UK
Uncategorized

Is It Easy to Move from UK to Cyprus?

@SpectacularMag

The ease of moving from the UK to any European country has changed since BREXIT. This has left many UK citizens to wonder if they can easily move to Cyprus. But to be frank, is it really easy to move from the UK to Cyprus?

Moving from the UK to Cyprus is easy for British citizens whose right to live in Cyprus is protected by the EU/Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. British citizens whose right isn’t protected by the withdrawal agreement can move to Cyprus after obtaining some legal travel documents.

UK citizens that the EU/Brexit Withdrawal Agreement protects their right to live in Cyprus are those who were lawfully resident in Cyprus before the 1st of January 2021. If you aren’t among this set of people, you should read on to discover the legal documents you need to move from the UK to Cyprus.

What Documents Do I Need to Move from UK to Cyprus?

Individuals with valid British citizenship status can move from the UK to Cyprus without a visa. However, such individuals can stay in Cyprus for only 90 days or less. British citizens who wish to remain in Cyprus longer than 90 days need to obtain a residence permit.

There are two kinds of residence permits, which are temporary residence permits and permanent residence permits. Only a temporary residence permit is available to new immigrants in Cyprus.

The temporary residence permit allows immigrants to stay in Cyprus for a year. The temporary residence permit can be renewed every year. After moving to Cyprus from UK and staying in Cyprus for five years, you can apply for permanent residency.

What is the Cost of Moving from the UK to Cyprus?

If you want to move from the UK to Cyprus for a period longer than three months, you’ll need money for the following purposes:

  • Obtain travel documents: The cost of travel documents is the least of all the expenses. You need only €70 per family member applying for Cyprus temporary residence permit. 
  • Cover your living expenses in Cyprus: The Cyprus temporary residence doesn’t give you the right to work in Cyprus. Hence, you need to include the cost to cover living expenses among the costs required to move to Cyprus. And you must show evidence that you have the income from outside Cyprus to cover living expenses in Cyprus before obtaining a Cyprus temporary residence permit. The estimated amount that you must show is €15,000 to €20,000 for a family consisting of three individuals.
  • Move household goods from the UK to Cyprus: If you have been living in the UK for a while and wish to move to Cyprus permanently, then you’ll have to move most of your household goods to Cyprus. You’ll need approximately £3,000 to move household goods in a 3-bedroom house from the UK to Cyprus via the sea.
  • Transport from the UK to Cyprus: According to Guide to Europe, the cheapest flight from the United Kingdom to Cyprus is £35 per passenger. However, if you plan to travel to Cyprus via one of the best airlines, you’ll need about £300 per passenger.
  • Get accommodation in Cyprus: The average costs of renting a 1-bedroom apartment and a 2-bedroom apartment in Cyprus are £400per month and £1000 per month, respectively.
Can British Citizens Live in Cyprus?

British citizens can live in Cyprus after obtaining a residence permit. British citizens residing in Cyprus before the 1st of January 2021 can continue to stay in Cyprus for as long as they wish without getting a visa. People in this category may require a London immigration solicitor to prove that they arrived in Cyprus before the 1st of January 2021.

While British citizens can live in Cyprus, they won’t have a few rights that Cypriot people have. For instance, British citizens can’t vote or be voted for in national or local government elections in Cyprus.

How to Move from the UK to Cyprus

To move to Cyprus, you must visit Cyprus Consulates and Embassies website and complete Cyprus visa application Form. Sign the form after completion and submit it. Aside from the Cyprus visa application form, you will need the following documents to obtain a Cyprus visa:

  • A valid passport.
  • Proof of legal residence
  • Proof of accommodation in Cyprus
  • Proof of sufficient funds
  • Employment status documents
  • Flight tickets/itinerary
  • Proof of paid Cyprus visa fee

If you plan to work in Cyprus, you must get a work permit and a work visa alongside a residence permit. You’ll need the assistance of a Cypriot company to obtain a work permit.

The documents required to obtain a work permit include:

  • An employment contract.
  • Photocopies of the applicant’s passport.
  • A certificate of police clearance.
  • Proof of health insurance.
  • A medical certificate.

After you have obtained a work permit, you should visit your region’s embassy with the following documents to obtain a work visa:

  • A certificate of police clearance
  • A certificate of medical clearance
  • Proof of travel health insurance
  • Work contract with Department of Labour seal
  • Proof of financial means
  • Application fee of €20.

You are free to take a flight from the UK to Cyprus as soon as you successfully obtain a residence permit, work permit and work visa.

Conclusion

Moving from the UK to Cyprus is easy, but you should be prepared to spend some time getting all the needed travel documents. It can take a few weeks to several weeks to obtain the necessary travel documents.