Cyprus Residence Permit: Should You Translate Documents Into English or Greek?

You’re putting together your documents for Cyprus, you open the migration department website - it’s all in English. You check a Ukrainian expat chat - one person says “translate into English, everyone speaks it here,” another says “no, Greek only, they turned me away in Nicosia with an English translation.” Who’s right? Both of them. And that’s the whole trick of Cypriot bureaucracy: the official language is Greek, but English works almost everywhere in practice. Almost - that’s the key word. Let’s figure out exactly where that line is.

Two official languages, but there’s a catch¶

Cyprus has two official languages - Greek and Turkish. English isn’t official, even though over 80% of the population speaks it fluently. That’s a leftover from British colonial rule: road signs are bilingual, contracts are often in English, banks and hospitals will talk to you in English without blinking.

But when it comes to government documents and immigration procedures - that’s where things get tricky. The law says one thing, practice says something slightly different.

What the law says¶

Under Cypriot law, a certified translation is a translation from a foreign language into Greek or Turkish, performed by a Sworn Translator registered with the Council of Sworn Translators under the Press and Information Office (PIO). Law 45(I)/2019 has regulated this system since July 1, 2019.

What actually happens¶

The Civil Registry and Migration Department accepts documents translated into both Greek and English. This is stated in the requirements for most permit types. But there are cases where a specific clerk or a specific office insists on Greek. So the safest bet is Greek, and English is “usually accepted, but not guaranteed.”

Types of residence permits: what goes where¶

Cyprus has several categories of residence permits, and language requirements can differ between them.

Temporary protection for Ukrainians¶

If you arrived from Ukraine after February 24, 2022, you’re eligible for temporary protection under the EU Directive. In Cyprus, this status has been extended to March 4, 2027.

For the temporary protection application, document translation is not required - the Asylum Service accepts Ukrainian originals. You only need your passport and copies of pages showing your exit from Ukraine and entry into Cyprus.

But for everything after that (work, healthcare, banking, school) - you’ll need translations. And that’s where the “Greek or English” question kicks in.

Pink Slip (temporary permit for third-country nationals)¶

The Pink Slip is a temporary residence permit for non-EU citizens. It comes in three varieties: work, study, or visitor. It’s issued for one year and renewable for up to 4 years.

For the application you’ll need:

• Completed application form
• Medical certificate (tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis) - issued within the last 4 months
• Police clearance certificate from your country of residence for the past 6 months
• Health insurance
• Copies of passport pages

All documents in a foreign language must be translated into Greek or English and carry an apostille or diplomatic legalization.

Yellow Slip (EU citizen registration - MEU1)¶

If you hold EU/EEA citizenship, you need a Yellow Slip (registration certificate MEU1). It must be applied for within 4 months of arrival. Documents are accepted in English or Greek.

Permanent residence (categories A-F)¶

For a Permanent Residence Permit, requirements are stricter. Category F is for those with a stable income from abroad (starting at EUR 9,568 per year for a single person, plus EUR 4,613 for each dependent). Documents should be translated into Greek - English doesn’t always pass here.

How sworn translation works in Cyprus¶

The sworn translation system in Cyprus revolves around the Council of Sworn Translators under the Press and Information Office (PIO).

Who can translate¶

Only sworn translators from the Register of Sworn Translators. These aren’t just anyone who speaks the language - they’ve passed an exam and hold a license. The register is available on the PIO website (pio.gov.cy), where you can search for translators by language and city.

Ukrainian is on the list of available languages - so you can find a sworn translator from Ukrainian to Greek directly, no intermediate English needed.

What they translate¶

Sworn translators handle documents for official use: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, police clearance certificates, passports, bank statements, medical reports, title deeds, corporate documents.

How the process works¶

1. Bring the original document (or a notarized copy)
2. The document must have an apostille or diplomatic legalization before translation
3. The translator performs the translation, applies the Republic of Cyprus stamp and a stamp duty mark worth EUR 2
4. You receive an official translation accepted by all government bodies

One translator on a Cypriot forum shared: “People often bring documents without an apostille and are surprised when I can’t translate them. The apostille is the first thing you need to sort out while you’re still in Ukraine.”

How much translation costs in Cyprus¶

Sworn translator prices in Cyprus are regulated and fairly transparent:

For comparison: in Greece sworn translation runs 15-25 euros per page plus 24% VAT, in Germany it’s 30-60 euros. Cyprus falls somewhere in between, but without additional VAT on translation.

A birth or marriage certificate is usually 1 page, so EUR 18-20. A diploma with supplement - 3-5 pages, running EUR 55-95. A police clearance certificate - 1-2 pages.

When to translate into Greek vs English¶

Here’s a concrete table that’ll save you time and headaches:

The golden rule: if in doubt, translate into Greek. A Greek translation will be accepted always and everywhere. English - almost always, but not always.

Apostille: what you need to know¶

Just like in Greece, Ukrainian documents must have an apostille before translation. This is critical: first apostille in Ukraine, then sworn translation in Cyprus.

You can get an apostille in Ukraine through the justice authorities. If you’re already in Cyprus without apostilled documents - contact the Ukrainian Embassy in Nicosia for guidance. But the embassy itself doesn’t issue apostilles - that’s done only in Ukraine.

More details on the apostille for Ukrainian documents in a separate article.

Where to find a sworn translator in Cyprus¶

The Register of Sworn Translators is available on the Press and Information Office (PIO) website:

• Website: pio.gov.cy, section “Register of Sworn Translators”
• Search by language (Ukrainian) and city (Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca)
• PIO phone numbers: +357 22 801261, +357 22 801193
• Email: translations@pio.moi.gov.cy

Translators working with Ukrainian to Greek are in the register - no need to hunt for middlemen or do a double translation (Ukrainian to English, then English to Greek).

If you need a preliminary translation before you leave - ChatsControl can help prepare the translation, and you can get it certified through a sworn translator once you’re in Cyprus.

FAQ¶

What language should I translate documents into for a Cyprus residence permit?¶

The Cyprus Migration Department officially accepts documents translated into Greek or English. But for certain procedures (citizenship, permanent residence, school enrollment) they may require Greek specifically. The safest choice is Greek - it’s accepted everywhere, every time.

How much does sworn translation cost in Cyprus?¶

Standard price is EUR 18-19 per page (250 words), specialized translation (medical, legal) goes up to EUR 25. Plus EUR 2 stamp duty per certified copy. A birth certificate usually costs around EUR 20, a diploma with supplement EUR 55-95.

Do Ukrainian documents need an apostille for Cyprus?¶

Yes. All documents must have an apostille or diplomatic legalization before they can be translated. Apostilles are issued only in Ukraine - consulates abroad don’t provide this service.

Where can I find a sworn translator from Ukrainian in Cyprus?¶

In the Register of Sworn Translators on the PIO website (pio.gov.cy). You can search by language “Ukrainian” and city. Contact number: +357 22 801261, email: translations@pio.moi.gov.cy.

Does Cyprus accept translations done in Ukraine?¶

Translations done in Ukraine must be notarized. Translations done outside Ukraine must have an apostille on the translator’s signature. The most reliable option is to get a sworn translation done directly in Cyprus by a translator from the PIO register.