Temporary protection: Cyprus
🛰️ Varta monitors 7 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: Refugee Law 2000 (6(I)/2000), Articles 20–20IB (transposing EU Directive 2001/55/EC) + Council of Ministers Decision No 33/2022 of 22.03.2022 • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Enter Cyprus
With a biometric passport — visa-free up to 90 days. Without a biometric passport obtain an entry visa in advance (no earlier than 3 months and no later than 3 days before the trip). The main route is by air.
📍 Larnaca / Paphos airports💳 Free (visa-free) - 2
Apply for temporary protection at the Asylum Service
New applications are filed IN PERSON at the Asylum Service headquarters in Nicosia (online submission closed as of 04.03.2026). Bring copies of all documents. The decision with a “Notification” (confirmation letter) is often issued the same day or within 2–3 days; it covers all family members in the application.
▸ More details›
Questions — via temporary.protection@asylum.mip.gov.cy. The Notification already opens access to most rights (housing, healthcare, work) even before the permit is issued.📍 Asylum Service, Nicosia⏰ As soon as possible after arrival (no statutory time limit)💳 Free - 3
Submit biometrics and receive the permit with an ARC number
Within 2 working days after the Notification, visit any district Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police — no appointment needed. Nicosia residents may go to the Civil Registry and Migration Department. After biometrics you receive an ARC number; the permit is officially issued within 72 hours, in practice 5–7 working days.
📍 AIU of your district (Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta)⏰ 2 working days after the Notification💳 Free - 4
Apply for the one-off financial allowance
Contact Social Welfare Services where you live about available social assistance. The government’s 2023 report describes one-off aid and childcare support, but current amounts and availability need confirmation. Ask the government helpline 1450 about rental-support schemes.
📍 Social Welfare Services by place of residence💳 Free - 5
Healthcare: state hospitals
With the Notification or permit you are treated free of charge at state hospitals and state medical services. NOTE: this is not full access to GESY — private doctors via GESY are not available.
📍 State hospitals of your district💳 Free - 6
Work and school
Labour market access — immediate, under the same conditions as nationals, no separate permit. School is compulsory from age 4 years 8 months to 15: enrol your child in the public school of your educational district (or file a written application for online study under the Ukrainian curriculum). Free Greek language courses are available.
📍 Employer / district public school⏰ School — from the start of the school year💳 Free
Documents
Passport (international or internal) — copy
requiredA valid or expired passport or ID document is accepted.
Passport page with the stamp of departure from Ukraine / entry into the first country
if availableProves the date of departure due to the invasion (24.02.2022 or later).
Children’s birth certificates
requiredChildren under 18 are included in the main applicant’s application.
Marriage certificate
if availableThe family must have existed and lived in Ukraine before 24.02.2022; adult children apply separately.
Full address of residence in Cyprus and phone number
requiredHave them ready when applying — they are entered in the application.
Proof of lawful departure (for men)
if availableExit stamp from Ukraine or an official document (paper or electronic) confirming compliance with or exemption from military obligations.
Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
First and last name in LATIN letters exactly as in the passport.
Date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format.
Number of the (valid or expired) passport or other document. Attach a copy.
Date of departure from Ukraine (24.02.2022 or later). Attach the stamped passport page if available.
Full address in Cyprus and a mobile number — permit notifications are sent there.
Spouse and children under 18 who lived with you in Ukraine before 24.02.2022. Attach birth/marriage certificates. Adult children — a separate application.
❌ Missing the 2-working-day biometrics window after the Notification (permit delayed) ❌ No copies of all documents (bring copies — they may not be made on site) ❌ An adult child included in the parents’ application instead of a separate one ❌ Incomplete address or someone else’s phone number
As in the Notification/permit: name in Latin letters, ARC number.
All dependants with ages: 14+ — €170, under 14 — €100. Age counts at the date of application.
Attach a copy of the Asylum Service Notification or the residence permit.
The allowance is paid in cash in 1–2 instalments; confirm the schedule with your SWS office.
❌ Not all dependants listed (amount reduced) ❌ Missing copy of the Notification/permit ❌ Expecting monthly payments — the allowance is ONE-OFF
Benefits
One-off financial allowance
The government’s 2023 report described support for temporary protection holders without sufficient resources. Confirm whether the programme remains available, its current rates and eligibility with Social Welfare Services before applying.
How to apply: Apply to the Social Welfare Services by place of residence
Early childhood care allowance (up to 4 y 8 m)
As described in the government’s 2023 report: for employed parents with temporary protection, for a child under 4 years and 8 months. Check current availability, age conditions and the amount with Social Welfare Services.
How to apply: Via the Social Welfare Services (Ministerial Decision of 22.08.2022)
Rent subsidy
Temporary protection holders who stayed in hotels/state-designated accommodation and have no other housing.
How to apply: Online application; enquiries — government helpline 1450 (free)
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
Open a Wise accountThe price for you does not change; the commission supports our free guides.
Where to apply
Asylum Service — headquarters
District Aliens and Immigration Units (AIU) — biometrics
Cyprus Refugee Council (free counselling)
Contacts
What happens after protection ends
After temporary protection ends: switch to national residence grounds (work permit via an employer, study, family reunification) under general Cypriot immigration law. Temporary protection does not prevent applying for international protection (asylum) at any time. Years under temporary protection are currently not guaranteed to count towards long-term residence — plan ahead.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — Cyprus
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: Asylum Service — headquarters.
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
Asylum Service — headquarters
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Cyprus
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
Asylum Service — headquarters
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Cyprus
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
Asylum Service — headquarters
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Cyprus
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
Asylum Service — headquarters
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Cyprus
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
Asylum Service — headquarters
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
5 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I have to renew protection every year?
No. The status and permits are extended AUTOMATICALLY (most recently until 04.03.2027; by the EU Council decision of 30.07.2026 protection in the EU runs until 04.03.2028). No new application or new biometric permit is needed — follow the Asylum Service announcements.
I have a non-biometric passport. How do I enter Cyprus?
An entry visa is required: apply no earlier than 3 months and no later than 3 days before the trip. For protection registration itself, expired or internal documents are accepted. If you have no documents at all — contact the Embassy of Ukraine.
Can I leave Cyprus or visit Ukraine?
You may travel to other EU countries for up to 90 days without losing status; beyond 90 days the permit may be cancelled. Short trips to Ukraine have in practice not caused re-entry problems. If you decide to relocate permanently — notify the Asylum Service (in person or by email) to cancel protection in Cyprus.
Can I work immediately?
Yes. Labour market access is under the same conditions as for Cypriot nationals, with no separate work permit. The Asylum Service Notification or the residence permit is sufficient.
What social assistance is available?
The government’s 2023 report lists one-off aid of €340 for the main applicant, €170/€100 supplements for dependants depending on age, and €102 monthly childcare support for working parents. These are historical figures: current amounts and programme availability are not confirmed. Ask Social Welfare Services to assess your household’s entitlement; do not budget on the assumption that these amounts are guaranteed.
- UNHCR Cyprus — Persons Arriving from Ukraine
- Cyprus Asylum Service (MOI) ✓
- AIDA/ECRE — Temporary Protection Cyprus 2024
- Cyprus Refugee Council — Rent subsidy application
- Рада ЄС — продовження тимчасового захисту до 04.03.2028 ✓
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.