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Glossary · Cyprus PR

ARC - the alien registration number in Cyprus

The registration number of a foreign national in Cyprus. Issued after permanent residence is approved; the fee is €70 per person and the number stays with you for life.

Cyprus PR programme
€70per person
1number for life
ARCon every document

01 / In 30 seconds

The short answer

What it is
The registration number of a foreign national in Cyprus - Alien Registration Certificate
When issued
After permanent residence is approved, with biometrics
Cost
€70 per family member
Validity
The number stays with you for life

02 / In plain words

What ARC (Cyprus alien registration) means

ARC (Alien Registration Certificate, in Greek Αριθμός Εγγραφής Αλλοδαπού) is the registration number of a foreign national in Cyprus. Every family member granted permanent residence gets one: the applicant, the spouse and the children.

The number is assigned after approval, when the family gives biometrics at the Migration Department. The fee is €70 per person. The number never changes: it stays with you for life, even when the residence card is renewed.

In practice you need the ARC almost everywhere: at the bank, with your lawyer, at the tax office and in hospital. It is your identifier in Cyprus alongside your passport.

A simple example

A family of four is approved for permanent residence. Each gives biometrics and gets an ARC number; the fees are 4 × €70 = €280. Ten years later the residence cards are renewed, but the ARC numbers stay the same.

Where you will need the ARC

  • Opening a Cyprus bank account
  • Tax registration and a tax number
  • Enrolling in the GESY public health system
  • Property deals and contracts
  • School or nursery for the children

03 / What it covers

What to know about the ARC

01

What it is

  • Foreigner number in Cyprus
  • One per family member
  • Never changes
02

Cost

  • €70 per person
  • Paid at filing
  • Separate from the €500 application fee
03

When issued

  • After PR approval
  • With biometrics
  • At the Migration Department
04

Where needed

  • Bank and tax office
  • GESY healthcare
  • Contracts and deals

04 / How it works

How the ARC is issued

Step 1

PR approval

The Migration Department approves the family application.

Step 2

Fee payment

€70 for each family member.

Step 3

Biometrics

Photo, fingerprints and signature at the Migration Department.

Step 4

ARC number

Each person gets a number for life.

Step 5

Residence card

The number appears on the plastic PR card.

05 / Key facts

Key facts

01Who gets it

Every family member with approved PR

The applicant, spouse, children and students aged 18-25 with their own application each get a number. It is personal: everyone has their own.

02Cost

€70 per person

The applicant pays the fee for each family member to the Migration Department. It is separate from the €500 application fee: a family of four pays €280 for ARC.

03When it is issued

After approval, at the biometrics visit

The family visits Cyprus within a year of approval and gives biometrics at the Migration Department. The ARC number appears on the residence card.

04Validity

For life, the number never changes

The residence card is renewed every 10 years, but the ARC number stays the same. Banks, the tax office, hospitals and property deals ask for it.

Common mistakes

Confusing ARC with the TIC tax number

ARC is issued by the Migration Department, TIC by the tax authority. Banks and property deals usually need both.

Budgeting €70 for the whole family

The €70 fee is per person: a family of four pays €280, and a student with their own application pays another €70.

Not giving your ARC number to the bank after getting PR

Once the number is assigned, pass it to your bank and other organisations in Cyprus where you are registered. It confirms your status.

06 / Expert advice

Anna Kovalevskaya

How to prepare

Budget €70 for each family member and plan a trip to Cyprus to give biometrics after approval. Once you have the number, share it with your bank and tax adviser: many procedures in Cyprus start with the ARC.

What we do for you. We guide the family from application to residence card: we remind you of fees, book biometrics and explain where to use the ARC afterwards.

Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice

07 / Questions

Frequently asked questions

It is the alien registration number (Alien Registration Certificate). Everyone granted PR receives one, and it stays with the person for life.

€70 per family member. This is separate from the PR application fee of €500 per application.

After PR approval, when the family gives biometrics at the Migration Department. You need to visit for this within a year of approval.

Yes, every family member with approved PR gets a number, including children. The €70 fee is paid for a child too.

No. ARC is issued by the Migration Department and the TIC tax number by the tax authority; banks and deals usually need both.

No. The card is renewed every 10 years, while the ARC number stays the same.

Cyprus PR glossary

Related terms

Author: Anna Kovalevskaya

Reviewed by: Sergey Evdokimov

Sources: Cyprus Migration Department, gov.cy - Immigration Permits for Investors (4th revision)

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Anna Kovalevskaya, lead lawyer at BRIDGES GLOBAL
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer, citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice