the latest, provided that the application is duly completed and all supporting documents are provided.

Duration of Registration Certificate
Registration certificates do not have an expiration date.

Access to employment
Union citizens and their family members enjoy free access to employment, including employed or self-employed activity.

Permanent Residence Permit – After 5 years:

EU citizens who have resident in Cyprus for five continuous years can apply for permanent residence certificate.

MEU3 form should be completed and submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department.

Along with the MEU3 form, the EU resident should attach a proof of continuous residence in Cyprus of five years and that they have not become a burden on the social assistance system of the Republic of Cyprus during their period of residence.

In addition, the following documents should be accompanied along with the application form and which must be officially translated and duly certified:

  1. Copy of a valid passport or identity card (the original passport or identity card must also be presented upon submission).
  2. Copy of the applicant's Registration Certificate (MEU1).
  3. Marriage certificate or Civil Partnership.  If the marriage or civil partnership took place abroad, they must be duly certified and translated (the original is required at the time of submission) (where applicable).
  4. Divorce certificate or dissolution of civil partnership or death certificate (the original is required upon submission). Foreign documents, duly certified and translated (where applicable).
  5. Birth certificate of child(ren), duly certified and translated (where applicable)
  6. Detailed statement of the applicant's contributions to the Social Insurance Fund, per month, for the last five years (also applies to pensioners) and Tax Returns to the Tax Department for the last five years.
  7. Evidence of stable or satisfactory income for the last five years (bank account activity of the last quarter, remittances, pension, bank accounts, rents, dividends, interest on deposits, etc.).
  8. Electricity and Water Supply accounts for the last five years in the name of the applicant.
  9. Title Deed of Immovable Property or Rental Document, duly stamped by the Superintendent of Stamping and certified by a certifying officer regarding the signatures of landlord and tenant and original rent payment receipts.  (The rental document should indicate the name of the owner and tenants, ID number, ARC of foreigner / European and contact numbers), as well as the address which will be the official postal address and the contact address with the Department and an original utility bill (except mobile phone) e.g. Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Water Supply, in the name of the tenant.

In order to proceed with the submission of an application, the required fees must be paid.

During the application process a photograph is captured, after presenting the receipt issued for submission and a valid travel document.

In case of approval, the Permanent Residence Certificate will be issued and sent by post.

In case of rejection of the application, a letter will be sent at the latest declared address, stating the reasons for the rejection.  Updating their address is the absolute responsibility of the applicants, in order to receive the rejection letter and possible submission of a hierarchical course within the timeline provided by the Law.

Application Fees

The application fees Union citizens and their family members who are also Union citizens is €20.

Examination time of an application

The examination of an application and the issuance of a decision is completed within one month, provided that the application is duly completed and all supporting documents are provided. This time limit shall not apply and the examination time shall be increased, if the application is not duly completed and documents are missing.  During the examination of the application, the authorities may conduct interviews of the applicants, or request further documentation, whenever this is deemed necessary.

Duration of Permanent Residence certificate:

Permanent Residence Certificate do not have an expiration date.

How Can a Lawyer Help?

  1. Clarification of Legal Requirements:Although the process may seem straightforward, there are nuances in the law that could be complex. Lawyers are able to clarify and explain the particulars of Cyprus's immigration laws.
  2. Preparation of Documentation:Lawyers ensure that all your documentation is complete, efficient and properly organized, minimizing the chances of application rejection due to incomplete or incorrect form-filling.
  3. Representation:In any legal situation, having a professional represent you is invaluable. This is especially true if there are any complications or disputes regarding the residency application.
  4. Staying Updated:Immigration laws and policies can change. Lawyers, especially those specializing in immigration, are usually updated with the latest changes, ensuring compliance with the most recent regulations.

Conclusion:

Obtaining permanent residency in Cyprus for EU citizens is a structured process governed by specific legislation. While the process can be managed individually, seeking assistance from a qualified lawyer can simplify the procedure and avoid delays and possible rejection for not providing the completed forms. EU citizens considering making Cyprus their long-term home, it's essential to familiarize their self with the legal requirements and consider seeking professional assistance to navigate the process smoothly.