Moving to or
from Cyprus

Moving to
or from
Cyprus

Importing Personal Effects to Cyprus

Cyprus is a member of the EU, and with the UK having left the EU, new rules now apply to the movement of goods between the UK and EU countries. Please note that all shipments from the UK to the EU must now clear customs upon arrival, and you will need to ensure that you can provide all the relevant customs documents required at your destination. Your contact at your local Deliver1 office will assist you with identifying the necessary forms and the supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completing and submitting these forms now lies with you, the customer, and it is advisable to prepare all these formalities before your move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges.

Prohibitions and Restrictions

Below items are strictly prohibited on our service:

• Firearms & ammunition
• Inflammable goods & substances
• Plants & plant material
• Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise
• Narcotics and dangerous goods
• Offensive materials
• Alcohol & Tobacco

Transit Times

Groupage or shared load consignments to Cyprus typically take 10 to 15 weeks door-to-door, depending on the volume being shipped, any immigration delays, and prevailing weather conditions. Sole-use containers generally take 5 to 9 weeks, with a weekly service available to Limassol.

Cyprus Visas

If you were not legally resident in Cyprus before January 1st 2021, you may need to apply for a Cyprus visa.

As with most countries, some of the main routes to moving to Cyprus are based on work visas, business development visas, family visas, refugee as well as humanitarian protection immigration visas, among others. Below are the Cypriot visas available for British citizens include:

Cyprus short-stay visa:

Also referred to as tourist or travel visas, Cyprus short-stay visas are usually issued for multiple entries. They allow you to stay in Cyprus for up to 90 days overall in a 180-day period.

It is worth noting that there are also several multiple-entry short-stay visas for Cyprus which are issued for up to 12 months. However, these are only issued to foreigners who can provide a valid reason to travel to Cyprus so often. In some circumstances though, you may be issued with a short-stay visa for Cyprus, which is valid for up to 5 years.

Cyprus long-stay visa:

A Cyprus long-stay visa is only available for non-EU nationals who want to enter Cyprus with the sole purpose of settling long-term, usually for a duration of 90 days and above.

For you to stay in Cyprus for more than three months (90 days), all foreign nationals must obtain a residence permit, recommended by the Immigration Control Board and issued by the Cypriot Interior Minister.

Cyprus residence permit

It is imperative to note that any foreign national, including British citizens who want to live in Cyprus from the UK, have to obtain a Cyprus residence permit.

This important document is what allows you to legally reside in Cyprus for longer than 90 days. Before you are issued a residence permit, you must acquire an entry visa depending on the purpose of your travel, such as a work visa or student visa.

It is worth noting that you must first get the visa in your country of residence and after arriving in Cyprus, make an application for the residence permit. There are different types of residence permit.

Cyprus temporary residence permit

The temporary residence permit is often issued for one of the following reasons:

• For employment.
• For studying.
• For family reunification.

The residence permit is only valid for 12 months or one year but is renewable annually.

Cyprus temporary residence permit for employment:

All UK nationals who go to Cyprus to work must first acquire a residence permit upon arrival. However, the temporary residence document does automatically allow the holder to work in Cyprus from the UK. Before travelling to Cyprus and obtaining the residence permit, you must equally acquire a Cyprus work visa and work permit.

Cyprus temporary student residency permit:

UK nationals who come to Cyprus on a study visa must register their stay and obtain a temporary residence permit upon their arrival. However, they are not allowed to work full-time!

if you are a holder of a Cypriot study visa, you can renew your temporary visa for the duration of your studies.

It is imperative to note that if your residency application is rejected for whatever reason, you may be able to apply for long-term residence as a third-country national.

Cyprus family reunification temporary residence permit:

Non-EU family members of either legal residents or Cyprus citizens who make an application for family reunification will be offered a temporary residence permit upon arriving in Cyprus.

They must travel to Cyprus and then make an application as your family member. Citizens of some non-EU countries may require a visa prior to travelling to Cyprus. The Cypriot authorities are bound to provide family reunion visas free of charge. Your family members will automatically qualify for permanent residence after five years of continuous stay in Cyprus. Kids that are either adopted or born after 1st Jan 2021 will benefit from the same residence rights as their family members already residing in Cyprus.