Yellow Slip (MEU1) in Cyprus: the step-by-step guide

The MEU1 form is the application for a Certificate of Registration, known as the Yellow Slip or ARC. It applies to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens residing in Cyprus for more than three months. It is not a visa and not a work permit — as an EU citizen you already have the right to be here. It is the registration that makes that residence official, and it is what almost every other Cyprus process asks you for afterwards: GESY, a bank account, a tax number.

• Valid passport or national ID
• Rental contract or title deed (stamped only if signed on or before 31 Dec 2025)
• Proof of employment, self-employment, or sufficient financial means
• Comprehensive health insurance cover — GESY registration or private insurance
• Two recent passport-sized photographs

Bring originals, not only copies. One 2026 change to know: stamp duty was abolished on 1 January 2026, so a contract signed this year is not stamped — but CRMD checklists may still mention a stamped contract, so confirm the current document list with your district office before the trip.

1. 1

   Confirm which tenancy document your CRMD office accepts

   Stamp duty was abolished on 1 January 2026 (Law 239(I)/2025). Rental contracts signed on or after 1 January 2026 are not stamped — there is no stamp to get and no fee to pay. Contracts signed up to 31 December 2025 can still be stamped, via the Tax For All portal from 1 April 2026. Official CRMD checklists may still mention a stamped contract, so confirm the current document list with your District CRMD office before your appointment.

2. 2

   Fill out the MEU1 application form

   The form is available at the Civil Registry and Migration Department. It asks for your personal details, address in Cyprus, and the basis on which you are residing here.

3. 3

   Submit in person at the CRMD office in your district

   The application is submitted in person — there is no postal or online route for the initial registration. Bring the originals of every supporting document, not just copies.

4. 4

   Pay the €20 processing fee

   Paid at the point of submission.

5. 5

   Keep the receipt — it is your proof of registration

   You receive a receipt immediately, and it serves as proof while you wait. The Yellow Slip card itself is issued within 7–30 days.

You have four months from arrival to apply. Registration is a legal obligation, not an administrative courtesy, and missing the deadline can carry a penalty of up to €2,562.90.

This is the single most expensive thing to get wrong, and it is the part that Facebook groups and even some law-firm summaries leave out entirely. Count four months from the day you arrived, not from the day you signed a lease.

€20 application fee per applicant — every family member pays their own. You get a receipt on the day you submit.

How long the certificate takes depends on where you file. In Nicosia it is often printed the same day. In other districts, including Larnaca and Limassol, two to eight weeks is normal. Plan around the receipt, not around the card. The certificate is valid indefinitely, but you must update it if you move address or your marital status changes.

Who needs a Yellow Slip?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who reside in Cyprus for more than three months. The MEU1 form is the application for the Certificate of Registration, commonly called the Yellow Slip or ARC.

What does the Yellow Slip cost?

A €20 application fee per applicant. That is the full official cost — stamp duty on rental contracts was abolished on 1 January 2026, so there is no longer a stamping fee for new contracts.

How long does it take?

You receive a receipt on the day you submit, which acts as proof of registration. How long the certificate itself takes depends on the district: in Nicosia it is often printed the same day, while other districts commonly run from two to eight weeks.

Is there a deadline, and what happens if I miss it?

Yes. You must apply within four months of arriving. Registration is a legal obligation rather than a formality, and missing the deadline can carry a financial penalty of up to €2,562.90. This is the part of the process most people are never told about.

Does the Yellow Slip expire?

The Certificate of Registration is valid indefinitely. You must update it if you change address or marital status.

Do I need health insurance before I apply?

Yes. Comprehensive health cover is one of the requirements — either GESY registration or a private policy. Many people register for GESY after they have the Yellow Slip, so plan the order carefully.

Is this the same as permanent residence?

No. Permanent residence is a separate application (MEU2) available to EU citizens after five continuous years of legal residence in Cyprus.

Once you hold the Yellow Slip, the two things most people do immediately are register for GESY, the national health system, and obtain a Tax Identification Code. Both have their own document requirements, and GESY expects you to already hold the Yellow Slip.