Residence and citizenship in Cyprus: Yellow Slip, visas, naturalisation, marriage and descent
Your right to live in Cyprus depends on nationality: EU citizens and their families enjoy free movement; non-EU citizens need a residence permit. Here are all the main routes, not just one.
Yellow Slip (registration certificate)
EU citizens staying over three months apply for a registration certificate (MEU1; permanent — MEU3), known as the Yellow Slip for the colour of the form. You need an ID/passport, proof of address, health cover and proof of income.
Pink Slip and permits for non-EU citizens
Non-EU nationals apply for a residence permit (a temporary permit, the Pink Slip, and a permanent one, the Yellow Slip). Grounds differ: work, study, family, investment, sufficient income without working (Category F) and digital nomads. Each ground has its own documents and duration.
Fees and timing
| Item | Amount | Source · date |
|---|---|---|
| EU registration (MEU1) | €20 (government fee) | gov.cy (Migration Department, CRMD) · 11.10.2026 |
| Residence permit (non-EU) | €140 first year (€70 application + €70 registration); renewal €70 | gov.cy (Migration Department, CRMD) · 11.10.2026 |
| Processing time | usually up to 4 months | gov.cy (Migration Department, CRMD) · 11.10.2026 |
| Health cover for a permit | a policy is required; no single price | market data · 11.10.2026 |
FAQ
- Do EU citizens need a visa for Cyprus?
- No. EU citizens enter with an ID or passport and stay freely; beyond three months they register (MEU1).
- Can I live in Cyprus without working?
- Yes, non-EU citizens may apply under sufficient income (Category F), proving stable income and housing. Amounts must be verified at source.
- What are the pink and yellow slips?
- Everyday names for the forms: pink for a temporary non-EU permit, yellow for the registration certificate (EU — MEU1/MEU3; non-EU — permanent residence).
- Is citizenship by investment still available?
- No. The scheme ended in November 2020; no new golden passports are issued.
- How strict is the Greek requirement?
- Since 2023 the standard route needs a B1 certificate; a diploma taught in Greek is an exception.
- Where do I apply?
- In person at your district administration (eparchiki dioikisi), by appointment.
Cyprus abolished its citizenship-by-investment scheme in November 2020 — there is no golden passport any more. Ordinary routes remain; all require lawful residence and, since 2023, knowledge of Greek.
All the routes
- Naturalisation by residence: 7 years of cumulative lawful residence in the last 10, plus 12 continuous months before applying; absences in that year must not exceed 90 days.
- Fast track for highly skilled employees: 4 years (Greek A2) or 3 years (B1).
- Marriage to a Cypriot citizen (form M125) — shorter periods.
- Descent (through a Cypriot parent), birth and adoption.
- Children and parents of citizens — reduced periods, case by case.
Requirements and fees
| Item | Value | Source · date |
|---|---|---|
| Residence (standard route) | 7 years in 10 + 1 continuous | Ministry of Interior (M127) · 10.10.2026 |
| Greek language | B1 (standard route) | Ministry of Interior (M127) · 10.10.2026 |
| Absences in the final year | no more than 90 days | Ministry of Interior (M127) · 10.10.2026 |
| Application fee (standard) | €500 on submission + €500 on approval | gov.cy (Ministry of Interior, M127) · 11.10.2026 |