Week 1: SIM card, temporary address, and booking your registration appointment
The moment you land, buy a Cypriot SIM from the airport arrivals hall — Epic and Cyta both have desks there, and €15 gets you a 30-day unlimited data plan. You need a local number for almost every next step. Your temporary address — a hotel, serviced apartment, or a friend's address — matters too: it's the address on your first official documents, and several later steps require a document sent there. Book your Civil Registry appointment immediately. EU citizens need this for the MEU1 registration (the Yellow Slip); non-EU citizens need it to start the Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) process. Appointment slots at crmd.moi.gov.cy typically fill 2–3 weeks out, so booking on day one means you won't lose three weeks waiting. You can book before you arrive.
Week 1–2: Opening your bank account
A Cypriot bank account is the hardest practical step in the first month, and the one that blocks the most other things — landlords require a local IBAN, utility direct debits require one, and some tax filings do too. Bank of Cyprus and Hellenic Bank are the main retail options; both require proof of address, proof of income or source of funds, and a valid immigration document (Yellow Slip, ARC, or a letter confirming your application is in progress). Bring every financial document you own to your first appointment. Expect 2–4 weeks from first contact to a functioning account. In the meantime: Revolut and Wise work as a bridge for day-to-day spending and EUR transfers, but they cannot substitute for a CY-prefix IBAN for deposits and bills. Non-EU applicants with complex fund sources should also look at AstroBank, which has historically been more accommodating for non-standard profiles. See our full Banking Guide for a decision tree by profile.
Week 2–3: Civil Registry appointment — Yellow Slip or ARC
EU citizens: bring your passport, proof of accommodation, proof of health insurance (or a note that you're registering for GeSY), and proof of income or employment (or sufficient funds — typically bank statements showing €30,000+ per year). The officer issues the Registration Certificate, sometimes still called the Yellow Slip. It's permanent and does not expire. Non-EU citizens: the ARC (Alien Registration Certificate) process is longer and requires your immigration permit document (tourist visa stamp, approved DNV, or PR permit letter), two passport photos, and proof of address. Depending on your permit type, the ARC takes 4–10 weeks to issue; you receive a receipt that serves as your interim document. Either way, the Civil Registry appointment is the single most important step in month one — everything downstream (bank, GeSY, utilities) becomes smoother once you have a registration number.
Week 3–4: GeSY, utilities, and broadband
Register with GeSY (General Healthcare System) at hio.org.cy — you need your ARC or Yellow Slip number. Registration gives you access to free or subsidised primary care, GP referrals, and most hospital procedures with small co-payments. It's worth registering even if you also carry private health insurance, since it costs nothing and provides emergency coverage. Electricity (EAC) and water are set up through your landlord's transfer — your letting agent handles the paperwork, but you provide your passport and ARC/Yellow Slip. Plan ahead: EAC connections take 2–5 working days. Broadband: Cablenet, Primetel, Epic and Cyta all offer 300–1000 Mbps fibre for €40–60/month; order on your first day in the apartment since installation typically takes 5–10 working days. For the gap period, your mobile data SIM (from week one) and most landlords' existing WiFi get you through.
Month 1–2: Driving licence, Tax Identification Number, and getting settled
EU licence holders: your EU driving licence is valid in Cyprus indefinitely — no exchange needed, though you may want to record it with the Traffic Department eventually. Non-EU licence holders must exchange within 6 months of becoming a Cyprus resident. The Traffic Department offices in Nicosia and Limassol handle this; book the appointment alongside your Civil Registry appointment since both have similar wait times. Your Tax Identification Number (TIC) can be obtained at any Tax Department district office; bring your passport and ARC/Yellow Slip. You'll need it for employment, self-employment, and for filing as a non-dom resident. Separately: if you're bringing a car from abroad, the import process involves the Customs Department and Vehicle Registration Office and typically takes 3–8 weeks — budget this into your timeline if you're shipping a vehicle rather than buying locally.