Cypriot Passport?

[mike strand2]

Having lived here for over 7 years I understand I can apply for a Cyprus passport. I've been told that prior to making the applications, one must spend a full year on the island. Does anyone know if that means 365 days, or just the majority of the year here? No doubt there are other conditions too!

[smudger]

Mike is this in addition or instead of??

[Kili01]

I should check exact requirements with Inmigration Dept who you will have to see initially, though applications for Cypriot citizenship will probably be dealt with by the Ministry of the Interior. Or you could ask Gwenny at Gwenny’s Red Tape who will probably know or can find out.
Dee

[Kili01]

I should check exact requirements with Inmigration Dept who you will have to see initially, though applications for Cypriot citizenship will probably be dealt with by the Ministry of the Interior. Or you could ask Gwenny at Gwenny’s Red Tape who will probably know or can find out.
Dee

[Jim B]

Yes you do. If you type in www.wikihow.com/Obtain-a-Cypriot-Citizenship t

The site explains the process. Another point to be aware of is that the 7 years is accumulative so if you've spent time outside Cyprus it is deducted from the 7 year total so you could have to have 8 years total before you qualify.

Jim

[jeba]

Does anyone know if that means 365 days, or just the majority of the year here?

I´m not a lawyer but I bet that it´s the latter and that you have to have legally been been a resident for 7 consecutive years (i. e. you must have spent at least 183 days in Cyprus).

[WHL]

Ask a hundred people you will get a hundred different if's and maybe's , go to the Citizen center and hear it from the horses mouth.

[Loubychew]

I applied for Cyprus citizenship in August last year after being here 14.5 at the time.

I initially asked at Limassol Immigration in March and they directed me to Limassol Town Hall. A very nice lady at the Town Hall gave me the forms and lots of help. I saw the same lady in August when I made my application and all was accepted and sent to Nicosia Civil Registry & Migration Dept. Just a matter of waiting now.

Prior to putting in my application I did not have a clear 12 months in Cyprus (I think I'd had two trips away) but overall I think that due to the length of my time here it didn't matter.

[Jim B]

We applied and received citizenship and a passport for my wife; it took 14 months after application and that was with paying an immigration lawyer in Nicosia. We had to follow the laid down procedure, maybe that was because my wife was a non EU Citizen but in the end we got one.

Jim

[mike strand2]

Thanks everyone & as some have said, expect a variety of answers. I'll have been here 10 years in August, so should be well qualified. As I've been tax resident here (+183 days/year) that should count in my favour. Thankfully, both the Cyprus & UK governments allow dual passports.

I will try the Citizens Centre first stop as Immigration is an awful office!

[Lofos-Jan]

Just a reminder that its Citizenship you need to ask about rather than a Cyprus passport. You can get the passport once you are a citizen - it can usually be done as part of the same process if you want. My original application was at the office on the Marks and Sparks road (the middle building to the left - facing the post office). They are still processing stuff there as I collected my son's voting book there last week.

Jeanne

[Fisherman Phil]

Do you have to speak the lingo to get a Cypriot passport?

[Loubychew]

I was told that there is no language test but that they do check your knowledge on presidents, past and present, Cypriot culture, history, the meaning of significant public holidays etc.

[WHL]

Ha Ha - I doubt the Chinese were tested on that! More a case of buy a house for a ridiculous price (oh no don't be silly you don't have to actually live in it!!) here's your residency papers..!

The UK is far worse in that department.

[WHL]

Really. My son in law is Brazilian, and had to undergo language, both written and verbal tests and pass a "Britishness" test (which I suspect most of the indigenous population would fail) before qualifying for residency....

Keep up, we are talking about buying citizenship, through property or business investment.

[Fisherman Phil]

What are the advantages in a Brit getting a Cypriot passport?

[trevnhil]

Maybe it is good to have because it is an EU one ??

[WHL]

What are the advantages in a Brit getting a Cypriot passport?

I would imagine being able to work/live and travel freely through Europe after Brexit.

[Jim B]

The Chinese get residency, not citizenship unless they pay millions for a property.. We went down the Citizenship route as presently EU law protects non EU spouses of EU Citizens; who knows what the situation will be after March.

Jim

[Lofos-Jan]

I was about to say the same. The majority of Chinese buyers are in exactly the same position as everyone else and would have to wait the 7 years for citizenship. One advantage of citizenship is that you can vote. I also have dual nationality which will make European travel easy after Brexit as I will just use my Cypriot ID (never actually ever used the passport as ID is acceptable for European travel).

Jeanne