I am an American who has lived overseas for many years while working. When working overseas, my employer always assisted me in getting my residency. I just moved to Cyprus, but am not working there. So I was on my own to apply for residency. I found it very difficult to find any information on what is required for an American to move and establish residency in Cyprus. So I thought I might share my experiences.

First off, I lived in Cyprus for 3 months before I decided if I wanted to move there permenantly. During that time I collected a lot of information on costs, insurance, banking, and immigration. However, a few things changed over the 2 years between living there for a few months and my permanent move.

Fast forward to 2 years later and I have actually made the move. The physical move was not a problem - the moving company was very helpful and the agent in Cyprus assisted with the customs clearing process.

The big issues I had were with registering a car and immigration - they do relate. I bought a car right away - from a private seller. He and I signed the necessary documents, I got car insurance, and the muktari stamped the transfer documents. Then the problem arose - the Department of Transportation will not transfer the car into the new owner's name (that was me) without a residency permit. I applied for the residency permit the very same week. I was told it could take 3-4 months to get the permit (because of a huge backlog - lots of eastern Europeans moving to Cyprus these days). That's when the fun began. We checked with the police and they said it was ok not to have the transfer of ownership completed for one month while I waited for the residency permit. But I was possibly looking at 3-4 months. Ouch. And the insurance company really took exception to me driving a car that was not registered to me - can't blame them. There was nothing that could be done. The immigration officer said I would have to go to Nicosia to the immigration office (don't bother calling because they don't answer the phone) and plead my case in hopes that they would expedite the permit. Fortunately for me, I received my residency permit just before I was getting ready to make the pilgrimage to Nicosia immigration offices.

Some more things you will not find in regard to applying for residency if you are a US citizen. Aside from the copies of your passport, birth certificate, US utility bills, contract of purchase of home or rental of home in Cyprus, documents showing you terminated your rental or sold your home in the US, copies of bank statements showing you have sufficient funds in Cyprus, copies of bank statements for your continuing living expenses, proof of health insurance valid in Cyprus, you must go to your bank in Cyprus and ask them to provide immigration with specific information on your bank account there - not how much money is in the account, but account access information. And you must get a 2-year bank guarantee of 855 Euros. This will cost you 55 Euros. What happens is that the bank holds this money for the 2 years in case you somehow become indigent (or do something really bad) and the government of Cyprus has to deport you - this pays for your ticket out of Cyprus. Fortunately for me, I had copies of everything immigration wanted and more, and was able to get the bank information right away. Again, I was told it would take 3-4 months to get my residency permit. It came in the mail in 3.5 weeks. The permit is good for 1 year. I will have to reapply next year, but I expect the process will be much simpler.

Another thing that will happen to you as a US citizen is that you will pay a higher vehicle insurance rate the first year because you have no experience driving a right-hand drive vehicle. Of course I had over 3 months continuous right-hand drive experience but this did not count. The car insurance company in Cyprus will want a statement from your US insurance company stating your claim/accident history for the past 5 years. Easy to get but easier to get if you do this before you leave the US.

The electric company will require a 100+ Euro deposit because you are not an EU citizen. Of course, you will have to show your home purchase contract or rental contract when setting up all utilities.

You can get a Cypriot driver's license by turning in your US license. However, if you have amotorcycle endorsement on your US license (I do), this will not transfer and you must take a test to get the motorcycle endorsement.

These were the big surprises for me. I'll add more if there are any.  

Hi CyprusForMe

Great information - thanks!
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