Brexit Update - The Chat

[Dominic]

Just had the meeting with the British High Commission this afternoon, in Paphos. He gave a speech about the current state of affairs, and took questions.

Summary of Current State of Affairs:

1. It is expected that a deal will be reached. Neither side want no deal.
2. Contingency plans are being made in the event of no deal, but that is just good planning. It does not mean that no deal is expected. See point 1.
3. If you live in Cyprus, get your MEU1 sorted out, at the very least. Plus, you should have a Cypriot driving license. This wasn't part of the Brexit discussion but it got mentioned so I thought I would mention it here.
4. There will be more public meetings, in late November, in Paphos and Peyia.

In addition to the above, the BHC took away various questions, relating to holiday homes, business start-ups and pensions. He will provide answers at a future date.

Most of us then went on to the Palia Ilekriki for some nibbles and a speech.

It was nice to meet some other faces. I had a nice chat with Neil from Paphos People, and caught up with Wendy from Caritas, who was thrilled with what Paphos Life has been able to do for them this year. I also bumped into some nice people who may well be organising what turns out to be Paphos Life's charity of 2019. More on that in the coming months though.

I promised Wendy that I would post the full gallery of Lloyd's photos very soon, so I will be getting on with that now.

The general feeling I got from the meeting was that Brexit negotiations are progressing a lot more positively than the media is portraying. There won't be another referendum, so we may as well accept what is going to happen and make the best of it.

[PhotoLady]

Meanwhile, many animal charities are still waiting to hear what will happen with regards to Pet Passports and transportation for all the dogs and cats they rescue and rehome outside of Cyprus.

Let's hope things will continue as they are in that department!

[Dominic]

We were also provided with these useful links, which I will add to the pinned post at the top:

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

[trevnhil]

I had never thought of Brexit affecting pets. But you are right, earlier this year when we were looking for a rescue dog, we were amazed at the number that were reserved ready to travel abroad..
I hope that they will still be able to travel from Cyprus to other countries.

[ApusApus]

Thanks for the update Dominic, much appreciated!


Shane

[smudger]

Many thanks for the update Dominic.

[Mrblobby]

Just had the meeting with the British High Commission this afternoon, in Paphos. He gave a speech about the current state of affairs, and took questions.

Summary of Current State of Affairs:

1. It is expected that a deal will be reached. Neither side want no deal.
2. Contingency plans are being made in the event of no deal, but that is just good planning. It does not mean that no deal is expected. See point 1.
3. If you live in Cyprus, get your MEU1 sorted out, at the very least. Plus, you should have a Cypriot driving license. This wasn't part of the Brexit discussion but it got mentioned so I thought I would mention it here.
4. There will be more public meetings, in late November, in Paphos and Peyia.

Thank you Dominic .

So did he not mention the MEU3 ? Only the MEU1 .

[Dominic]

No, he mentioned the MEU3 as well. But in terms of future problems, not having an MEU1 is an issue. Not having an MEU3 isn't. Surprisingly, there are only 600 MEU3s out there, with another 800 in the pipeline.

It is irrelevant to us, as we haven't been here 5 years and don't qualify for the MEU3 anyway. However, if you do want to apply for the MEU3, you don't need to have the application in place before next March. There is a Brexit transition period when effectively, everything stays as it is now.

The following text comes from the ROC's document:

The following table shows which documents UK nationals and their family members will be able to use to evidence their right to reside in Cyprus. (note that highlighted documents are not currently issued):

DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD
Passport or
Valid Certificate of Registration, or
Valid Certificate of Permanent Residence.

AFTER THE END OF THE TRANSITION PERIOD
Valid Certificate of Registration, or
Valid Certificate of Permanent Residence, or
Valid Residence document, which includes a statement that it has been issued in accordance with the withdrawal agreement.

[Loubychew]

Both MEU1 & 3 were mentioned and at the very least folks should have the 1. If someone qualifies for the 3 then it makes sense to obtain it.

More info in the link here, plus it clearly states that if someone has neither, they should obtain one or the other. This means those with old brown ARC holders, old stamps in passports and those with nothing. Everyone should have a yellow piece of paper, be it the 1 or the 3.
Scroll down to the end for the full document: http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/CRMD/crmd.nsf ... 0E00384072

At the top of page 7 it states: ATTENTION: Non-holders of current residence documents are therefore encouraged to apply for them as soon as possible.

[mike strand2]

I'm wondering whether having the MEU3 (right to remain) will affect the position of us ex-pats claiming UK Residency (thereby avoiding defence tax), or will nothing change there?

[Jim B]

Dom

I take this is all dependent on a deal between the EU and the UK regarding Brexit?

Jim

[jeba]

Thank you Dominic and Loubychew for posting some excellent information which hopefully will finally put the "fears" of some to rest in regard to the entitlement of UK citizens to remain "unfettered" in Cyprus after March next year and indeed beyond.

Except for those who don´t qualify for registration e. g. because they don´t have health cover or proof of income and have been flying under the radar?

[PolemIan]

Finally applied to transfer my UK licence for a Cyprus one last week, copped out and paid the extra €25 to Stevie’s (office next to USB bank next to traffic lights near Papantoniou) to fill in the forms and assist at the transport office. All very stress free, apart from the lady who takes the photos being off sick so I had to go back the following day to do that part. Cost payable to transport office is €40. A temporary licence I issued and the new one is due back in 20 days after the application is submitted. The €40 fee is waived if over 65. I tried out my Greek language skills on the lady behind the desk and got a few brownie points for trying. Ian

[josef k]

Yes, thanks for the info.

However, I am haunted by the words "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed", so don't feel able to celebrate just yet.

[Dominic]

I won't be celebrating when the UK leaves Europe. I think it will be a terrible day which future generations will regret, and blame the older generation for.

In truth, they should shoulder some of the blame themselves; had they voted in greater numbers, this wouldn't have happened.

[Rita Sherry]

Meanwhile, many animal charities are still waiting to hear what will happen with regards to Pet Passports and transportation for all the dogs and cats they rescue and rehome outside of Cyprus.

Let's hope things will continue as they are in that department!

Jules

I heartily endorse your sentiment and Thank You for the mention.

Rita

[Rita Sherry]

Dominic

Thank you very much indeed for giving of your time and that of your family to attend a meeting on all our behalves and for the information you have kindly provided. Personally I will now wait patiently until this mess reaches its final conclusion one way or another. Look forward to more accurate updates from your goodself.

Regards

Rita

[PhotoLady]

Thank you Rita - I have a friend who has given up many of her years in Cyprus helping to rehome dogs to mostly Germany and UK.

Unfortunately, she's not been well for sometime now and the dog rescue has taken its' toll on top of her illness but I know if the status quo does not continue there will not only be her but hundreds more animal rescue volunteers who will be utterly devastated if the Pet Passport is ruled out for UK and therefore, the only option may become quarantine again.

Manchester Airport animal centre charged £80 per dog per night for quarantine when we returned to UK in 2016.
One of our dogs had a digit incorrectly written in her passport by our Cypriot vet but luckily the agent we used fought her corner with the airport vet as it was clearly a transpose of numbers and our other dog wasn't in the best of health as it was, so he let them both be released to her custody for delivery to us. Otherwise, Ruby would have had to have spent 3 weeks in quarantine and have another rabies vaccination....

[josef k]

I won't be celebrating when the UK leaves Europe. I think it will be a terrible day which future generations will regret, and blame the older generation for.

In truth, they should shoulder some of the blame themselves; had they voted in greater numbers, this wouldn't have happened.

I agree. My reference to celebration was in respect of getting solid factual information in the form of an agreement between the UK and EU. My personal view is much the same as yours. Future generations will be agog at what is going on now, and it is they who will pay the price.

[Devil]

Well, no matter what happens, there will be no cause for celebration. The current situation is that no one knows – not even Theresa May – what is going to happen. The harridan has just shot herself in the foot again by upsetting her Northern Irish contingent, who threatened to to leave her coalition (that isn't). This would lead to an almost certain government defeat. What will happen then? General election? New Prime Minister? Labour government? Brexit with no agreement? Brexit with a botched agreement? Brexit abandoned? ???