Cyprus Releases Failsafe For Brit Expats In Danger From Brexit

Cyprus is the latest EU member state to attempt to calm the fears of its British expatriates.

Lawmakers in Cyprus have released an assurance that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, British citizens will be allowed to stay and enjoy their rights as stated in the withdrawal agreement. According to a spokesperson from Cyprus’s High Commission, the present position is that expats on Cyprus as well as Cypriot expats in the UK can continue their lives as usual whilst negotiations during the withdrawal period map out any future changes including the status of those who arrive in Cyprus post March 29 2019. Those already living on the island are being urged to regularise their positions by applying for one of the available residency programmes.

The MEU1 residency visa covers a stay longer than three months, with the MEU3 version applicable to those who’ve lived in Cyprus for more than five years or more than seven years. Also, under a negotiated exit agreement, Britons will still be able to emigrate to Cyprus during the transition period ending on 31 December 2020. New arrivals during that period will be able to secure their settled status after showing they can meet the necessary conditions and completed the paperwork. In the case of a no-deal exit, all bets are off and British citizens will become third-country nationals overnight on 29/30 March this year.

However, the announcement represents a statement of intent and isn’t set in tablets of stone until it’s certain a no-deal exit is off the table, even although the Cyprus government fully intends to protect its British expats by keeping their rights indefinitely in spite of a no-deal scenario. One reason is that the area of personal rights comes under national competency, thus allowing at least some wriggle room when going forward. In the case of a no-deal, Britons arriving in Cyprus will be allowed to stay for three months on a visa waiver, and can apply for permission to stay and/or work in the same manner as do third-country nationals.