Faq

If you are a Cypriot national living in the UK, Brexit may have an impact on your right of residence. 

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement) there will be a transition period from the exit day until 31 December 2020. During this period, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the UK, which means that your current situation will not change. Furthermore, the Withdrawal Agreement safeguards the right to continue living and working in the UK for all citizens that currently live and work in the UK and enjoy their rights under the EU law. 

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the UK is responsible for national legislation in this area. The UK has published a range of policy papers and ‘no deal’ notices covering such a scenario. According to these, the UK intends to secure the rights of the EU citizens living and working in the UK in broad terms as provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement. For more information, see the website of the UK’s Department for Exiting the European Union.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

If you live in the UK, under current rules you can bring your spouse and children to the UK to live with you.

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement) there will be a transition period from the exit day until 31 December 2020. During this period, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the UK. It will be possible to bring children born into existing relationships after this transition period to live with you in the UK. For partners in relationships formed after the UK’s exit from the UK, the UK’s own rules on family reunification will apply.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the UK is responsible for national legislation in this area. The UK has published a range of policy papers and ‘no deal’ notices covering such a scenario. According to these, the UK intends to secure the rights of the EU citizens living and working in the UK in broad terms as provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement. For more information, see the website of the UK’s Department for Exiting the European Union.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

If you already lived in the UK before Brexit you must apply for ‘settled status’ (if you have been living in the UK for more than 5 years) or ‘pre-settled status’ (if you have been living in the UK for less than 5 years). You need to submit your application by 30 June 2021.

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement) and you are travelling to the UK after Brexit and intent to stay for more than 3 months, you will need to register with the British authorities. A separate registration system is being set up for this purpose.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the UK is responsible for national legislation in this area. The UK has published a range of policy papers and ‘no deal’ notices covering such a scenario. According to these, the UK intends to secure the rights of the EU citizens living and working in the UK in broad terms as provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement. For more information, see the website of the UK’s Department for Exiting the European Union.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Yes, you must have submitted a residence permit application by 30 June 2021, according to the provisions on citizens’ rights as set out in the Withdrawal Agreement. For the Withdrawal Agreement to enter into force the ratification of the European Parliament and the British Parliament is needed.

If UK exits the Union with a Withdrawal Agreement

If you want to continue living in the UK after 31 December 2020, you must submit your residence permit application to the UK government by 30 June 2021 at the latest. It is vital that you hold a valid passport or identity card when you submit your application. You are advised to apply for these documents in good time, as well as retain all documents that show how long you have already lived in the UK, to serve as evidence when you apply for ‘settled status’.

EU citizens who, on 31 December 2020, have lived in the UK for more than 5 years, can apply to the UK government for ‘settled status’. This status gives EU citizens the right to continue living, working, building up a state pension and using public services in the UK, as they do now. If you have lived in the UK for less than five years on 31 December 2020, you can apply for ‘pre-settled status’. This offers the same rights as ‘settled status’. After five years in the UK, you can convert to ‘settled status’.

You cannot apply for ‘settled status’ or ‘pre-settled status’ yet. This will only be possible after Brexit has come into effect. The system is being phased in from late 2018. Applications cost £65 for adults and £32.50 for children under 18.

On 21 June 2018, the UK Home Office published a statement of intent on citizens’ rights, which sets out that the application and award of settled or pre-settled status must be as simple as possible. Applications may be submitted digitally. Applications will be approved if there are no exceptional circumstances (such as crime or security concerns).

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit

The UK is responsible for national legislation in this area. The UK has published a range of policy papers and ‘no deal’ notices covering such a scenario. According to these, the UK intends to secure the rights of the EU citizens living and working in the UK in broad terms as provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement. For more information, see the website of the UK’s Department for Exiting the European Union.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

If you have any questions regarding your UK pension, please contact your UK pension provider.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance

The export of short-term benefits (illness, maternity, paternity, unemployment, employment injury) to the United Kingdom will continue until the end of the transition period (31/12/2020) for cases with date of entitlement before the end of the transition period.  For cases with date of entitlement after the end of the transition period the export of short-term, benefits will continue after the end of the transitional period if the person falls within Article 30 of the Agreement. 

The Agreement ensures the application of Regulations (EC) No 883/2004 and (EC) No 987/2009 for as long as the situation concerned remains unchanged or the persons continue to be in a situation involving both the UK and an EU Member State at the same time without interruption.

The export of pensions (widows, statutory pension, and invalidity pension) in the UK will continue in all cases, irrespective of the date of entitlement even after the end of the transition period.

Ministry responsible
Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance
 

If UK exits the Union with a Withdrawal Agreement

EU citizens who have residence rights in the UK will have access to the UK healthcare system.

This answer is based on the arrangements governing citizens’ rights in the withdrawal agreement. For the Withdrawal Agreement to enter into force the ratification of the European Parliament and the British Parliament is needed.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit

Up until the UK leaves the EU, Cypriot nationals residents in the UK, who, under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, are entitled to healthcare in their country of residence will, in accordance with EU rules, continue to be entitled to healthcare in the UK and in the rest of the EU at Cyprus’ cost. Following the UK’s withdrawal, they will fall under the National Health Service (NHS).

After Brexit, Cyprus’ European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will not be valid for use in the United Kingdom. However, EHIC holders, who are hospitalized at Brexit date, will be able to complete their healthcare treatment without paying any fees.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Health

The UK is responsible for national legislation in this area. According to public statements and relevant decisions, the UK reassures that all EU citizens currently studying in the UK and those commencing their studies in the 2019 will retain the current fee status for EU students until the completion of their studies.

For those who will commence their studies after 2019, no decision has been taken yet as to the changes to impose on their fees.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Education and Culture

If there is a deal between the EU and the UK, nothing will change for you during the transition period, that is until 31 December 2020. If there is no deal, several tax arrangements will cease to apply.

If UK exits the Union with a Withdrawal Agreement

Nothing will change for you during the agreed transition period, that is until 31 December 2020. During this period, all current EU agreements and rules will still apply to the UK. So you will continue to be treated the same way for tax purposes. It is not clear yet what rules will apply after the transition period. The most likely scenario is that the UK will then be considered as a third (i.e. non-EU) country, which means that some tax arrangements will no longer apply.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit

If there is no deal, the UK will become a third country and you will be treated differently for tax purposes. For example, people who live in the UK and pay tax in Cyprus will no longer be entitled to tax credits and certain deductible items, such as mortgage interest relief. This is because it makes a difference for some tax arrangements whether you live in an EU country or outside the EU.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Finance

Brexit will not change the existence or recognition of your marriage. After Brexit, the Cypriot rules for recognizing marriages will continue to apply to marriages that took place in the UK.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Interior

Your EU driving license will still be valid in the United Kingdom after Brexit. You can find more information about EU driving licenses and Brexit on the UK government website.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement), you can continue to live and work in Cyprus. Brexit will not affect your right of residence and your right to work in Cyprus, according to the relevant provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement.

The Withdrawal Agreement provides also for a transition period until 31 December 2020, during which, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply in the UK. So your current situation will not change.

This answer is based on the arrangements governing citizens’ rights in the withdrawal agreement. For the Withdrawal Agreement to enter into force the ratification of the European Parliament and the British Parliament is needed.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the Cyprus government has decided to secure the rights of the British citizens living and/or working in Cyprus before the exit day.

British nationals who are legally resident in Cyprus before the UK’s withdrawal will retain their right to live and work here. This will also apply to family members of British nationals who are third country nationals.

British citizens will enjoy a generous grace period until the end of 2020, during which they will maintain their current status, and will need to apply for the new residency status as of 2021.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Interior

Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance

Everyone who lives in Cyprus must be registered to the local authorities of their place of residence. You must make sure to keep all certifying elements that prove how long you have been living in Cyprus.

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement), all British nationals and their family members who live in Cyprus and already have their residence permit as EU citizens, they will not need to apply for a new residence permit. Those British nationals that do not already have their residence permit will have to apply, according to the new procedures that will be put in place. They will need to do this regardless of how long they have been living here.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, British nationals who were legally resident in the UK before the UK’s withdrawal will retain their right to live and work here. This will also apply to family members of British nationals who are not EU citizens themselves.

Cyprus government has decided to apply a grace period until the end of 2020, during which the British nationals will maintain their current status. They will need to apply for the new residency status as of 2021.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Interior

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement), you will continue having access to healthcare services in Cyprus. Brexit will not affect your benefits in this regard, according to the relevant provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement.

The Withdrawal Agreement provides also for a transition period until 31 December 2020, during which, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply in the UK. So your current situation will not change.

This answer is based on the arrangements governing citizens’ rights in the withdrawal agreement. For the Withdrawal Agreement to enter into force the ratification of the European Parliament and the British Parliament is needed.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the Cyprus government has decided to secure the rights of the British citizens living and/or working in Cyprus before the exit day.

UK citizens working in Cyprus will be able to claim healthcare benefits and will be subject to the same eligibility criteria as Cypriots. Insurance periods completed in the United Kingdom before the Brexit date will be taken into account for the issuance of a Medical Card.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Health 

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement), you will continue having access to healthcare services in Cyprus. Brexit will not affect your benefits in this regard, according to the relevant provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement.

The Withdrawal Agreement provides also for a transition period until 31 December 2020, during which, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply in the UK. So your current situation will not change.

This answer is based on the arrangements governing citizens’ rights in the withdrawal agreement. For the Withdrawal Agreement to enter into force the ratification of the European Parliament and the British Parliament is needed.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the Cyprus government has decided to secure the rights of the British citizens living and/or working in Cyprus before the exit day.

Recipients of pension from the United Kingdom, who were granted healthcare benefits before Brexit, will continue to enjoy the same healthcare coverage as currently for an interim period and until further healthcare arrangements are pursued.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Health

The Withdrawal Agreement provides for a transition period until 31 December 2020, during which, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply in the UK. So your current situation will not change.

Since the UK withdrew from the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement), you will continue receiving social security benefits in Cyprus. 
The export of short-term benefits from the United Kingdom should continue until the end of the transition period (31/12/2020) for cases with date of entitlement before the end of the transition period.  For cases with date of entitlement after the end of the transition period the export of short-term, benefits should continue after the end of the transitional period if the person falls within Article 30 of the Agreement. 

The Agreement ensures the application of Regulations (EC) No 883/2004 and (EC) No 987/2009 for as long as the situation concerned remains unchanged or the persons continue to be in a situation involving both the UK and an EU Member State at the same time without interruption.

 
MINISTRY RESPONSIBLE
Department for Work and Pensions, UK

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
 

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement), there will be a transition period until the end of 2020, during which all EU rules and laws will continue to apply to the UK. Holders of UK driving licenses who move to Cyprus before the end of 2020 will be able to continue driving on their UK licenses until the end of 2020 (provided the license is still valid). 

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, UK driving licenses will remain valid via a relevant decision by the Ministry of Transport, on the basis of reciprocity.   

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Transport, Communication and Works

Your EU driving license will still be valid in the United Kingdom after Brexit. You can find more information about EU driving licenses and Brexit on the UK government website.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Transport, Communication and Works

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement), there will be a transition period until the end of 2020, during which all EU rules and laws will continue to apply to the UK. If you are a British national living in Cyprus you can bring your spouse and children to Cyprus, no matter how long you have lived in the country. Parents will also be able to bring children born after the transition period to Cyprus if the parents’ relationship existed before the end of the transition period. Cyprus’ national family reunification conditions will apply to partners whose relationship starts after the UK leaves the EU.

This answer is based on the arrangements governing citizens’ rights in the withdrawal agreement. For the Withdrawal Agreement to enter into force the ratification of the European Parliament and the British Parliament is needed.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, Cyprus government has decided to secure the rights of the British citizens living and/or working in Cyprus before the exit day. In this framework, If you are a British national living in Cyprus you can bring your spouse and children to Cyprus, no matter how long you have lived in the country.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Interior

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal (Withdrawal Agreement), there will be a transition period, until the end of 2020, during which nothing will change for those wishing to move to the UK to work. A new situation will apply after the transition period, depending on the future EU-UK relation, which will be negotiated in the period ahead. 

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, different rules may apply and it is on the United Kingdom to decide how to deal with the issue.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

This depends on how the United Kingdom withdraws from the EU: with a deal or without a deal.

If UK exits the Union with a Withdrawal Agreement

During the transition period, that is until the end of 2020, nothing will change with respect to checks on goods. A new situation will apply after the transition period, depending on the future EU-UK relation, which will be negotiated in the period ahead. 

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit

If the UK exits the EU without a deal there will be no longer free movement of goods. This means that you will have to declare goods at Customs. And you may have to pay import duties and VAT. The standard exemption for third countries will apply.

The Cyprus Customs and Excise Department website provides information on import and export of goods to and from the UK. On the UK government website you can find information about what you can import into the United Kingdom.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Finance

Yes, you can bring your cat, dog or ferret to Cyprus from the UK. But there are rules for travelling with pets. Your pet must for example have a pet passport or a veterinary certificate. And it must be microchipped. Read more about all the rules below.

If you want to bring your pet from the UK to Cyprus, your pet:

• must be microchipped (for identification purposes). The microchip must be fitted before the animal is vaccinated against rabies;
• must be vaccinated against rabies;
• must have a European pet passport or a valid veterinary certificate issued by the relevant UK authority. Please note: European pet passports issued in the UK will no longer be valid after Brexit;
• will probably need a blood test involving a 3-month waiting period. This blood test is to check whether the anti-rabies vaccination has been effective. The 3-month waiting period does not apply if the blood test is carried out in an EU country and the results have been noted in the pet passport. Please note: it is currently still unclear whether a blood test will be required after Brexit. More information on the website of the Cyprus veterinary Services.

If your pet does not meet the requirements, it will immediately be taken into quarantine on entering the Netherlands.

Read more about rules for travelling with your pet on the website of the Cyprus veterinary Services.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment

Yes, you can take your cat, dog or ferret to the United Kingdom. But there are rules for travelling with pets. Your pet must for example have a pet passport. And it must be microchipped. Read more about all the rules below.

If you want to take your pet from Cyprus to the United Kingdom, your pet must:

• be microchipped (for identification purposes). The microchip must be fitted before the animal is vaccinated against rabies;
• be vaccinated against rabies. You must wait at least 21 days before travelling with your pet after the first vaccination;
• have a valid European pet passport;
• be wormed shortly before travelling. This only applies to dogs. Dogs must be wormed no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before entering the UK. More details about the required treatment can be found on the UK government’s website.

Ministry responsible

Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment