Whether you are looking for incredible cuisine, white sandy beaches, exceptional healthcare options, or traces of Greek mythology around every corner, Cyprus has it all.
Moreover, there is something mystical about Cyprus, from its unique and quaint villages to its boundless orchards and vineyards, to its ancient architecture, surrounded by pristine waters. This Mediterranean island offers a good quality of life at a low cost of living, making it a great place to start a new life.
1. Quick Facts About Cyprus
| Official name | The Republic of Cyprus |
| Form of government | Constitutional republic |
| Capital | Nicosia |
| Population | Around 1.2 million |
| Area | 9.251 km2 |
| Official language | Turkish and Greek |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
2. Do I Need a Visa to Move to Cyprus?
Whether you need a visa depends on your country of residence:
– If you are from an EU/EEA country, you can freely enter Cyprus; you only need to hold a valid passport or another travel document.
– If you are from a non-EU/EEA country, you must apply for a Cyprus visa to enter the country.
3. How to Move to Cyprus as an EU Citizen?
EU/EEA citizens can move to Cyprus for over three months (90 days) without obtaining a visa. Cyprus is part of the EU, meaning you will have the same rights as other EU citizens.
If you wish to stay longer than 90 days, you must register your stay at the Civil Registry and Migration Department and get a Registration Certificate (also known as a Yellow Slip).
4. How to Move to Cyprus as a Non-EU Citizen?
Non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a long-stay visa (national visa) to move to Cyprus. You must apply for a visa at your home country’s nearest Cypriot embassy or consulate. Upon arriving in Cyprus, within seven days, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at:
– The Civil Registry and Migration Department if you will be living in the Nicosia District.
– A District Immigration Unit if you will be living in another District.
You can move to Cyprus for over three months by choosing one of the following ways:
– To work.
– To study.
– To join a family member.
Moving to Cyprus for Work
If you want to move to Cyprus and work, there are a few things you need to do first:
– Obtain a work permit. After securing a job in Cyprus, your employer will apply for a work permit in Cyprus on your behalf.
– Obtain a work visa. After getting your work permit, you can apply for a Cyprus work visa at the nearest Cypriot embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
After entering Cyprus, you must apply for a temporary residence permit. The application must happen within seven days of entering the country; 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. Then, after five years under the temporary residence permit, you can apply for permanent residency.
Additionally, if you are a remote worker, you can apply for a digital nomad visa to work remotely in Cyprus.
Moving to Cyprus to Study
To move to Cyprus and study requires that you hold a student visa. A Cyprus educational institution must accept you before you can apply for a Cyprus student visa. Afterward, your school arranges for you to obtain a visa.
As soon as you arrive in Cyprus on a student visa, you must apply at the Cyprus Migration Department for a temporary residence permit. This permit lets you legally live and study in Cyprus for over 90 days.
The temporary residence permit is valid for one year and can be renewed annually for the duration of your studies.
Moving to Cyprus for Family Reunification
You can move to Cyprus and join a family member there only if you apply for a family visa. To be eligible for the family visa, you must meet the following conditions:
– The family member in Cyprus that also acts as your sponsor has lived legally in Cyprus for at least two years.
– The moment you apply for family reunification, the sponsor is a holder of a valid minimum of one year of residence permit.
– You are his/her spouse, and your marriage is at least one year before the application.
– You are his/her minor and unmarried child.
In addition, after seven days of entering Cyprus, you must register with the Civil Registry and Migration Department, which will issue a residence permit. The residence permit is valid for a year and subject to renewal but cannot be longer than the sponsor’s.
5. How Can I Obtain Permanent Residency in Cyprus?
Permanent residency is valid for five years, and you can obtain it if:
– You have resided in Cyprus for five years under a temporary residence permit – further, during this time, you did not leave Cyprus for longer than three months, and you have a work contract for a minimum of 18 months or an open duration.
– You purchase a property in Cyprus valued at least €300,000. However, you must meet a few requirements:
– You have proof you purchased the property with funds from outside Cyprus.
– You have an annual income of at least €30,000 and receive it outside Cyprus.
– You will deposit €30,000 in a Cypriot bank account, which will be frozen for three years.
– You will enter Cyprus at least every two years.
– If you have dependents, you must have an additional annual income of €5,000. Your children must be 18 to 25 years old and do not intend to take up paid employment in Cyprus. Whereas, for dependent parents, you must have €8,000 per year for each one.
Note: You must apply at a central office of the Civil Registry and Migration Department for a permanent residence permit.
6. How Can I Gain Citizenship in Cyprus?
If you have no blood relation to Cyprus, you can gain citizenship after living for a certain period in Cyprus. When you have lived in Cyprus for seven out of ten years and have met the following requirements, you are eligible for full Cypriot citizenship:
– You are over the age of 21 years.
– You have a clean criminal record.
– Your residency in Cyprus was continuous for the year immediately before your application.
7. Does Cyprus Allow Dual Citizenship?
Cyprus allows dual citizenship. You can acquire dual citizenship without registering or renouncing your previous citizenship. First, however, you should check with your home country whether it allows you to obtain another citizenship. Then, you can move forward with Cyprus as long as it does.

