Useful Information from the British High Commission

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Useful Information from the British High Commission

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Latest links as of 08/10/2018

UK Consular in Cyprus:
https://www.gov.uk/government/world/cyprus

Living in Cyprus Guide:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-cyprus

Cyprus Traval Advice:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cyprus

Foreign Office:
https://www.facebook.copm/foreignoffice

Overseas Passports:
https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Emergency Travel Document:
https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document

All Uk Government Services and Info:
https://www.gov.uk

Latest Brexit Information:
https://www.gov.uk/world/brexit

No Deal Preparation:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collectio ... th-no-deal

Brexit Alerts:
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/ ... ail-signup

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Taking care of and renewing your British passport

Your passport is an important legal document. Identity theft, passport fraud and related crime are on the increase so you need to take good care of it. Make sure that it is kept in a safe place, is valid and in good condition. At the back of your passport, fill in the contact details of two relatives or friends who can be contacted in case of an emergency.

The British High Commission in Nicosia no longer processes passport applications. Overseas residents can renew their passports here: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Don’t book any travel until you have a valid passport.

For more information about the British High Commission, visit us at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/world/org ... on-nicosia

Or visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukincyprus or Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKinCyprus

For travel advice and information visit: https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/
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The British High Commissioner Matthew Kidd issued a video message last week to British expats living in Cyprus after the triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty of the start of the Brexit negotiations.

The video is posted on the UKinCyprus Facebook page and Twitter account:

As a follow up to the video above, Consular Director Julia Longbottom will be taking part in a Facebook Live Q&A at 11am (UK time) on Tuesday 11 April. The event will be taking place on the FCO Travel Facebook page.

This event will focus on answering queries from British nationals living in the EU in regards to the UK exiting the EU.

https://www.facebook.com/fcotravel/?hc_ ... S_TIMELINE

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If any other Consulates would like us to include useful information for their Nationals, please do get in touch and we would be happy to oblige.
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Message from the High Commissioner: Update on Brexit preparations
I thought it might be helpful to provide an update on recent developments linked to the UK’s future departure from the European Union, now that formal negotiations have now begun.

As I travel around the island meeting British residents here – most recently in Paralimni in May and in Pafos earlier this month – I know you have a range of concerns about what Brexit will mean for you. Until negotiations progress further, we are unlikely to have all the answers to those concerns but I hope it’s helpful for me to set out what we know so far; and for those unable to attend recent meetings to hear the kinds of concerns that were raised by others.

On 26 June, the Prime Minister announced in parliament details of the UK’s opening offer in the negotiations on the rights of EU citizens in the UK post-Brexit. This is an important development as the expectation is that whatever is finally agreed will also apply reciprocally to British nationals resident in other EU countries, such as Cyprus.

The core elements of the offer are as follows:
• No EU citizen living in the UK before a ‘cut-off date’ (to be determined) will face the threat of being asked to leave after our exit;
• There will be equal treatment between UK nationals and EU citizens entitled to reside in the UK;
• EU citizens’ rights will be robustly and properly enforceable, but in UK law, not through the European Court of Justice (ECJ);
• The offer has been made seeking reciprocity for UK nationals living in EU Member States.
The UK hopes that by setting out its offer in this way, it is demonstrating its willingness to work positively and productively with its European partners. Full details of the offer can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -in-the-eu

As you will see, the UK offer includes many of the issues (healthcare, pensions, education and benefits) of concern to UK nationals in Cyprus, as well as Cypriots in the UK.

The next step will be for the UK and the EU27 to start formal negotiations on these opening positions on citizens’ rights, and the other priority issues for the negotiations agreed on 19 June, namely: the budget and the border with Ireland. Once we have made sufficient progress on those issues, the negotiations will turn to the UK’s future relationship with the EU. The UK’s outline plan is to move to those “future” issues by October 2017.

During my recent meeting with British nationals living in the Pafos area, I stressed that, while any negotiations are difficult, we start at a point where there is quite a lot of common ground between the UK and EU27 in at least two of the three priorities for the negotiations. This is positive.

The Cypriot government have also been supportive to date, reflecting the excellent relations between our countries. I am reassured that Cyprus wants to make Brexit work, and the authorities are alive to the implications of it for British nationals here. The intention of both our countries is to keep the process of negotiation well intentioned, positive and productive.

I also noted at the meeting in Pafos that the exit process is likely to be complex, as apart from the main Brexit negotiations, there are at least 1000 other agreements covering trade, health, air service and taxation and other fields which will need to be negotiated with other countries.

As stated previously, a period of uncertainty is inevitable as we agree the changes from one state of affairs to another. Until negotiations are concluded, it will not be possible to say with certainty what the impact of Brexit will be on British citizens living in Cyprus, or indeed Cypriots living in the UK. But until new arrangements are agreed, I expect there will be no changes to your current circumstances.

On issues of importance to you such as access to health care and pensions, I hope the position paper above will at least begin to show you the direction of travel of the negotiations.

The information below may also be useful to you, in light of the type of enquiries we are currently receiving:

1. British nationals living in Cyprus as residents should apply for their MEU1 form (yellow slip), as proof of residency. Further information on how to do this can be found here: http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/CRMD/crmd.nsf ... enDocument

2. If you have been living in Cyprus and have yet to register as resident you should visit you local Citizen Service Centre who will advise you on what you need to do.

3. The Immigration Department has advised that British nationals who have been living in Cyprus since before its accession to the EU (2004) should arrange to have their Alien Registration Card (ARC) converted into an MEU1(yellow slip). This may affect those, in particular state pensioners, who are renewing the medical cards.

4. Information about applying for Cypriot citizenship is available from the Ministry of Interior through the following link. If you have been on the island for 7 or more years you may be eligible to apply: thttp://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/CRMD/crmd.nsf/All/E8 ... enDocument

5. Overseas voting/ 15 years rule: The Government has reconfirmed that it is working towards addressing the 15-year rule for overseas electors in time for the scheduled General Election in 2020. Unfortunately parliamentary time did not allow the Government to bring in the Bill before the 8 June General Election. For those British citizens living abroad who have lived in the UK within the last 15 years and are therefore already eligible to vote, we encourage them to register by visiting gov.uk/register-to-vote.

We will continue to make as much information available as we can, as the negotiating process goes forward. British nationals in Cyprus can keep up to date with the work of the High Commission through:

• our website: https://www.gov.uk/government/world/cyprus
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ukincyprus/
• and on Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/ukincyprus

I will also continue to engage with British nationals around the island on your concerns, with forthcoming open meetings with residents planned in Larnaca, Limassol and elsewhere in the autumn. Please follow us on social media for further details in due course.

Matthew Kidd.
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RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Living in Cyprus or thinking about it?

EU citizens who wish to reside in Cyprus for more than three months must apply for a Residency Permit or yellow slip.
This can be completed at your local immigration office of the Ministry of Interior Republic of Cyprus using form MEU1 or by visiting your local Citizen Service Centre.

For more information please visit the following link:
Apply for yellow slip residency

After five years of legal residence, EU citizens may apply for Permanent Residence. For more information please visit the following link: Apply for permanent residency

After seven years of legal residence, EU citizens may apply to be Naturalised. For more information please visit the following link: Apply for naturalisation
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Re: Useful Information from the British High Commission

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The following pieces of information have recently been posted on the BHC facebook page:

1. EHIC card for holiday makers
Coming to Cyprus on holiday? Please see the NHS Choices pages for more details regarding healthcare and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) here:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcare ... -ehic.aspx

2. EHIC card rules for non UK residents (naughty people using them when they shouldn’t!)
Important information and rules regarding the use of EHIC cards for non UK residents here: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcare ... ction.aspx

3. Cyprus Medical Cards
EU citizens who are residents may apply for a Cyprus Medical card, providing they meet the criteria as laid down by the Ministry of Health (Υπουργείο Υγείας Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία), for more information visit your local Citizens Centre or the MOH website here: http://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/moh.nsf/0/FD0 ... enDocument
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Our new High Commissioner Stephen Lillie took up his new post in Nicosia on 30th April. He has his own Twitter account @StephenLillieUK
If you are a Twitter user you can follow him there for news and insights direct from the High Commissioner.



Or direct to Twitter here: https://mobile.twitter.com/StephenLillieUK
Find out more about Stephen Lillie here with his biography:
https://www.gov.uk/government/people/stephen-lillie
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A video from the New High Commissioner:

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Changes to UK-Cyprus Double Taxation Treaty planned

The British High Commission and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) held two briefing sessions in Limassol and Pissouri this week on forthcoming changes to UK tax legislation which may affect UK nationals living in Cyprus.

The meetings focussed principally on the recent signature of a new Double Taxation Treaty (DTA) between the UK and the Republic of Cyprus, with a lot of interest from participants in how changes within the treaty may affect UK nationals living in Cyprus, particularly those in receipt of Government service pensions.

Officials explained that the changes made to Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) are part of the general updating of the existing 1974 DTA between the UK and Cyprus to bring it in line with established international norms. In common with most countries, the starting point for all of the UK’s modern DTAs is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital (the Model). The pension provisions in the new DTA follow the approach that the Model advocates.

The provisions relating to Government service pensions have been a feature of that Model since 1977. They recognise the distinction between private sector pensions and publicly-funded pensions paid by a Government to its former employees. It is an internationally accepted standard. In effect, the new DTA will tax all government pensions at source (in the UK) and the individual will pay UK standard tax rates, and be eligible for tax free allowances. The previous DTA allowed for UK government pensions to be taxed in Cyprus at a lower rate of 5%.

The new DTA was signed by representatives of the UK and Cyprus on 22 March 2018. It will enter into force when both the UK and Cyprus have ratified it and exchanged diplomatic notes. This is likely to happen at the beginning of UK tax year 2019-2020. The UK Parliament debated the Statutory Instrument that gives effect to the DTA on Monday 18th June.
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New Message from High Commission:

Read our revised living in #Cyprus guide with all the latest information on #Brexit and the updated document by the Cypriot Ministry of Interior with advice to British nationals on residency and citizenship

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-c ... ed-to-know
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The British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie and a team from the British High Commission will be in Peyia and Pano Pafos on 27 Nov for an outreach event to British nationals living in the area: an opportunity for you to hear about the work of the High Commission and seek answers to any questions you may have, particularly on Brexit.

Tuesday, 27 November 2018 from 14:00-16:00
Peyia Old Cinema Building, Peyia

Tuesday, 27 November 2018 from 17:30-19:30
Palia Ilektriki Cultural Centre, Pano Pafos

No registration required. Open to all.
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For those that don’t have Facebook, here is a direct link: https://euexit.campaign.gov.uk/?fbclid= ... ZHtqeWlhvk
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For those that don’t have Facebook:

https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/che ... EpzkFvd9dE
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For those that don’t have Facebook:
If you are interested to know more about the work of civil defence and grow awareness on how to deal with natural disasters, join the Civil Defence Department of the Republic of Cyprus and the British High Commission at a presentation at the Old Cinema Building in Peyia, on 19 February at 10:30.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to receive some first aid tips.
Everyone welcome! No registration required.
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We welcome #Cyprus’ confirmation that rights of #UKnationalsinCyprus will be protected even in case of No Deal #Brexit. This will be of great reassurance to our community. We will work with Cypriot authorities on the finer details of these arrangements and keep Britons on island updated via our social media channels.



For those that don't have Facebook, link to Cyprus Mail article: https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/02/13/righ ... al-brexit/
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For those that don't have Facebook it also featured in the Cyprus Mail, I'm sure you already saw this.

https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/02/15/brex ... in-cyprus/

Original Facebook post here:
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For those that don’t have Facebook I have copied the text in below. I hope it comes through to you in an orderly format and that the hyperlinks work!



Brexit: Most Frequently Asked Questions by UK nationals in Cyprus

UK in Cyprus - British High Commission Nicosia·Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Following from our live Q&A session on Facebook, we have gathered the most frequently asked questions by UK nationals in Cyprus in a single note for easier access. We hope UK nationals in Cyprus find this document useful.

1. How do I regularise my status in Cyprus to ensure I can continue to live and work here

Cypriot law states you have to register as a resident if you spend more than 90 days in Cyprus. You will apply for what is called an MEU 1. This means you are accepted as someone with the same rights and entitlements as a Cypriot national and you will have access to all the services and support provided by Cyprus.
If you have already been registered as a resident for 5 years, you should apply for permanent residency known as an MEU3. You can find both application form on the Ministry of Interior Civil Registry and Migration Department’s website here: http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/crmd/crmd.nsf ... enDocument
You will need to apply at your nearest Immigration Office. A list of address for these offices can be found here. Please note there may be long waiting times for appointments (at least 2-3 months at the time of writing). It is best to start the process now to ensure that you are registered as soon as possible. If you have been waiting for more than four months then the advice is to contact the Ministry – as this might suggest there is a problem with your application.

In a No Deal, the Cypriot government has publically committed to protecting the rights of UK nationals in Cyprus. We are working with the Cypriot authorities to clarify further important details including any deadlines for getting your residency documents. We remain confident that in the event of a No Deal, the Cypriot government will allow a “Grace Period’’ to allow UK nationals to apply for residency after 29 March 2019.

2. How will I be able to access healthcare in Cyprus post-Brexit?

In a Deal scenario, as long as you have regularised your status in Cyprus by applying for residency (obtaining an MEU1 or MEU3), British nationals will be able to continue to access the healthcare system in Cyprus on the same basis as other EU citizens. This includes the use of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card for those of you who are studying in Cyprus or who are not resident here.

The UK Government is seeking reciprocal arrangements to maintain peoples’ healthcare rights in a no-deal scenario. We hope to formalise an agreement shortly. But as a fall back, if you are planning to visit Cyprus after 29 March 2019, you should continue to buy travel insurance so you can get the healthcare treatment you need, just as you would if visiting a non-EU country. More information on healthcare in Cyprus can be found at: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/health ... in-cyprus/
Cyprus is soon to launch its new public healthcare system. After 29 March, Britons in Cyprus, who have regularised their status and have either an MEU1 or MEU3 and who work will be able to access the Cyprus’ new health system through social insurance contributions.

3. Can I continue to use my UK driving licence in Cyprus?

If you are a resident in Cyprus (i.e. if you reside here for more than 90 days), you are obliged to convert your British licence into a Cyprus driving licence, which shows your address in Cyprus. Irrespective of Brexit.
If you exchange your licence before 29 March there is no need to pass a Cypriot driving test. Those of you with Cypriot driving licences can drive in the UK on this licence in both a deal and no deal scenario.
Currently, Britons who come to Cyprus for temporary visits can drive on their UK driving licence. If there is a signed Withdrawal Agreement, the UK driving licence remains valid up until the end of the Implementation Period, i.e. 31 December 2020. Agreements on mutual recognition of licences between the UK and the EU after this point will form part of the negotiations on the future relationship during the Implementation Period.
In the event of a No Deal, after 29 March, the UK driving licence may no longer be valid by itself when driving in Cyprus. The Government recommends that if you are coming to Cyprus for a short visit, that you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive after 29 March in a No Deal scenario.
You will need to apply for the 1949 Convention International Driving Permit, which is the relevant one for Cyprus. Applications need to be made in person at a UK Post Office. More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-to- ... ter-brexit

4. Will I need a visa to travel to Cyprus after 29 March?

If the UK leaves with a deal, travel to the EU will remain the same as now until at least 31 December 2020. Britons do not need to apply for a visa to travel or work in the EU during this time.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the rules for travelling or working in Europe will change after 29 March 2019. The European Commission has proposed that in a no deal situation, if you are a British Citizen, you would not need a visa for short stays in the EU. You would be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, if you are intending to stay in Cyprus for longer than 90 days, and do not hold a residency document, you may need to get a visa before you travel.
Deal or No Deal, from the 1 January 2021, the EU Commission has confirmed that UK citizens will have to pay 7 euros to enter the EU. Once received this will allow you to undertake multiple trips within a three year period.

5. Where can I find more information on Brexit?

More information on Brexit can be found in our Living in Cyprus guide: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-cyprus.
We also encourage you to visit gov.uk/EUExit for further guidance on preparing for exit day. The website has tools to help UK nationals in the EU, and EU citizens in the UK, to find the guidance that they need. Please also follow the BHC’s Facebook and Twitter pages to keep up-to-speed on developments.
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For those that don't have Facebook, here is the text:

The new Cypriot General Healthcare System (GESY) opens for registration for some categories of users from today (24 April).

From 24 April, adults aged 16 and over can register both in the General Healthcare System register as well as in the register of their personal doctor/GP of preference.
The Cypriot authorities have confirmed that UK state pensioners who are also S1 form holders will be entitled to free state healthcare under GESY, but they will need to register.

From 6 May 2019, children and teenagers aged up to 18 years old can also register both in the GHS register as well as in the register of their preferred paediatrician.
For further information about registering for GESY see:
http://bit.ly/2XxBqZm

As GESY is a local initiative/process and does not in any way belong to HMG or BHC, any queries or issues with registration should be directed to them - they are very receptive to emails: info@gesy.org.cy
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