EU Citizen and Family Members

At Rideo Group, we provide assistance to EU citizens and their family members seeking to obtain legal residency in an EU member state. We offer high-quality services to guide individuals through the complex process of obtaining the necessary documentation and are dedicated to providing personalized support to each of our clients.

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EU Citizen and Family Members

Citizens of the European Union (MEU1)

What is an MEU1 in Cyprus and how does it differ from an MEU3?

An MEU1 is a Temporary Residence Card for those that have lived in the Republic of Cyprus for less than 5 years whereas an MEU3 (Permanent Residence Certificate) is for those that have lived in Cyprus for over 5 years.

An application for the issue of a Registration Certificate MEU1 needs to be conducted within 4 months from the date of entry into the Republic by EU Citizens and family members who are also citizens of a Member State. The length of time for residing in the Republic under the Temporary Residence Permit MEU1 is 5 years, after that time an application needs to be made for an MEU3 Permit.

What Is required to apply for an MEU1 in the Republic of Cyprus for EU Citizens?

Persons applying for residency as employment:

  • Copy of Valid Passport or ID Card;
  • Certificate of Employment or Confirmation of Engagement by the employer;
  • Two Passport Size photographs - these are now captured during the application submission process.

Persons applying for residency as Self-Employed:

  • Copy of Valid Passport or ID Card;
  • Two Passport Size photographs - these are now captured during the application submission process;
  • Certificate of Registration to the Social Securities Service as Self-Employed.

Students applying for residency at a Private or Public Educational Establishment:

  • Accredited or financed by the Republic which includes vocational training courses;
  • Copy of Valid Passport or ID Card;
  • Proof of enrolment to study at one of the above establishments;
  • Proof of comprehensive health insurance cover in Cyprus - Rideo Group colleagues can assist in arranging appropriate cover;
  • A declaration that the applicant has sufficient resources for themselves and their family, in order not to be reliant on the Social Assistance Service during their time in the Republic;
  • Two Passport Size photographs - these are now captured during the application submission process;

If the purpose does not include any of the above:

  • Required - Fixed or adequate income from employment outside of the Republic of Cyprus;
  • Or - Fixed or adequate income from other legal sources;
  • Or - Adequate deposits in a financial institution within the Republic of Cyprus or abroad;
  • Proof of comprehensive health insurance cover in Cyprus - Rideo Group colleagues can assist in arranging appropriate cover.

What Is required to apply for an MEU1 in the Republic of Cyprus for family members of EU Citizens who are also Citizens of a Member State?

  • Copy of Valid Passport or ID Card;
  • Documented proof that the applicant has family relationship status;
  • If applicable - The registration certificate of the family member they are accompanying or joining;
  • Documented proof of Spouse and direct dependants under the age of 21;
  • Other family members not listed above:
    • Members of the household;
    • Members with serious health conditions;
    • Proof that the member is reliant on their personal care by the Union Citizen.
  • Proof of an existence of consistent relationship;
  • Two Passport Size photographs - these are now captured during the application submission process;
  • Application Fees - These will be advised at the time of application by one of our colleagues.

Rideo Group professionals acknowledge that each case is different but please feel free to contact us for an informal chat where we will be able to explain the process and the support we can give. Contact us on  +357 96476162, (WhatsApp) email: info@rideogroup.com

Family Members of European Union Citizens that are Not European Union Citizens (MEU2)

What is an MEU2 in Cyprus?

An MEU2 Residence Card is submitted when the family member of a Union Citizen is not a citizen of any Member State, the application needs to be made within 4 months from the date of entry into the Republic of Cyprus.

The conditions of entry for Non-EU Citizens whether they are a Spouse or family member will need to apply and submit documentation:

  • Copy of Valid Passport or ID Card;
  • Documented proof that the Spouse has a family relationship;
  • If applicable - Registration Certificate of the Union Citizen whom they are accompanying or joining;
  • Documented proof of Spouse and direct dependants under the age of 21;
  • Other family members not listed above:
    • Members of the household;
    • Members with serious health conditions;
    • Proof that the member is reliant on their personal care by the Union Citizen.
  • Proof of an existence of consistent relationship;
  • Two Passport Size photographs - these are now captured during the application submission process;
  • Application Fees - These will be advised at the time of application by one of our colleagues.

Please feel free to contact us at the Rideo Group for an informal chat where we will be able to explain the process and the support we can give. Contact us on  +357 96476162, (WhatsApp) email: info@rideogroup.com

Permanent Residence of Union Citizens and their Family Members (MEU3)

What is an MEU3 in Cyprus?

An MEU3 Permanent Residence Certificate is submitted by the Union Citizen and family members also citizens of a Member State after a 5 year uninterrupted legal stay in the Republic of Cyprus.

The difference between an MEU1 and an MEU3 - An MEU1 is a Temporary Residence Card for those that have lived in the Republic of Cyprus for less than 5 years whereas an MEU3 (Permanent Residence Certificate) is for those that have lived in Cyprus for over 5 years.

A Union Citizen Family Member who is not a citizen of any Member State can apply for the issue of a Permanent Residence Card within one month after the expiration of validity of the Residence Card. The validity of the Residence Card shall not be affected by:

  • Temporary absences not exceeding 6 months in each year;
  • Absences of a longer duration due to compulsory military service;
  • One absence of a maximum 12 months due to Pregnancy or Childbirth;
  • Serious illness;
  • Study or Vocational Training;
  • Posting in another Member State or Third Country.

Once the Permanent Residency Certificate has been acquired it may be lost only through absence from the Republic of Cyprus for a period of two consecutive years.

The right of Permanent Residency can be enjoyed for a period of 5 continuous years prior to application of an MEU3 Certificate on the following grounds:

  • Employees or Self-Employed:
    • Who at the time they stop working have reached the State Pension age;
    • Those that have ceased employment and  taken early retirement;
    • Have resided in Cyprus for two years continuously and stopped work due to permanent incapacity;
    • Those persons that have worked for 3 years in the Republic then undertake work in another Member State to which they return at least once a week;
    • Involuntary Unemployment recorded by the Labour Department due to reasons of cessations, not of persons making, illness or accident shall still be regarded as periods of employment;

Family members of the Employed or Self-Employed person irrespective of their Nationality have the right of Permanent Residence In the Republic of Cyprus, however if the person dies before acquiring Permanent Residency then the family member has the right of Permanent Residency, only if the member resided for two consecutive years in Cyprus and the death was due to an accident at work or occupational disease. The process for the application has Fees attached and requires 2 Passport Size photographs, the Republic of Cyprus will issue family members that are not citizens of a Member State a Permanent Residence Card valid for Ten years which is automatically renewed every Ten years from the date of issue, Fees are required which will be advised at the time of application.

Rideo Group are available to answer any questions or queries that you may have, please feel free to contact us for an informal chat where we will be able to explain the process and the support we can give. Contact us on  +357 96476162, (WhatsApp) email: info@rideogroup.com

UK nationalities

How Brexit affects UK nationals currently living in the Republic of Cyprus?

In line with the Withdrawal Agreement that was implemented on the 1st February 2020, it’s implementation meant that:

  • UK nationals and their family members who, by 31 December 2020 had been continuously resident in Cyprus for five years were eligible for permanent residence:
  • UK nationals and their family members who already reside in Cyprus or arrived by 31 December 2020, but will not yet have been continuously resident in Cyprus for five years, will be eligible for residence, enabling them to stay until they have reached the five-year threshold, therefore allowing them to apply for permanent residence;
  • UK nationals and their family members, who are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, will be able to continue their lives in Cyprus, with the same access to work, study, benefits and public services that they enjoy now, subject to the specific provisions provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement.
Residence for UK Nationals and UK Family Members (UKW1)
  • Beneficiaries of the UKW1 residence document are UK Nationals and their family members who are also UK Nationals are entitled to free movement residence rights in the Republic of Cyprus, under the provision of the Withdrawal Agreement;
  • Applications of an MUKW1 with accompanying documents can be applied through:
  • Online – eas.cmd.moi.gov.uk, documents need to be submitted in person at the Central offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department or at the District Units of the Aliens and Immigration Service;
  • In Person at the Central offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department or at the District Units of the Aliens and Immigration Service;
  • Applicable Fees for each individual applicant;
  • Application approval will be issued with 5 years validity.
Permanent Residence for UK National and 3rd Country Dependents (UKW2)
  • Beneficiaries of the UKW2 residence document are family members of a UK National who are 3rd Country Nationals given that the UK National is entitled of the rights, under the provision of the Withdrawal Agreement;
  • Applications of an MUKW2 must be submitted with the accompanying Fees and relevant documents for each individual applicant;
  • Application approval will be issued with 5 years validity.
Permanent Residence Document for UK National and and Family Members (UKW3)
  • UK Nationals and family members whether they be UK Nationals or not may have residence rights deriving from the Withdrawal Agreement after an uninterrupted period of 5 years legal residence in the Republic of Cyprus;
  • Applications of an MUKW3 must be submitted with the accompanying Fees and relevant documents for each individual applicant;
  • Application approval will be issued with 10 years validity;
  • The relevant documents required for application are as follows:
    • Copy of MEU1 or MEU2;
    • Copies of a Valid Passport;
    • Water or Electricity bills for the past 5 years issued by the relevant authority;
    • Or – Bank statements for the past 5 years;
    • Or – Monthly statements of Social Insurance Contributions for the past 5 years;
    • Or – Any other document that proves continued residence in the Republic of Cyprus for the past 5 years.

Holders of a Permanent Residence Certificate/Card (MEU3) are able to convert their document into a Permanent Residence Document by submitting the following at the time of application, the required documents are:

  1. Copy of MEU3;
  2. Copies of their valid Passport.

For all applications (MUKW1, MUKW2 and MUKW3) the following documentation is required:

  • A copy of a Valid Passport or travel document with at least three months from the date of application including the last arrival to the Republic and any relevant Visas (If applicable);
  • Clear Criminal Record Certificate - this original document obtained from the country of residence or origin must be officially certified with translation in Greek or English;
  • Original medical examination certificate of blood tests stamped by a specialist doctor from the Republic of Cyprus that proves the applicant does not suffer from;
    • Hepatitis B and C
    • HIV
    • Syphilis
    • Chest X-Ray for Tuberculosis
  • An original letter of guarantee issued by a Bank or cooperative institution in Cyprus with validity of 10 years covering possible repatriation expenses in the name of the applicant from their own bank account;
  • Health insurance certificate for medical care that covers both inpatient and outpatient, this must cover transportation of a corpse;
  • Certified copy of the Title Deed or Tenancy agreement document in the name of the applicant;
  • Documented minimum Guaranteed income of €480 per month from pension or other source is required;
  • Original Marriage Certificate in the case of a joint application certified and translated into Greek or English (where applicable).

Rideo Group understands that this can be a daunting process but we have experienced professionals who will be able to assist you at every stage of the application process. If you are unsure of anything or have any questions please contact us where we will be glad to help.

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