Residency Guide
Registering as a Resident: The Yellow Slip (MEU1) Step-by-Step (2025 Updated Guide)
For any EU/EEA/Swiss citizen planning to live in Cyprus for more than three months, obtaining a "Registration Certificate" (commonly known as the Yellow Slip or MEU1) is a mandatory step. This document serves as official proof of your temporary residence in Cyprus. While the certificate itself doesn't expire, it represents the first stage of residency. It is essential for working, setting up utilities, and other administrative tasks. This guide has been updated for 2025 based on the latest information from the Ministry of Interior.
What is the Yellow Slip? The Yellow Slip (MEU1) is a Registration Certificate required for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens residing in Cyprus for over three months. It formalizes your right to live and work in the country. Crucially, access to the public healthcare system (GESY) with an MEU1 is conditional; you must be employed and paying social insurance contributions or have an S1 form from your home country. After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for a permanent residence certificate (MEU3).
The Yellow Slip Application Process (Current for 2025)
The process must be completed within four months (120 days) of your arrival in Cyprus. It involves preparing your documents and submitting your application in person at your local Immigration Unit, managed by the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
Gather Your Documents
This is the most critical stage. The documents required depend on your reason for residing in Cyprus (e.g., employment, self-employment, student, or pensioner). Ensure you have originals and at least two high-quality photocopies of all documents.
Complete the MEU1 Form
Download the latest MEU1 Application Form from the Civil Registry and Migration Department. Fill it out completely using black ink, but do not sign it until your appointment.
Book an Appointment
Appointments are required and should be booked as soon as you arrive in Cyprus, as wait times can be long. You must apply at the Immigration Unit of the city where you reside. Please refer to the official Appointment Info for current details.
Submit Application in Person
Attend the appointment at the local Immigration Unit in your district (e.g., Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, or Famagusta). You must be physically present. Pay the €20 application fee per person. Your photograph will be taken at the office.
Receive Your Yellow Slip
If all documents are in order, the Yellow Slip is typically issued on the same day or within 5 working days.
Document Checklist by Applicant Type (2025)
The core documents are required for all applicants, but additional proof of status varies by category. The following is based on the latest requirements from the Ministry of Interior.
| Required Document | For Employees | For Self-Employed | Not Working / Student / Pensioner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Documents (Everyone) | |||
| Completed MEU1 Application Form | |||
| Valid Passport or National ID Card (and 2 photocopies) | |||
| Rental or Sale Agreement (stamped & certified, minimum 1 year) | |||
| 2 Passport-sized Photographs | |||
| Application Fee of €20 per person | |||
| Proof of Status (Choose Your Category) | |||
| Confirmation of Engagement by Employer | |||
| Social Insurance Registration Certificate (or payslip) | |||
| Certificate of Registration with Social Insurance as self-employed | |||
| Proof of Enrollment at a recognized Educational Institution | |||
| Proof of Sufficient Funds (e.g., 6-month Cyprus/foreign bank statements) | |||
| Proof of Comprehensive Health Insurance in Cyprus (Required if not contributing to Social Insurance) | |||
From Temporary (MEU1) to Permanent Residency (MEU3)
The MEU1 Yellow Slip grants you the right of temporary residence. After five years of continuous and legal residence in Cyprus, you are eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence Certificate (Form MEU3). This is a crucial step that solidifies your status in the country.
- Unconditional Residency: The MEU3 grants you the right to reside in Cyprus permanently, without conditions.
- Unconditional GESY Access: A significant benefit of the MEU3 is that it grants you automatic and unconditional access to the General Healthcare System (GESY), regardless of your employment status or social insurance contributions.
- Application: You apply for the MEU3 at the same local Immigration Unit where you obtained your MEU1. The process involves proving your continuous residence for the preceding five years.
Important Notes
- Family Members: EU/EEA/Swiss spouse and children apply with you at the same appointment using the same MEU1 form. You must provide original, apostilled, and translated (into English) marriage or birth certificates to prove the relationship.
- Non-EU Family Members: They apply for a "Residence Card" using form MEU2, which involves a separate appointment and a longer processing time (typically 6-7 months).
- Rental Agreement: Your agreement must be for a minimum of one year and be properly stamped at the tax office and certified by a certifying officer. This is a common point of error and can cause delays.
- Health Insurance: Required for non-working applicants, students, or pensioners who are not making social insurance contributions in Cyprus and do not have an S1 form. If employed in Cyprus, your social insurance contributions make you eligible for GESY, so separate private insurance is not needed for the MEU1 application.
- Bank Statements: For non-working applicants, provide 6-month bank statements showing sufficient, stable income to support yourself without becoming a burden on the social assistance system.
- Physical Presence: Applicants must be physically present at the appointment for photographs and signatures; submissions via power of attorney are not permitted.
Official Resources
- Ministry Overview & Legal Basis: Civil Registry and Migration Department
- MEU Forms (MEU1, MEU2, MEU3): Download Forms
- Appointment Booking: Appointment Platform
- Submission Locations: List of Offices
Additional Tips
- Apply Early: Submit your application within the first four months to avoid any issues with your legal right to stay.
- Verify Requirements: Requirements may change, so always consult official government sources for the most current information before your appointment.