Temporary Protection in Cyprus: Which Documents Need Translation

You got temporary protection in Cyprus - the hard part seems over. Showed your passport, filed the application, picked up your ARC card. Then you try to enroll your kid in school and - surprise - you need a sworn translation of the birth certificate. Into Greek. For 25 euros. And that’s just the start: work, bank, hospital, driver’s license - each one has its own document requirements. Let’s sort out what exactly needs translating and when, so you don’t waste money on unnecessary translations or end up standing in line twice.

What is temporary protection in Cyprus¶

Temporary Protection (TP) is a special status that the EU introduced for Ukrainians after February 24, 2022. Unlike refugee status, getting TP is much simpler - you don’t need to prove individual persecution, you just need to be a Ukrainian citizen or have had permanent residence in Ukraine.

In Cyprus, this status has been extended to March 4, 2027 - per the EU Council decision from July 2025. If you already have TP - it’s been extended automatically, you don’t need to file anything. For those whose permit was issued before July 15, 2025, you’ll get separate instructions from the migration service. For everyone who got their permit after that date - the extension is automatic.

Who qualifies¶

• Ukrainian citizens who were living in Ukraine before February 24, 2022
• Their family members - spouses, minor children, other close dependents
• Stateless persons or third-country nationals who had permanent residence in Ukraine and can’t safely return to their home country

Cyprus has one of the highest shares of temporary protection beneficiaries relative to population in the EU: 25.8 per 1,000 residents. The Ukrainian community here is large, and the support infrastructure is established.

Applying for temporary protection: NO translation needed¶

Here’s the good news: to apply for temporary protection, you don’t need any translations. The Asylum Service accepts Ukrainian documents in their original form. Not into Greek, not into English - nothing needs translating.

What documents you need¶

• Foreign passport or whatever document you used to enter Cyprus. They accept biometric, regular, even expired ones - there’s an exception for Ukrainians
• Copy of the page with your exit stamp from Ukraine (or entry stamp into the first country after Ukraine, if available)
• Copy of the page with your entry stamp into Cyprus
• A Cypriot phone number - mandatory. You can’t submit the online application without a local number. You can buy a SIM card at any περιπτερό (kiosk) - they’re open 24/7, starter packs from 5 euros

No passport? An internal Ukrainian passport (booklet), ID card, or even a temporary travel document issued by Ukraine will work.

For children under 14, a birth certificate is enough as an identity document. For families, you’ll need to prove the relationship - marriage certificate, child’s birth certificate. But even these documents are submitted in their original form, no translation needed.

How to apply¶

Online - through the Asylum Service website. Upload scans or photos of your documents, fill out the form. You’ll get a response by email within a few days. This is the fastest way.

In person - at the Asylum Service headquarters in Nicosia. Bring your original documents and fill out a paper form on the spot.

What happens after approval¶

After your application is approved, you need to visit a district immigration office (Civil Registry and Migration Department - CRMD) within 48 hours. There you’ll:

1. Fill out the MIPA3 form (one for each family member)
2. Submit biometrics - photo, fingerprints, signature
3. Receive your ARC document (Alien Registration Certificate) - issued on the spot

The actual plastic card comes later - usually within 2-3 weeks for work permits. Sometimes it takes longer, especially in Paphos - they traditionally have the heaviest workload.

Check your application status via SMS: send a message in the format STATUS 001234/2022 (your application number from the ARC document) to 1199.

Where to find immigration offices¶

Cyprus has 5 district CRMD offices:

• Nicosia - main office
• Limassol - second largest city, big Ukrainian community
• Larnaca - convenient if you live near the airport
• Paphos - usually the longest wait times for documents
• Famagusta

Rights under temporary protection¶

With your TP ARC card, you get access to essential services. Here’s what specifically:

Work - you can work legally without additional work permits. Your employer just needs your ARC with the TP mark. No separate work permit required, unlike for regular foreigners.

Free healthcare - at all public hospitals and clinics. For appointments, bring your ARC or the confirmation letter from the Asylum Service. Emergency services at 112. TP holders also have access to private doctors through the GESY system with their TP card.

Free education - public schools accept Ukrainian children for free, including children of non-compulsory age (tuition fee exemption). You can combine a Cypriot school with online learning under the Ukrainian curriculum.

One-time financial aid - €340 per adult (amount may vary for families with children). Apply at any of the 5 district Social Insurance Services offices.

Greek language courses - the Ministry of Education runs free courses for adults and children at public schools. They start in September-October. Classes are group-based, international, and conducted in English. This is the cheapest (free) way to learn Greek.

After getting TP: which documents need translation¶

Here’s where things get interesting. For TP itself, no translation is needed. But for actually living your life in Cyprus - you can’t avoid translations. What exactly you need depends on your specific situation.

Employment¶

For basic employment with your TP ARC card, no extra documents are usually needed - the card itself is enough for your employer. You don’t need a separate work permit, and no translations just to start working.

But if you’re applying for a qualified position (healthcare, engineering, accounting, IT), your employer may ask for:

• Diploma - translated into English or Greek. English is usually fine since most Cypriot companies operate in English
• Employment record book or reference letters from previous jobs - as proof of experience
• Professional certificates and licenses - depending on the field

For regular employment, the translation doesn’t necessarily need to be sworn - plain translations are often accepted. But if it’s about qualification recognition (for example, for doctors or engineers through ΕΤΕΚ) - you’ll need a sworn translation done by a translator from the PIO register.

Enrolling children in school¶

To enroll a child in a public school, you’ll need:

• Birth certificate - sworn translation into Greek or English
• ARC card (TP confirmation)
• Medical certificate - issued on-site by a Cypriot doctor
• School documents from Ukraine (report card, character reference) - translation is preferred but not always required

Apply through your district education department. The Cyprus Ministry of Education has translated all key instructions into Ukrainian, so the process is straightforward.

Greek is the safest bet for school documents. The Ministry of Education works in Greek, and while major cities (Nicosia, Limassol) accept English, smaller towns may insist on Greek. More about choosing the right translation language in Cyprus.

Private English-language schools are also available for Ukrainian children, but they’re paid. There’s also the option of combining a Cypriot school with distance learning under the Ukrainian program - this way the child maintains a connection with the Ukrainian education system.

Healthcare and GESY¶

For medical care at public hospitals, your ARC card or the Asylum Service confirmation letter is enough - no translation needed. This applies to both routine visits and emergencies.

But there are situations where you’ll need translations:

• Medical records from Ukraine - if you want to show a Cypriot doctor your test results, MRI scans, hospital discharge summaries - you’ll need a translation into Greek or English
• Prescriptions - if you’re taking medication you started in Ukraine, the doctor will ask for a translated prescription or medical summary
• For the GESY system (General Healthcare System) - TP holders have access to GESY, but when transitioning to a different residence status, they may ask for translated medical documents

Medical documents count as specialized translation. They cost more: €28-32 per page instead of the standard €25. Accuracy of medical terminology matters here, so look for a translator with a medical specialization.

Opening a bank account¶

To open an account at a Cypriot bank, you’ll need:

• ARC card or letter from the Asylum Service
• Foreign passport
• Proof of address in Cyprus (utility bill, rental agreement)

Banks in Cyprus are used to working in English - it’s a former British colony, and the financial sector is fully English-speaking. Passport translation is usually not needed. But some banks may ask for translations of additional documents - like income statements or Ukrainian bank statements. In that case, an English translation will do.

The EU recommends that member states make it easier for TP holders to open bank accounts - even while the permit is still being processed. In practice, major banks (Bank of Cyprus, Hellenic Bank) are cooperative, smaller ones can be stricter.

Exchanging your driver’s license¶

After 185 days of staying in Cyprus, you’ll need to exchange your Ukrainian driver’s license for a Cypriot one. The process goes through the Department of Road Transport.

What you need:

• Ukrainian driver’s license
• Sworn translation of your driver’s license into Greek or English (through a translator from the PIO register)
• ARC card
• Medical certificate from a Cypriot doctor
• Photo

There’s a catch: new EU regulations allow recognition of Ukrainian digital driver’s licenses (through Diia) without translation for the duration of temporary protection. But in practice, this doesn’t work everywhere yet. If you’re planning to drive in Cyprus - better safe than sorry, get the translation done ahead of time so you don’t end up in a situation where your license isn’t accepted.

More about exchanging driver’s licenses in different EU countries in our articles on license exchange in Germany and Greece.

Renting accommodation¶

For signing a rental agreement, document translation usually isn’t needed - your ARC card and passport are enough. Rental contracts in Cyprus are often in English or bilingual (Greek + English).

But if the landlord asks for proof of income or a reference letter from your Ukrainian employer - you’ll need a translation. English is fine.

Summary table: what to translate and into which language¶

Situation	What to translate	Language	Translation type	Price
Applying for TP	Nothing	-	-	Free
Work (basic)	Nothing (ARC is enough)	-	-	Free
Work (qualified)	Diploma, certificates	English or Greek	Sworn	€22-32/page
School	Birth certificate	Greek (safer)	Sworn	€25
School	Report card, school docs	Greek or English	Plain or sworn	€16-25/page
Healthcare	Medical records, prescriptions	Greek or English	Sworn	€28-32/page
Bank	Usually nothing	-	-	Free
Driver’s license	Driver’s license	Greek or English	Sworn (PIO)	€16-25
Renting	Usually nothing	-	-	Free

More about when to choose Greek vs English in our detailed article.

Sworn translation in Cyprus: how, where, how much¶

In Cyprus, official translations are done exclusively through Sworn Translators registered with the Press and Information Office - PIO. These aren’t just anyone who knows the language - they’re specialists who’ve passed an exam and received a government license. Their translations carry the stamp of the Republic of Cyprus and have legal force.

Translation prices¶

Prices are regulated and transparent - here are the current rates:

Document type	Translation + VAT	Stamp duty	Total
Standard (certificates, references, passports)	€23	€2	€25
Short document (under 100 words)	€14	€2	€16
Educational (diplomas, transcripts, report cards)	€20	€2	€22
Specialized (medical, legal, technical)	€26-30	€2	€28-32
Review or new copy of existing translation	€9	€2	€11

Price is per standard page of 250 words. Rush translation (1-2 pages by next business day) costs an extra €3 plus stamp duty.

For comparison: in Germany, sworn translation runs 30 to 60 euros per page. In Greece - 15-25 euros plus 24% VAT. Cyprus sits somewhere in between, and prices are quite predictable.

Where to find a sworn translator¶

Register of Sworn Translators: pio.gov.cy, section “Register of Sworn Translators”. Search by language (Ukrainian) and city.

Ukrainian is listed among the available languages - you can find a translator from Ukrainian directly into Greek, without going through English as an intermediary. This is cheaper and faster.

PIO contacts: - Phone: +357 22 801261, +357 22 801193 - Email: translations@pio.moi.gov.cy

You can hand over documents to the translator in person or send them by courier - ACS Courier and Akis Express both operate in Cyprus.

If you need a preliminary translation before visiting the sworn translator - ChatsControl can help you prepare a draft. The sworn translator gets a ready text and produces the official version faster. And if you need a certified translation for government submissions - we can help with that too.

Don’t forget the apostille¶

Documents from Ukraine must have an apostille before translation. This is critical: first the apostille in Ukraine, then the sworn translation in Cyprus. Without an apostille, the translator may refuse.

As one Cypriot translator explained in an online community: “People often bring documents without an apostille and wonder why I can’t translate them. The apostille is the first thing you need to take care of while still in Ukraine.”

If you’re already in Cyprus without apostilled documents - contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Nicosia. They can advise on options. But the embassy itself doesn’t issue apostilles - that’s done only in Ukraine.

For temporary protection holders, there’s some leniency: some offices accept documents without an apostille, understanding that getting one is difficult during wartime. But this isn’t guaranteed and depends on the specific clerk. If you have the chance - get the apostille done.

Total translation budget estimate¶

Let’s calculate a realistic budget for a typical family (two adults, one child):

Document	Pages	Price per page	Total
Child’s birth certificate	1	€25	€25
Driver’s licenses (two adults)	2 × 1	€16	€32
One parent’s diploma (for work)	3	€22	€66
Total			€123

That’s the minimum set. If you also need medical certificates, employment records, or additional school documents - the budget goes up. A full package for a family with two kids can run €200-300.

Tip: don’t translate everything at once. Start with just the documents you need right now (say, the birth certificate for school). Do the rest as the need arises.

If your documents were lost due to the war¶

A separate situation - when you simply don’t have your Ukrainian documents. Many people left with nothing but the essentials because of the war, without birth certificates, diplomas, or reference letters.

What to do:

1. Contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Nicosia (+357 22 468733) - they can help with document restoration or issue temporary replacements
2. Try getting copies online - through the Diia portal or the consulate, you can request duplicates of some documents
3. Explain your situation - Cypriot officials are aware of what’s happening in Ukraine and often accommodate. If a document is missing because of the war, this is usually taken into account

More about restoring documents lost due to the war in our detailed article.

What to do after 2027¶

Temporary protection runs until March 4, 2027. After that, the EU doesn’t plan to automatically extend this status - member states will be asked to define their own transition rules.

What this means for you:

If you’re planning to stay in Cyprus - start thinking about transitioning to a different status now:

• Pink Slip (temporary residence permit) - for work or study, issued for one year, renewable up to 4 years
• Category F (permanent residence) - if you have a stable income of at least €9,568/year plus €4,613 per dependent
• Naturalization - Cypriot citizenship after 7 years of legal residence

Each of these statuses will require a full set of translated documents - and the translation requirements will be stricter than for TP. More about permit types and translation requirements in our detailed article.

If you’re planning to move to another EU country - remember that you can only have temporary protection in one country at a time. Before moving, you’ll need to notify the Cypriot migration service.

Long-term tip: even if you don’t need translations right now - start collecting and apostilling your documents ahead of time. When it’s time to transition to a permanent status, you’ll be ready instead of scrambling at the last minute.

Useful contacts¶

Organization	Contact	What they do
Government hotline	1450 (free)	General TP questions
Asylum Service	www.moi.gov.cy/asylum	TP applications, status checks
PIO (translations)	+357 22 801261	Sworn translator register
Embassy of Ukraine	+357 22 468733	Consular services, documents
Emergency	112	Medical, police, fire
Status check	SMS to 1199	FORMAT: STATUS + application number
UKR.CY (community)	ukr.cy	Info portal for Ukrainians in Cyprus

FAQ¶

Do I need to translate documents to apply for temporary protection in Cyprus?¶

No. The Asylum Service accepts Ukrainian documents in their original form - passports, certificates, ID cards. No translation into Greek or English is needed. That’s one of the advantages of TP status - a maximally simplified procedure.

How much does sworn translation cost in Cyprus?¶

A standard document (certificate, reference) is €25 per page (250 words), including VAT and stamp duty. Short documents (under 100 words) are €16. Specialized translation (medical, legal) runs €28-32. Find translators in the PIO register.

Should I translate into Greek or English?¶

Depends on the situation. For work and banking - English is usually fine. For school - Greek is safer. For healthcare - both work. The golden rule: a Greek translation will be accepted always and everywhere, English - almost always, but not guaranteed. Detailed language comparison table in our article.

Do Ukrainian documents need an apostille for Cyprus?¶

Yes, for sworn translation you’ll need an apostille. It’s issued only in Ukraine, before the translation. But for temporary protection holders, some offices make exceptions if getting an apostille is impossible due to the war. This isn’t guaranteed - it depends on the specific office.

What happens after temporary protection ends in 2027?¶

The EU doesn’t plan to automatically extend TP after March 2027. Each country will set its own transition rules. If you’re planning to stay in Cyprus - start preparing documents for transitioning to a different status (Pink Slip, Category F, naturalization) now. Each one will require a full set of translated documents.