Cypriot nationality law
| The Republic of Cyprus Citizenship Law, 1967 Ο περί του Πολίτου της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας Νόμος του 1967 Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti Vatandaşlık Kanunu, 1967 | |
|---|---|
| House of Representatives | |
| |
| Citation | No. 43 of 1967 |
| Territorial extent | Cyprus (including Northern Cyprus) |
| Enacted by | House of Representatives |
| Enacted | 28 July 1967 |
| Commenced | 28 July 1967 |
| Status: Amended | |
The primary law governing nationality of Cyprus is the Republic of Cyprus Citizenship Law, 1967, which came into force on 28 July 1967. Regulations apply to the entire island of Cyprus, which includes the Republic of Cyprus itself and Northern Cyprus, a breakaway region that is diplomatically recognised only by Turkey as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Cyprus is a member state of the European Union (EU) and all Cypriot nationals are EU citizens. They are entitled to free movement rights in EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, and may vote in elections to the European Parliament.
Individuals born to at least one Cypriot parent automatically acquire citizenship at birth only if neither parent is considered an illegal migrant. Birth in Cyprus by itself does not make a child eligible for citizenship. Foreign nationals may become Cypriot citizens by naturalisation after completing a residence requirement (normally seven years).
Cyprus was previously a colony of the British Empire and local residents were British subjects. Although Cyprus gained independence in 1960 and Cypriot citizens no longer hold British nationality, they remain Commonwealth citizens under British law. When residing in the United Kingdom, Cypriot citizens are eligible to vote in UK elections and serve in public office there.