Yellow Slip for non-EU citizens in the Republic of Cyprus: MEU2, documents, and deadlines

For family members of an EU citizen who are not EU citizens themselves, the Republic of Cyprus applies the MEU2 procedure—a Residence Card for a family member of an EU citizen—rather than the standard Yellow Slip used for EU citizens. The application must be submitted no later than 4 months after entering the Republic of Cyprus. During the submission, the EU citizen must be present with the family member to confirm their own right of residence in the country. A Residence Card under MEU2 is typically issued for 5 years, and it is advisable to double-check the amount and payment procedure for the fee at the Migration Department on the date of application.

MEU2 is not issued "for employment or starting a company" by the applicant themselves. This procedure is specifically intended for family members of an EU/EEA citizen who is exercising their right of residence in the Republic of Cyprus as an employee, self-employed person, student, or person with sufficient means.

• What is MEU2
• Who Can Apply
• Required Documents
• Deadlines and Card Validity
• How to Apply
• Where to Apply
• Glossary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• If You Need Help with MEU2 Submission

What is MEU2

MEU2 is a Residence Card for a family member of an EU/EEA citizen who is not an EU/EEA citizen themselves. In colloquial terms, this document is also often called a Yellow Slip, but for this specific category, it is more accurate to use the designation MEU2.

This procedure pertains to the right of a family to live together in the Republic of Cyprus when the main applicant—an EU citizen—is already living in the country or is moving there and confirms their legal basis for residence.

Who Can Apply

An application for MEU2 is submitted for a family member of an EU/EEA citizen who is not an EU/EEA citizen. This category typically includes:

• The spouse of an EU citizen;
• Children;
• Other dependent family members, provided the dependency is documented;
• In some cases, a partner, if there is evidence of a durable relationship and the case is accepted by the migration authorities based on the specific set of documents.

At the time of submission, the EU citizen must be present with the family member and provide proof that they are living in the Republic of Cyprus as an employee, self-employed person, student, or person with sufficient means and insurance coverage, as required by the category.

It is best to check the current rules of the Migration Department regarding appointments before applying. For Nicosia, the appointment procedure for different categories changes, and not every submission requires a prior appointment.

Required Documents

The basic package for MEU2 usually includes:

• Valid passport of the applicant and copies;
• Visa, if required for entry into the Republic of Cyprus;
• Completed MEU2 form;
• Document proving the family relationship with the EU citizen;
• Proof of family ties, such as a marriage certificate or children's birth certificates;
• Two passport-sized photographs;
• Documents of the EU citizen confirming their right of residence in the Republic of Cyprus.

Additional Documents by Category

Depending on the situation, the following may be required:

• Proof of a durable relationship with the EU citizen;
• Documents regarding financial dependency or a joint household;
• Medical documents if the dependency is based on health conditions;
• Proof of employment of the EU citizen, their self-employed status, studies, or availability of sufficient means.

Requirements for Foreign Documents

Public documents issued outside the Republic of Cyprus must generally be translated into Greek or English. Most such documents also require an apostille if the country is a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, or consular legalization following the general procedure.

Deadlines and Card Validity

The MEU2 application is submitted no later than 4 months after entry into the Republic of Cyprus. The document itself is usually issued for 5 years. It is better not to fix the old estimate of "3–5 months" as a general rule, because actual processing times depend on the department's workload and the completeness of the document package.

If the family status, address, or basis of residence for the applicant or the EU citizen changes, this may require additional notification or the submission of a new set of documents depending on the situation.

How to Apply

1. Ensure that you fall under the MEU2 procedure, meaning you are a family member of an EU/EEA citizen and are not an EU/EEA citizen yourself.
2. Prepare your passport, the MEU2 form, photographs, and documents proving the family relationship.
3. Collect the EU citizen's documents confirming their right of residence in the Republic of Cyprus: employment, self-employment, studies, or sufficient means.
4. Check if translation, apostille, or consular legalization is required for your foreign documents.
5. Verify the current submission procedure at the Migration Department or the relevant district office of residence.
6. Submit the application in person together with the EU citizen within 4 months after entry.

Where to Apply

It is best to check the official pages of the Migration Department of the Republic of Cyprus for the current submission procedure and contact details. For general information, you can use:

• Migration Department: migration@md.mip.gov.cy
• Migration Department Phone: +357 22 308 808

The following materials from Cyprus-FAQ may also be useful: what is a Yellow Slip, Yellow Slip for EU citizens, and what is an Alien Card or ARC.

Glossary

• MEU2 — Residence Card for a family member of an EU/EEA citizen who is not an EU/EEA citizen and resides in the Republic of Cyprus on a family basis.
• Yellow Slip — A colloquial name for registration and residency documents for EU citizens and their families in the Republic of Cyprus.
• Residence Card — A residence permit confirming the right to stay based on the relevant grounds.
• Apostille — A form of authentication for a foreign document for countries that have joined the 1961 Hague Convention.
• Self-employed — A status of independent professional activity that can be used by an EU citizen as a basis for residence in the Republic of Cyprus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an MEU2 if I am not an EU citizen and just found a job in the Republic of Cyprus?

No. For employment or other independent migration grounds, other procedures apply. MEU2 is specifically intended for family members of an EU/EEA citizen.

Do I need to submit the application within 4 months after entry?

Yes. For family members of an EU citizen who are not EU citizens themselves, the application is submitted no later than 4 months after entering the Republic of Cyprus.

Is the presence of the EU citizen mandatory during submission?

Yes. When applying for MEU2, the EU citizen usually attends with the family member and confirms their right of residence in the Republic of Cyprus.

How long is the MEU2 card usually issued for?

Typically, a Residence Card under MEU2 is issued for 5 years.

Are an apostille and translation of documents required?

Yes, this is usually required for foreign public documents. Documents are translated into Greek or English, and then an apostille or consular legalization is obtained depending on the country of issue.

Can I use an old appointment link as a universal one?

No. The booking and reception procedure changes, especially in Nicosia. It is better to check the current instructions on the official Migration Department page before applying.

If You Need Help with MEU2 Submission

If your situation involves proving a family relationship, translating and legalizing documents, preparing a package for the Migration Department, or verifying an EU citizen's basis of residence, you can obtain a professional consultation before applying. This helps to check the set of documents in advance and avoid the application being returned for revision.