If you're moving to Cyprus permanently from outside the EU, you may be able to import your personal car without paying customs duty and VAT under the Transfer of Normal Residence scheme. Here's what you need to know before applying.
Who qualifies?
The exemption is available to people relocating their normal place of residence from a non-EU country to Cyprus.
To qualify, you generally need to prove that:
- you lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months;
- you owned and regularly used the vehicle for at least six months before moving;
- you're importing the car for your own personal use;
- the vehicle arrives in Cyprus within 12 months of your relocation.
Which documents will you need?
Cyprus Customs asks applicants to submit the AP2 application together with documents proving both their previous residence and their move to Cyprus.
Typical documents include:
- passport (and family members' passports if applicable);
- Cyprus residence permit or confirmation of your immigration appointment;
- delivery order for the vehicle;
- registration certificate;
- proof of vehicle insurance;
- utility bills;
- bank statements;
- proof of your address abroad and in Cyprus.
If your passport clearly shows your entry and exit stamps, Customs says flight tickets are usually not required.
Bank statements matter more than many people expect
One of the most important parts of the application is proving where you actually lived.
Customs specifically looks for face-to-face card transactions, such as:
- supermarket shopping;
- petrol stations;
- cafés and restaurants;
- everyday retail purchases.
Online payments and standing orders generally don't prove your physical presence.
The good news is that Revolut statements are accepted, so you don't necessarily need statements from a local bank.
Be prepared to show your travel history
Applicants are also asked to complete a declaration listing every stay in Cyprus during the previous two years, including arrival dates, departure dates and the reason for each visit.
This helps Customs determine when your normal residence actually moved to Cyprus.
What if your car is more than five years old?
If your vehicle is over five years old and was imported from outside the EU, you'll also need approval from Cyprus' Road Transport Department before it can be registered.
The department may request additional documents showing that you genuinely lived outside the EU and now intend to settle permanently in Cyprus.
Can Customs ask for more documents?
Yes.
Even if you submit everything requested, Customs may ask for additional evidence before making a decision.
The stronger your proof that you genuinely relocated to Cyprus, the smoother the process is likely to be.
What happens if your application is rejected?
If you don't qualify for the scheme, you'll have to pay the normal import duty and VAT.
If your temporary import permit is about to expire, Customs will require you to either:
- re-export the vehicle;
- pay the applicable duties and VAT;
- place the vehicle into customs storage;
- or use another customs procedure available under Cyprus law.
So, and?
The Transfer of Normal Residence scheme can save new residents thousands of euros when bringing a personal vehicle to Cyprus.
However, approval depends on one key point: you must be able to prove that you're genuinely relocating your normal residence to Cyprus, not simply importing a car.
If your documents clearly show where you've lived, how long you've owned the vehicle and that you've now settled in Cyprus, your chances of qualifying are significantly higher.
