Your first 90 days in Cyprus: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The pink-slip file wants proof of local funds — statements or a deposit in a Cyprus bank — while local banks take weeks to onboard; arrivals commonly hit this circular requirement first.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Aliens' Registry + temporary residence permit ('pink slip') at the Civil Registry and Migration Dept
Commonly filed within days of arrival, before the entry visa/90-day window expires
First-time applicants are registered in the Aliens' Registry (ARC number) at the same appointment; biometrics are taken and processing commonly runs several months.
Get your TIC (Tax Identification Code) from the Tax Department
Needed for tax residency (the 60/183-day rules), employment, and increasingly for banking and utilities.
Registered via the TFA (Tax For All) portal or form TD2001 at the district tax office; straightforward once a local address exists.
Open a bank account
Cypriot banks are compliance-heavy: passport, proof of address, bank reference and source-of-funds evidence are standard, and onboarding can take weeks; Wise/Revolut bridge the gap.
Enrol in healthcare
GeSY (GHS) covers those paying its contributions — enrolment on the beneficiary portal plus registering with a personal doctor; visitor/'pink slip' residents typically must carry private insurance instead.
Sort your driver's license
US licences are on Cyprus's recognised list: exchangeable without a test after about 6 months' normal residence (the US licence is surrendered); driving on it is permitted in the meantime.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Cyprus: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Cyprus?
Aliens' Registry + temporary residence permit ('pink slip') at the Civil Registry and Migration Dept — Commonly filed within days of arrival, before the entry visa/90-day window expires. First-time applicants are registered in the Aliens' Registry (ARC number) at the same appointment; biometrics are taken and processing commonly runs several months. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TIC and do I need one?
TIC (Tax Identification Code) from the Tax Department is Cyprus's personal tax/ID number. Needed for tax residency (the 60/183-day rules), employment, and increasingly for banking and utilities. Registered via the TFA (Tax For All) portal or form TD2001 at the district tax office; straightforward once a local address exists.
Can I drive in Cyprus on a US license?
US licences are on Cyprus's recognised list: exchangeable without a test after about 6 months' normal residence (the US licence is surrendered); driving on it is permitted in the meantime. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Cyprus?
GeSY (GHS) covers those paying its contributions — enrolment on the beneficiary portal plus registering with a personal doctor; visitor/'pink slip' residents typically must carry private insurance instead. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Cyprus's system treats foreign residents.