Yellow Slip vs Pink Slip Cyprus: What's the Difference?

These two terms come up constantly in expat groups and forums, and the confusion between them is understandable. The short answer: a yellow slip was for EU citizens living in Cyprus before Brexit. A pink slip is what non-EU nationals including UK nationals after Brexit need today.

Yellow Slip (MEU1 / MEU2)

Registration certificate for EU citizens
Issued to UK nationals living in Cyprus before 31 Dec 2020
Paper format, no expiry date on the document itself
UK nationals who held a yellow slip should check with the CRMD whether they need to exchange it for a biometric card
No longer issued to new applicants

Pink Slip (Temporary Residence)

Temporary residence permit for non-EU nationals
Required by UK nationals arriving from Jan 2021 onwards
Annual renewal up to 5 years
Requires proof of stable income and a Cyprus bank deposit above the minimum threshold
Currently issued as a biometric card

The Pre-Brexit Situation Explained

Before 31 December 2020, UK nationals living in Cyprus were EU citizens and registered as such. The process was simple: arrive, register at the local immigration office within three months, receive a yellow MEU1 registration certificate. No income threshold, no bank deposit, no annual renewal.

That regime ended with Brexit. UK nationals who were already legally resident in Cyprus before that date are protected under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement and retain their right to remain, but they must now hold the correct document to prove it.

If You Arrived After January 2021

You go straight to the Pink Slip route. There is no yellow slip process available to you. As a third-country national, you must apply for a Temporary Residence Permit, demonstrate the income threshold, deposit funds in a Cyprus bank account, and renew annually.

The process is more demanding than the pre-Brexit EU registration was, but it is well-established and thousands of UK nationals complete it successfully each year.

I have a yellow slip and haven't exchanged it yet. What do I do?

Contact the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD) at your local District Administration Office to check your current status and what document you should hold. Bring your original document, passport, proof of address, and a passport photo to any appointment.

Does a yellow slip give me the same rights as a pink slip?

They cover different categories of people. The yellow slip (now replaced by the biometric UKW card) reflects Withdrawal Agreement protection rights, which are in some respects broader than the Pink Slip temporary residence route. If you held a yellow slip before Brexit, your situation is different from someone arriving today, and generally more favourable.

Not Sure Which Document Applies to You?

Whether you have a yellow slip to exchange, a pink slip to renew, or you are starting from scratch, a short call will give you the exact answer for your situation.

Book a Free Strategy Call →