Paphos Life

From the British High Commissioner, Quote. The European Union’s is introducing a new Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12 October 2025 - what does this mean for UK nationals living in Cyprus?
High Commissioner Michael Tatham explains all you need to know!
EES is a new IT system introduced by the EU that will calculate how many days travellers spend in the Schengen Zone, and will replace passport stamping.
British residents in the EU - including Cyprus - are exempt from having to register in EES. To prove your exemption you must carry your Republic of Cyprus residency permit when travelling!
Further details available on our Living in Cyprus guide on gov.uk. Unquote.

Strange there is no mention of obtaining the Biometric Card by end of August 2026. Are things changing for us permanent residents? Are we at last to get the credit card residents card? Anyone know.

I've already got a credit card style resident card.

As I understand it, the Yellow Slip, is your Residency permit, those in possession before Brexit have no expiry date and shouldn't be surrendered easily in my opinion. The Biometric Card on the other hand is for travelling through the Schengen Area. Obtaining a Biometric Card by end August-2026 is "Advisory" as it says on the Cyprus Immigration Website, not compulsory. If like myself and others we have no intention of leaving the island, there is no need for a Biometric Card, which are very handy if you do travel frequently. Should an urgent need arise to travel occur, then it's passport and Yellow Slip as usual as quoted by the High Commissioner. I just feel something is afoot and trying to get to the bottom of it.