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Glossary · Cyprus PR

Cyprus residence card - the plastic PR card

The biometric plastic card for Cyprus permanent residence. Issued for 10 years, for children until 18. The right to live in Cyprus is indefinite; the card is simply renewed.

Cyprus PR programme
10 yearscard validity
18child card until
∞right to live in Cyprus

01 / In 30 seconds

The short answer

What it is
The biometric plastic card for Cyprus permanent residence
Validity
10 years, for children until 18
The status itself
Indefinite; only the card is renewed
When issued
After approval and biometrics

02 / In plain words

What Cyprus residence card means

The residence permit card is the biometric plastic card for Cyprus permanent residence. Every family member granted permanent residence receives one.

The card is issued for 10 years, for a child until 18. It is important to separate the card from the status: the right to live in Cyprus under PR is indefinite, and the card is renewed when it expires.

The card shows the ARC number. It confirms your status when entering Cyprus, at the bank and at government offices.

A simple example

A family receives cards in 2026. The parents' cards are valid until 2036, their 14-year-old son's until he turns 18 in 2030. Everyone's right to live in Cyprus is indefinite; only the plastic is renewed.

Where you will need the card

  • Entering and leaving Cyprus
  • Bank and tax office
  • Healthcare and school
  • Proving status during monitoring

03 / What it covers

What to know about the card

01

On the card

  • Photo and details
  • ARC number
  • Biometrics
02

Validity

  • 10 years
  • Children until 18
  • Then renewed
03

Status

  • Right to live is indefinite
  • Kept through monitoring
  • Selling without replacement loses status
04

How to get it

  • PR approval
  • Biometrics
  • €70 ARC fee

04 / How it works

How the card is issued

Step 1

PR approval

Decision of the Deputy Ministry of Migration.

Step 2

Biometrics

Photo, fingerprints and signature at the Migration Department.

Step 3

Card production

A card is made for each family member.

Step 4

Collection

In person or through a representative.

Step 5

Renewal

After 10 years or when a child turns 18.

05 / Key facts

Key facts

01Card validity

10 years, for a child until 18

The card is a document, not the status itself. When it expires, the card is renewed and the right to live in Cyprus remains.

02Right to live

Permanent, subject to conditions

The status holds while the family passes monitoring: investment and insurance every year, police clearance for adults every 3 years.

03How to get it

Visit within a year of approval

Each family member gives biometrics in person at the Migration Department, and €70 ARC is paid per person. The cards are then issued.

04What is on the card

Photo, details and ARC number

The card confirms your status at the Cyprus border, at the bank and with authorities. The ARC number stays the same on a new card.

Common mistakes

Confusing the card's validity with the status

Only the plastic card expires. The right to live in Cyprus is permanent; the card is simply renewed.

Missing a child's card renewal at 18

A child's card is valid until their 18th birthday. Plan its renewal in advance, just like adults' cards after 10 years.

Selling the property assuming the card protects the status

A valid card does not save PR: selling the investment without an equivalent replacement leads to cancellation.

06 / Expert advice

Anna Kovalevskaya

How to prepare

Note the card expiry dates and your children's 18th birthdays: a child's card must be renewed, and from 18 they have their own status. Keep the investment and insurance in order - the status depends on them, not on the plastic.

What we do for you. We track your family's card dates and monitoring, remind you about renewals and prepare documents in advance.

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

07 / Questions

Frequently asked questions

10 years, and for a child until age 18. The card is then renewed.

Yes, the right to live in Cyprus under PR is permanent. Only the card has an expiry date, and the status holds while monitoring conditions are met.

Yes. For example, by selling the investment without a replacement, not passing monitoring or staying away from Cyprus two years in a row.

A photo, the holder's details and the ARC number. The number does not change when the card is renewed.

After PR approval and biometrics at the Migration Department. You need to come for biometrics within a year of approval.

At issue, the ARC fee of €70 per family member is paid. The application fee of €500 per application is paid earlier, at submission.

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