BREXIT: HOW CYPRUS INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THE WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT CONCERNING RESIDENCE RIGHTS OF UK NATIONALS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS
EU has reached an agreement (“withdrawal agreement”) with UK on citizens’ rights, ahead of the UK leaving the EU on 29 March 2019. According to the agreements’ provisions, UK nationals who are eligible for residence rights along with their family members (including family members that are third country nationals), will be able to stay and continue their lives in Cyprus.
More specifically, the withdrawal agreement will protect those UK nationals and their family members who have already exercised or will exercise their free movement rights in Cyprus before 1 January 2021 (before the end of the transition period which starts on 30 March 2019 and lasts until 31 December 2020). The withdrawal agreement therefore extends the current free movement rights to UK nationals and their family members arriving in Cyprus during the transition period.
Cyprus government has issued specific guidance that sets out how Cyprus intends to practically implement the provisions of the withdrawal agreement. UK nationals and their family members who are covered by the withdrawal agreement, will be able to continue their lives in Cyprus, with the same access to work, study, benefits and public services that they enjoy now, subject to the specific provisions provided for in the withdrawal agreement. Those who are not holders of current residence documents are therefore encouraged to apply for them as soon as possible to continue to work and live in Cyprus after the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019. UK nationals and their family members who are not covered by the withdrawal agreement, they will need to obtain an entry visa to enter Cyprus after the end of the transition period.
For more information and details on how Cyprus will implement the provisions of the withdrawal agreement, please contact us.
