In light of the United Kingdom exiting the European Union on the 29th March 2019, the Civil Registration and Migration Department has published announcements for British nationals and their family members urging them to convert/acquire (their) residence status within the Republic of Cyprus.
British nationals who have been granted an Immigration Permit according to the provisions of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations before the accession of Cyprus to the EU can benefit from the frights provided under Directive 2004/38/EC (Right of Citizens of the Union and their Family Members to Move and Reside Freely within the Territory of the Member States) by replacing their current permits with so called “Yellow-Slips” (MEU1, MEU 2, MEU3), before the end of the transition period.
- According to the withdrawal agreement which covers the transition period of 30th March 2019 until the 31st December 2020, the following rights are granted:
British nationals and their family members who have been continuously resident in Cyprus for 5 years by 31st December 2020, will be eligible for permanent residence; - British nationals who are residing in Cyprus or will reside in Cyprus by 31st December 2020, but have not yet completed 5 years continuous residence will be eligible for permanent residence when they have reached the 5-year threshold. In the meantime they will be eligible for residence;
- The agreement also covers British nationals and their family members who had previously resided in Cyprus without acquiring permanent residence and who at the end of the transition period are not residing in Cyprus, provided that after the end of the transition period they will continuously reside in Cyprus;
- And British nationals and their family members who had previously resided in Cyprus and had acquired permanent residence right and who at the end of the transition period are not residing in Cyprus, provided that their absence will not exceed a period of 5 continuous years;
- Existing family members of British Nationals who are covered by the withdrawal agreement (bullet point 1-4 above) and who are living outside of Cyprus on the 31st December 2020 will be able to reunite with they family in Cyprus at any future date. These family members will also be eligible for permanent residence after they have competed the 5-year threshold;
- Children born to a British national who is covered by the withdrawal agreement (bullet point 1-4 above), after the 31st December 2020 will enjoy the same rights as the parents.
As a result of the above:
- British nationals entering the Republic of Cyprus after the 31st December 2020 will no longer be covered by the withdrawal agreement and will be subject to Cypriot immigration rules;
- Future spouses of British nationals who are covered by the withdrawal agreement (bullet point 1-4 above), will need to meet Cypriot immigration rules.
After the end of the transition period, persons holding a Yellow-Slip may request a new type of residence document which will indicate that it has been issued in accordance with the withdrawal agreement.