One of the four fundamental freedoms as introduced through European integration and the Single Market; is the free movement of workers. The free movement of workers includes the right of movement and residence of workers, the right of entry and residence of the family members of the worker and the right to work in another Member State. The European Union has adopted a series of Community Regulations and Directives, to secure the right of the nationals of all Member States for free access in the labour market and equal treatment, by the Member States, between their nationals and the nationals of other Member States.
The principle of the free movement of workers within Europe is applied in Cyprus since the 1st May 2004. It applies to all citizens of all Member States of the European Union. It also applies to citizens of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, which belong to the European Economic Area, as well as the citizens of Switzerland. In the text that follows the term « Member State » means any one of the above-mentioned countries.
Legislation:
The employment of European citizens is regulated by Law no. 7(I) of 2007 “The Right of Union Citizens and their Family Members to Move and Reside Freely within the Territory of the Republic of Cyprus Law of 2007”.
According to the above-mentioned legislation, the freedom of movement and residence in the Republic of Cyprus can be restricted only on the grounds of reasonable threat of public order, safety or health.
So, as from the 1st of May 2004, any European national can enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus by simply showing a valid passport or identity card. The family members of the European national have the same right as the European national whom they are dependant. The issue of a visa is not required, unless the members of the family are not nationals of an EU Member State, in the case of which, a residence document is issued, having the same validity as that issued to the national of a Member State whom he/she is dependant.
The competent authority for the implementation of these Laws is the Ministry of Interior.
Regulated professions
A general characteristic of a free market economy is that everyone is free to choose and practice a profession. Nonetheless, each Member State may require specific qualifications to be possessed for the pursuit of some professions.
In order to regulate professions, a series of Community Directives have been adopted by the European Union, divided in two separate categories:
- Sectoral Directives: which include each profession separately such as doctors, nurses, architects, lawyers etc.;
- Directives of the General System: which cover all other regulated professions.
The Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus has introduced relevant legislation that enables the harmonisation of the above-mentioned Directives in Cyprus.
In the case where a EU Member State national wishes to pursue a regulated profession in Cyprus, the national should contact the competent authority responsible in order to receive and examine the relevant information and applications for the specific regulated profession in order to acquire the relevant permit. The same procedure applies to Cyprus nationals who wish to pursue a career in any other Member State.
Our office is in the position to assist you with such procedures upon receiving further relevant information.
Procedure
EU nationals from other Member States have the right to enter the Republic of Cyprus by simply showing a valid EU passport or ID card without having to register upon arrival. A national and his family members, can remain in the Republic of Cyprus for up to 4 months. On the expiry of the 4 months, the EU national may extend his stay with the intention to take up employment and apply for the relevant permit.
If the event the person in question has the intention to stay in Cyprus and take up employment he must proceed with one of the following procedures:
- Application for a Registration Certificate (MEU1):
The application for the issuance of a Registration Certificate is submitted by the EU national and his family members who are also citizens of a Member State within 4 months from the date of entry into the Republic of Cyprus.
The said application must be submitted at the local Immigration Branch of the Police. In applying for a registration certificate, the EU citizen must appear in person at the Civil Registry and Migration Department (this service is for the time being, provided at the local Immigration Branch of the Police in all districts except Nicosia where a District Migration Office exists).
For the issuance of a Registration Certificate the EU national must submit the following documents:
- A duly completed standard MEU1 form (obtainable from Civil Registry & Migration Department or from the local Immigration Branch of the Police);
- Valid Passport or ID Card and copies of the same;
- 2 passport-sized photographs (these now are captured during the application submission process);
- Depending on the category of residence permit one is applying for (employed activity, self-employment etc.) the applicable proof must be submitted;
- In the event of application of a self-employed activity, the EU national must provide for a certificate of registration at the Social Security’s Services;
- In the case of application for the issuance of a Registration Certificate for the family members of the EU national also, then the appropriate documents attesting the existence of a family relationship such as certified true copies of marriage certificate, birth certificates of children etc. must be submitted;
- The Fee of €20 for the EU national and €20 for each family member which is citizen of a Member State.
The registration certificate is issued within 6 months from the date of application.
Failure to company with the registration requirement (Law N7(I)/2007) shall render the person concerned liable to a fiscal penalty of €2 562,90.
- Application for the issuance of a Residence Card (MEU2):
Family members of the EU national that are not EU citizens have the right to apply for the issuance of a Residence Card within 4 months from the date of entry into the Republic of Cyprus.
For the issuance of the Residence Card the family member of the EU national must submit the following:
- A duly completed standard MEU2 form (obtainable from Civil Registry & Migration Department or from the local Immigration Branch of the Police);
- Valid Passport or ID Card and copies of the same;
- 2 passport-sized photographs (these now are captured during the application submission process);
- Document attesting the existence of a family relationship, such as marriage certificate;
- The Fee of €20 for each family member.
The Residence Card is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
Failure to company with the registration requirement shall render the person concerned liable to a fiscal penalty of €2 562,90.
- Application for the issuance of a Permanent Residence Card of EU citizens and their family members (MEU3):
An application for a Permanent Residence Card (PRC) can be submitted in two situations:
- It can be submitted by an EU citizen and his family members also citizens of a Member State, after a 5-year period of uninterrupted legal residence in the Republic of Cyprus;
- It can be submitted by an EU citizen and his family members who are not citizens of a Member State within 1 month of expiry of validity of the Residence Card.
The validity of a PRC shall not be affected by temporary absences not exceeding 6 months in a year or absences for military service or importance reasons for maximum of 12 months. The right of permanent residence is lost only through absence from the Republic of Cyprus for a period exceeding 2 consecutive years.
Kindly note that we are in a position to assist you with any procedures which may be required by the authorities.
