Updated: December 13, 2024
Can I use my Cyprus residence permit to travel to other countries visa-free? Can I travel to the European Union visa-free if I am a permanent resident of Cyprus? The short answer to both questions is no. However, as we will explain in this guide, there are exceptions concerning Ukraine.
The guide also contains basic information about residence permits and rules in Cyprus, Greece, Schengen, the United Kingdom (UK), and Ukraine.
The law allows Cyprus to issue residence permits to third-country nationals (non-EU nationals or TCNs) under certain conditions. Briefly, a TCN can come to Cyprus to study, work, set up a business, or as a person of independent means who will invest or retire in the Cyprus Republic. Residence permits are permanent or non-permanent (temporary permit pink slip). Note that criteria apply, and look at our firm’s specific subject guides for all the relevant information!
The European Commission, in the European Union (EU) Immigration Portal, explains the applicable rules when a TCN who has a residence permit from one EU country is going to another EU country:
For less than 90 days, that country can allow entry without a visa from your country. Check this with your country’s or the other countries’ embassy or consulate.
Cyprus is not a member of Schengen, though it accepts a valid Schengen visa.
The Schengen area is a zone where countries have abolished their internal borders. It includes 29 countries, 25 of which are EU member states.
According to the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TCNs holding a valid visa category D/ residence permit from EU countries, Schengen countries have a right to visit Cyprus under certain conditions for 90 days out of 180.
The category D visa is the so-called “long-stay visa” issued across the EU: https://handbookgermany.de/en/national-visa.
Since Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen zone on January 1, 2025, a Cyprus residence permit no longer allows a TCN to enter these countries without a visa.
Due to the emergency situation in Ukraine and the need to respond in a humanitarian way, the EU passed the Temporary Protection Directive on 4 March 2022. This grants collective protective status to people fleeing Ukraine and coming into the EU.
To get a residence permit for Cyprus, a person must apply to the Civil Registry and Migration Department within 30 days of arrival.
For Ukrainian citizens holding a biometric passport, visa-free travel is granted for up to 90 days in any 180. The right is valid in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The purpose of travel can be for tourism, visiting relatives or friends, and for business purposes, but not to work.
Ukrainian citizens with non-biometric passports are given short-stay visas, valid for up to 90 days.
Sources:
European Commission, the UN Refugee Agency, the Cyprus Civil Registry and the Migration Department.
Link to the Temporary Protection Directive: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/.
The Embassy of Greece in Nicosia says that, for a journey to Greece from the Republic of Cyprus, a TCN should apply either for a short-term Schengen visa or, for a stay longer than 90 days, a long-term national visa.
Holders of a residence permit from Cyprus must apply for a visa to come to the UK, depending on their country of origin. The list of countries that need a visa is here: https://www.gov.uk/.
Ukrainian nationals can come, stay, work or study in the UK if they already have family there. They can apply under the Ukraine sponsorship scheme and get the same rights if they do not.
The details for Ukrainian nationals are here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/.
The Cyprus residence permit will not give the right to travel visa-free to other countries, whether EU or not. However, a TCN from the Schengen area can travel across the Schengen countries. Ukrainian citizens have collective protection status and can travel across the EU in certain circumstances. Under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, they are entitled to a residence permit, work, medicine, and housing. The United Kingdom and Greece have particular requirements, as explained above.
No. The most common way of travelling to Turkey is with an eVisa, for which you can easily apply online. Nationals of certain countries can get a visa on arrival. The Republic of Cyprus is included in these countries. Still, it is not mentioned as an independent country, only as an administration (so we advise Cypriots to apply for an eVisa). Nationals of certain countries are allowed to travel with an ID card, but not nationals of the Republic of Cyprus. The eVisa mentioned above usually lasts 90 days, though its duration varies depending on the country of origin. Family applications for eVisa are allowed.
No.
No.
Yes. Holders of ID cards from EU member states can travel to other member states.
Yes. Concerning EU member states, Switzerland accepts valid transport or national ID cards.
No. You might need a valid travel document/ ID card or a visa, depending on your country of origin.
No. Depending on your country of origin and for short-term (90 days) tourist purposes, you may need:
Canada lists the countries by requirement here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/entry-requirements-country.html.
No. You need a valid passport; it should be valid for the whole of your stay. Depending on your country of origin, you might need a visa. Find the list of countries that need a visa to enter or transit the UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-visa-requirements-list-for-carriers/uk-visa-requirements-for-international-carriers.
George K. Konstantinou
Popular services
Navigation
Our Address
Book a Free Consultation
Fill in our contact form and one of our lawyers will reach out to you shortly.
