Cypriot identity card

The Cypriot identity card (Greek: Κυπριακό δελτίο ταυτότητας or Κυπριακή ταυτότητα; Turkish: Kimlik kartı) is issued to citizens of Cyprus. It can be used as a travel document when visiting countries in Europe (except Belarus, Moldova (old version), Russia, and Ukraine), as well as French overseas territories, Montserrat, and Georgia. This document is not valid in Turkey.

Cypriot identity card
Cypriot biometric identity card (front)
Cypriot identity card (back)
Type	Compulsory identity document
Issued by	Cyprus
First issued	24 February 2015 (biometric)[1]
Valid in	European Union United Kingdom (EU Settlement Scheme)[2] Rest of Europe (except Belarus, Moldova (old version), Russia, and Ukraine) Georgia Montserrat (max. 14 days) Northern Cyprus Overseas France
Eligibility	Cypriot citizenship
Expiration	Adult – 10 years Child – 5 years
Cost	Adult – €30 Child – €20

In February 2015, the Republic of Cyprus started issuing biometric identity cards.

In August 2020, new ID cards conforming to EU standards under Regulation (EU) 2019/1157|Regulation 2019/1157 began to be issued.^[3]

Physical appearance

The colour of the current Cypriot identity card is a light shade of cyan. The coat of arms of Cyprus is situated in the centre on both sides of the card. On the top left of the front side, the name of the Republic of Cyprus is printed in English, Greek (Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία, Greek pronunciation: [cipɾiaˈci ðimokɾaˈti.a]), and Turkish (Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti, Turkish pronunciation: [ˈkɯbɾɯs d͡ʒumhuɾijeˈti]), next to a smaller grayscale coat of arms.

Cards issued according to Regulation 2019/1157 feature the flag of Europe with Cyprus’ two-letter country code “CY” printed in negative under the card number. The card is valid for 10 years (5 years for minors under 18) from the time of issue.

Identity information page

Cypriot identity cards include the following data:

Front

• Photo of cardholder
• Card number
• Given names
• Surname

Back

• Sex
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Nationality
• Father’s name
• Mother’s name
• Mother’s maiden name
• Date of issue
• Date of expiry

The acquisition and possession of an identity card is compulsory for any eligible person aged 12 years and above.

National Alien’s ID card of Cyprus

The Cypriot Alien’s identity card used to be issued to citizens of other EU member states or nationals of third countries who were legal residents of the Republic at the time of application. It is still sometimes used in Cyprus for personal identification; however, it cannot be used as a travel document. The government stopped issuing such identity cards to foreigners in April 2011, as holders were often under the impression that the card granted EU-wide travel rights.

The Civil Registry and Migration Department announced in 2011 that the Ministry of Interior was considering introducing a new type of residence card to replace the non-national Cyprus ID card. This residence card would look similar to an ID card.

ID cards of citizens of Northern Cyprus

Main article: Northern Cypriot identity card

ID cards of Northern Cyprus are issued to citizens of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Turkey. Citizens of Northern Cyprus are those granted citizenship by its government, established following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, which divided the island’s Greek and Turkish communities.

Because Northern Cyprus is not internationally recognised, holders of its ID cards or passports do not enjoy rights of free movement. These IDs can, however, be used as travel documents when entering Turkey or the Republic of Cyprus through official checkpoints.

Every Turkish Cypriot is entitled to Turkish citizenship; however, many Turkish Cypriots born in Cyprus who can trace their residence before the partition can apply for and receive Cypriot citizenship.

See also

• National identity cards in the European Economic Area