Yellow Slip / Temporary Residence Permit (TRE)
You will see the term ‘yellow slip’ when researching what you have to do to move to Cyprus. The yellow slip is the Cypriot residency and work permit printed on yellow paper. Once obtained, you’ll have the same living and working rights as a Cypriot.
If you are moving to Cyprus, you must apply for your yellow slip within four months of arriving and it is advised to start the process as soon as you arrive.
EU/EEA Citizens
The steps for acquiring your yellow slip is as follows:
- Book an appointment at the local immigration office to apply for a work permit.
- Attend your appointment, brining with you all the documentation as instructed when you booked your appointment. This is why it’s important to make lots of copies of all your official documents before you leave the UK.
- If everything is in order you will either receive your yellow slip straight away or be able to pick it up at an arranged date in the near future.
Immigration Offices
Larnaca Police Station, Piale Pasia, Larnaca (Telephone No. 24-804 242);
Limassol Police Station, Kyrillou Loukareos, Kakos Center, Limassol (Telephone No. 25-805 200);
Nicosia Police Station, Parodos Leoforou, RIC, Nicosia (Telephone No. 22-802 348);
Paphos Police Station,Ypolohagou N.Papageorgiou, Polykatikia, PA.SY.DI First Floor, 8011 Paphos (Telephone No. 26-806 200).
Property
Buying
If you are considering buying property in Cyprus, you should research thoroughly in advance and be completely happy with the process before you start. If you enter into buying a property in Cyprus carefully and with the right legal advice, buying your new home in Cyprus should be a relatively straightforward process.
At a glance, when considering buying a property in Cyprus you should:
- Make sure you have your finances in order and have added the additional fees – usually totally around 10% of the property price – to your budget.
- Contract an independent, English-speaking lawyer to act on your behalf right at the beginning of your search. Make sure they are not acting on behalf of a vendor or builder but completely independently.
- Proceed with an estate agent who is a member of the Cyprus Real Estate Agents Association (CREAA), which since 2004 is a legal requirement.
- Find a surveyor to work alongside your lawyer to complete all the relevant checks.
- Understand that the issuing of title deeds will take some time.
If you know people who have bought property on the island, then speak to them to get their views on the agent they used and the process itself. Personal feedback is always really useful.
A couple of useful sites are:
Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP)
Renting
Renting in Cyprus is fairly straightforward and both short term and long term rentals are available. There is the option for furnished or partly furnished, as in the UK, and most accommodation comes with a fitted kitchen.
Make sure you understand:
- The letting period and get out clause
- The deposit sum
- The agency fees
- What facilities are included in the rent of the property
Rental properties can be searched for online, estate agents, newspapers, local supermarkets and more.
Healthcare
Cyprus healthcare is considered very good and there is both the public and private healthcare option available.
Public
EU/EEA Citizens who work are eligible for free or low cost state healthcare in Cyprus. You can receive a state medical card when they register for social insurance (contributions are taken from their social security payments.)
Private
Non-EU/EEA Citizens who are unable to take advantage of state health benefits, or those who prefer to take out private health insurance, should pay careful attention to the healthcare plan they sign up for. There are lots of private healthcare plans in Cyprus and it is commonplace to take these out, so just make sure they cover your specific needs.
Employment
EU/EEA Citizens
EU/EEA citizens are entitled to work in Cyprus and can seek work for a period of up to 90 days with just a passport or identity card. However, for those who are moving to Cyprus permanently, you should begin the application process for a temporary residence permit (TRE) or ‘yellow slip’ as soon as possible.
Non-EU Citizens
Non-EU and EEA citizens require a work permit before arriving in Cyprus. In order for a non-EU citizen to gain a work permit, the Ministry of Labour must be satisfied that there isn’t a Cypriot or an EU citizen available for the job in question.
Pensions
UK Pension
Your state pension is claimable and payable in Cyprus if you’ve paid enough UK National Insurance contributions to qualify.
For full information and help on your pension, contact the International Pension Centre.
Republic of Cyprus Retirement Pension
If you have worked in Cyprus for an amount of time, then you might be eligible for a Republic of Cyprus Retirement Pension.
For more information, consult the Cyprus Government Web Portal.
Benefits
The UK has a benefit arrangement with Cyprus, which means some benefits can still be claimed once you have moved to Cyprus.
For full information and help on which benefits can be claimed and who to contact, see the GOV.UK site.
Cyprus Contribution-Based Benefits
If you work – and therefore make social security contributions out of your pay – in Cyprus, then you are entitled to Cyprus social security benefits. These benefits include unemployment benefit and permanent and temporary incapacity benefit.
For more information, consult the Cyprus Government Web Portal.
Tax
Britain has a double taxation agreement with Cyprus. This ensures that you don’t pay tax twice (in the country where you live and the country where the money is earned, if they are different).
Tax is a complicated element to the moving process, so make sure you seek advice from your local tax authority. Consult GOV.UK’s Income Tax page for full information.
Bank Accounts
UK residents can open a bank account with a residence permit or with a passport and proof of address in Cyprus.
The Central Bank of Cyprus regulates all banking, publishing a list of all regulated banks operating in the country. Start the process early so that you have time to compare the different banking services before you commit to one. If you want to talk to someone in branch before you leave, there are branches in London and Birmingham.
Driving Licences and Vehicles
You must be 18 years old to drive in Cyprus, and if you are this age or over and hold a valid EU/EEA driving licence you are good to go!
After 6 months of residency, a Cypriot driving licence can be applied for but is not necessary.
Bringing a Car to Cyprus
For information on bringing in a car from a EU/EEA country, please consult the Republic of Cyprus Customs & Excise Department.
Buying a Car in Cyprus
To buy a car in Cyprus and transfer the deed in your name you’ll need your EU/EEA driving licence and insurance.
A car is considered new if its mileage has not gone above 6 000 km or no more than 6 months have passed since the date on which it was first registered. All other cars are considered second hand.
Schools
School attendance is compulsory until 16 years of age in Cyprus and there are public, private and international schools. EU/EEA citizens are entitled to state education, although, of course, all tuition in state schools is conducted in Greek. Some state schools do provide extensive Greek language lessons to help children integrate.
A list of some of the private schools can be found here.
If you are a parent moving to Cyprus with your children, make sure to carry out enough research about the education system and different schools so that they meet your child’s educational and social needs.
Animals and Pets
Bringing your pet with you from an EU/EEA country on your move to Cyprus is a fairly straight forward affair.
Please refer to Ministry of Agriculture Republic of Cyprus Natural Resources and Environment for full information on what you need to do to bring your pet into Cyprus.
Make sure to double check the banned breeds, puppy and kitten regulations and other animals.
Expat Forums
Moving to a different country is a big decision and so it’s nice to chat to people in the same situation that have had to make similar decisions. Here are a few online forums that you might find useful and enjoyable to become a part of:
Online Shops that Deliver
There are more and more online shops that deliver to Cyprus, from women’s fashion to health and beauty, outdoor pursuits to general gifts. Here at cyprusanytime.com we have collated them all in one place for you. Happy shopping!
| Shop | Description | Delivery Cost |
| Amazon | Multi Category | Varies |
| Asos | Fashion | €3 / Free Delivery on Orders Over €30 |
| Beauty Bay | Beauty | €2.20 / Free Delivery on Orders Over €17 |
| Blacks | Sport and Outdoors | £6.99 |
| Boden | Fashion | £6 |
| Bonmarche | Fashion | £5.95 |
| Boohoo | Fashion | £6.99 |
| Book Depository | Books | Free |
| Caraselle Direct | Multi Category | From £3.20 |
| Chemist Direct | Health and Beauty | Varies |
| Chocolate Trading Co | Food and Drink | £25.99 |
| Coast | Fashion | €15 |
| Cotton Traders | Fashion | £8.95 |
| Debenhams | Multi Category | £5 |
| Dress-for-Less | Fashion | €19.90 |
| ebay | Multi Category | Varies |
| Feelunique | Health and Beauty | €4.95 / Free Delivery on Orders Over €40 |
| Figleaves | Fashion | £5.95 |
| French Connection | Fashion | £8 / €9 |
| Game | Technology | £3 |
| Goddiva | Fashion | From €7.99 |
| House of Fraser | Multi Category | £6.00 |
| IWOOT | Gifts | Free |
| John Lewis | Multi Category | £7.50 |
| Joy | Fashion | £ 10 |
| La Senza | Fashion | £27.24 |
| Lookfantastic | Health and Beauty | Free |
| Mango | Fashion | €11.95 / Free Delivery on Orders Over €150 |
| Mango Outlet | Fashion | €5.95 / Free Delivery on Orders Over €75 |
| Millets | Sports and Outdoors | £6.99 |
| Mothercare | Baby and Child | £14.95 |
| My Memory | Technology | £1.95 |
| New Look | Fashion | £5 / Free on Orders Over £55 |
| Next | Fashion | €3 / Free Delivery on Orders Over €25 |
| Not on the High Street | Multi Category | Varies |
| Octave | Fashion | £4 |
| Office | Footwear | £25 |
| ProBikeKit | Sports and Outdoors | £4.99 / Free on Orders Over £50 |
| Quiz | Fashion | £5.95 / Free Delivery on Orders Over £25 |
| Qwerkity | Gifts | £49.99 |
| Schuh | Footwear | £35 |
| Sports Direct | Sports and Outdoors | From £10.83 |
| Tesco | Fashion | £10.00 |
| The Hut | Technology | £2.99 / Free Delivery on Orders Over £20 |
| The Outnet | Fashion | £20 |
| Wallace Sacks | Home and Garden | £20 |
| Wiggle | Sports and Outdoors | Varies |
| Zavvi | Technology | £1.99 |
| Details correct as of 11th November 2016 If you have any updates to this page or sites you think should be here please email us |
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