Which countries can I visit with a Cyprus residence permit?

Which countries can I visit with a Cyprus residence permit? Can I travel to the European Union visa-free as a permanent resident of Cyprus? The short answer to both is no. A Cyprus residence permit is not a Schengen visa and does not grant visa-free entry to EU, Schengen states or other countries. There are exceptions for Ukrainian nationals under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.

This guide sets out the rules country by country for the Schengen area, Greece, the United Kingdom, Canada, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, and Serbia.

Cyprus residence permits

Cyprus issues residence permits to third-country nationals (non-EU nationals or TCNs) under certain conditions. 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 Republic of Cyprus. Residence permits are permanent or non-permanent. The non-permanent permit is commonly called the pink slip or TRC card (temporary residence card). Note that criteria apply, and look at our firm’s specific subject guides for all the relevant information.

Travelling with a Cyprus residence permit

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:

• With a Schengen visa, the TCN can travel throughout the Schengen area for as long as the visa is valid.
• For stays in another EU country lasting more than 90 days, a TCN requires a long-stay visa or a residence permit from that 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.

Schengen area

As of April 2026, Cyprus is not a member of the Schengen area. A Cyprus residence permit does not give a TCN the right to enter Schengen states without a separate Schengen visa, and it is not equivalent to a category D long-stay visa issued by a Schengen state.

Cyprus accepts a valid Schengen visa for entry. The Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that TCNs holding a valid category D visa or residence permit from an EU or Schengen country have the right to visit Cyprus for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to conditions.

For the current status of Cyprus's accession process, see our dedicated publication: Cyprus and the Schengen area.

The category D visa is the so-called "long-stay visa" issued across the EU: National Visa Type D - handbookgermany.de.

Bulgaria and Romania

Bulgaria and Romania officially joined the Schengen area for air and sea travel on March 31, 2024, and became full members on January 1, 2025. A Cyprus residence permit no longer allows a TCN to enter these countries without a visa.

Bulgaria and Romania officially joined the Schengen area for air and sea borders on March 31, 2024 and became full members on January 1, 2025. Both now apply Schengen entry rules. As a Cyprus residence permit does not substitute for a Schengen visa, third-country nationals resident in Cyprus need a separate Schengen visa to enter Bulgaria or Romania.

Ukraine

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.

People covered by the Directive are entitled to

• Residence permit
• Access to the labour market
• Housing
• Medical assistance
• Access to education for children

To get a residence permit for Cyprus, a person must apply to the Civil Registry and Migration Department within 30 days of arrival.

Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports

For Ukrainian citizens holding a biometric passport, visa-free travel is granted for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 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

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: Directive 2001/55 - eur-lex.europa.eu.

Greece

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.

The United Kingdom

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: UK visa requirements - gov.uk.

Ukrainian nationals' right to travel to the 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: UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals - gov.uk.

To sum up

A Cyprus residence permit does not give visa-free access to the Schengen area or any EU state. It does not substitute for a Schengen visa to enter Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, or other Schengen states.

Ukrainian nationals under the EU Temporary Protection Directive have separate rights to enter the EU and are entitled to a residence permit, work, medical assistance, and housing. The UK requires a separate visa regardless of Cyprus residence status.