Absence from Cyprus.

[Chaddy]

We are residents here ( 20 plus years ) Our question is,how long are we allowed to stay of the island in one go without any problems.We are planning for 4 or 5 months visiting relations.Thanks for any advice.

[Uncle D]

It's 90 days away, then you have to return and stay for 90 days. If you are away for longer than 90 days they can refuse you entry.

[Chaddy]

Thanks uncle for your response.
However Does that mean if you have been off the island for a 90 day period ( or slightly less ) can you not go away again until you have stayed on the island for 90 days?
Or is it that you can not stay away for more than 90 days in any one year period.
Do i understand its ok to come and go as long as you are not away more than 180 days in any one calendar year or any one year period.
Thanks again for your response

[Uncle D]

You can be away for 90 days, twice in one year. But you need to be here 90 days twice in one year also. So 90 out of Cyprus , then 90 in Cyprus. That's 180 days a year but cannot be taken all in one go.

[Chaddy]

Thanks ever so much uncle D.So to engage my octogenarian grey matter we could stay off the island for say 85 days,come back,,,stay here for say 3 weeks and leave again for another 85 days then that would be it for the next 365 days.
The golden rule being not to be off the island more than 90 days at a time?

Thanks again.

[Tuppence]

If you have MUKW3 ............ Once acquired, the right of permanent residence shall be lost only through absence from the Republic of Cyprus for a
period exceeding five consecutive years.

[Chaddy]

Thanks Tuppence,so are you saying that if you have a MUKW3 ( or a biometric card which we have ) you can stay off the island for up to 5 years and have no problem when you arrive back.
This differs from
Uncle D who says you can only stay away from Cyprus for up to 90 days at a time even if you have a MUKW3 or a biometric card.

Look forward to you reply...Thanks again

[J B]

Methinks you'd be better asking someone in authority, rather than on here ... where you have two conflicting answers!

[andytspencer]

6 months in a year absences are allowed

[Tuppence]

andytspencer is correct

Apologies for the wrong information, I stand corrected

See Note 5
https://crpg.com.cy/wp-content/uploads/ ... y-2023.pdf

[Chaddy]

Thanks andytspencer it looks like you have settled matters officially.If you are the proud owner of a MUK3 or a biometric card you can stay off the island for a period not exceeding 6 months.
Exception being if you join the national service,i applied for this but they turned me down being in my mid eighties ( the cheek of it )
Thanks again.

[Miloman]

The mukw3 biometric allows you to be out of the country for up to 5 years. I am away in Thailand and checked with lawyers that i will lose my residence rights if not returning within 5 years.