BREXIT and Brit access to the south.

torontomapleleaf · Post by **torontomapleleaf** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 2:45 pm

I'm sure that most of us are aware that in the event of a no-deal Brexit Brits in the north will have to obtain an International Driving Permit to drive in the south.
But; what if the Greeks ban us from crossing the border altogether?
Before people say that wouldn't happen they should take note of the fact that when the border crossings first opened the Greeks did indeed stop Brits from crossing until ordered by the EU to allow them access.
This scenario would obviously put the kybosh on among other things using Larnaca and Pathos airports.

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 3:26 pm

torontomapleleaf wrote:I'm sure that most of us are aware that in the event of a no-deal Brexit Brits in the north will have to obtain an International Driving Permit to drive in the south.
But; what if the Greeks ban us from crossing the border altogether?
Before people say that wouldn't happen they should take note of the fact that when the border crossings first opened the Greeks did indeed stop Brits from crossing until ordered by the EU to allow them access.
This scenario would obviously put the kybosh on among other things using Larnaca and Pathos airports.

The "Greeks" are not involved. However, if the RoC ban crossings, then, I would hazard a guess that traffic would increase to/from Ercan. That would seriously 'p off' the GCs even more as the monetary loss would be huge from lost air fares, airport fees, shopping, transportation, et al. Hey ho, we must wait and see! Interesting time ahead.

Hector · Post by **Hector** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 3:35 pm

My fear is that having flown into Larnaca, UK passport holders could be refused entry if they know you visit the north (as happened to the party from Israel last year). The south authorities will know if you cross the border if they start recording your ins & outs as they now do at Larnaca airport.

judyvin · Post by **judyvin** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 3:44 pm

I think you will find that they do record movements at the border. I've been across 3 times in the last couple of weeks and on all three occasions they checked the passports and recorded something on their system. Prior to that I always crossed after a cursory glance at the passports.

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 4:40 pm

torontomapleleaf wrote:I'm sure that most of us are aware that in the event of a no-deal Brexit Brits in the north will have to obtain an International Driving Permit to drive in the south.
But; what if the Greeks ban us from crossing the border altogether?
Before people say that wouldn't happen they should take note of the fact that when the border crossings first opened the Greeks did indeed stop Brits from crossing until ordered by the EU to allow them access.
This scenario would obviously put the kybosh on among other things using Larnaca and Pathos airports.

1. No one knows if an IDP will be required. 2. They are not Greeks they are Cypriots as are most on this side. 3. Why would they ban us, other nationalities cross. 4 Nothing wrong with the Airport this side, in 2017 I did 50 odd flights through Istanbul without issue and I have no idea where "Pathos" is.

I think wait and see is the order of the day. I would not be bothered if I never went south again, thee is very little I cannot get here.

jofra · Post by **jofra** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 5:44 pm

Hector wrote:My fear is that having flown into Larnaca, UK passport holders could be refused entry if they know you visit the north (as happened to the party from Israel last year). The south authorities will know if you cross the border if they start recording your ins & outs as they now do at Larnaca airport.

I've been coming via Larnaca since 2011, but I've never been asked as to where I am going - so IF they are recording my "ins & outs" at Larnaca, how would that indicate whether I crossed the border?
And that leads to -

judyvin wrote:I think you will find that they do record movements at the border. I've been across 3 times in the last couple of weeks and on all three occasions they checked the passports and recorded something on their system. Prior to that I always crossed after a cursory glance at the passports.

EVERY time I have crossed from South to North, I had thought that my passport was being inspected and recorded by Turkish-Cypriot officials - am I incorrect? Again, how would the GC side know other than when I return to the south?

torontomapleleaf · Post by **torontomapleleaf** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 5:55 pm

For Jonny;

Obviously you didn't take in the point I made about Brits being stopped when the borders first opened. If they could stop us then they wouldn't hesitate to do so now if there's a no-deal Brexit. As for Pathos? it's in the southeast of the island and the locals spell it Pafos. I can't do cyrillic so that will have to suffice.

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 7:05 pm

torontomapleleaf wrote:For Jonny;

Obviously you didn't take in the point I made about Brits being stopped when the borders first opened. If they could stop us then they wouldn't hesitate to do so now if there's a no-deal Brexit. As for Pathos? it's in the southeast of the island and the locals spell it Pafos. I can't do cyrillic so that will have to suffice.

Assuming this is for me.

No I did not miss the point.

You do not know they would stop us, no one knows, end of, anything else is speculation.

In the south east of the island there is a place the locals call Πάφος the rest of the world know it as Pafos or Paphos.

Juliette, Oscar, November, November, India, Echo

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 7:07 pm

Use Ercan, then no crossing worries.

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 7:21 pm

tomsteel wrote:Use Ercan, then no crossing worries.

Agreed, go south from time to time but can't see that it is the end of the world if I can't.

Chriswright03 · Post by **Chriswright03** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 7:51 pm

Looked at getting an International Driving Licence last time we were in the UK and were told it only lasted for one year. We may not be out by then if ever. just saying.

erol · Post by **erol** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 9:18 pm

The Green Line agreement between the RoC and EU defines who can and can not cross the green, both EU nationals AND third party nationals. The RoC can not unilaterally change this agreement. The RoC has more unilateral say over what third party nationals can enter the RoC itself than they have over who can cross the Green line. The risk with a no deal brexit is therefore as Hector pointed out in message 3. There is a chance that a third party national arriving in the RoC via larnaca or paphos, that they suspect will then subsequently travel to the north, will be refused entry in to the RoC itself. This, unlike who can cross the green line once IN Cyprus, is entirely under the unilateral control of the RoC as far as non EU third party nationals go.

So how will they 'know' you intend to cross the Green line once you are in Cyprus ? Well firstly they will just ask. So you lie and say no I will not be going to the North. So they ask where will you be staying ? What do you say now ? Now you not only risk not being granted entry in to the RoC you are risk prosecution for lying.

There will be a risk for UK nationals once we are no longer EU citizens and in the absence of any other agreement between the UK and RoC, who wish to travel via Larnaca or Paphos and cross the Green line. The risk is that you will be refused entry in to the RoC when you arrive at Larnaca or Paphos. To date such refusal of entry in to the RoC of thrid party nationals is very very small but not zero.

Reyntj · Post by **Reyntj** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 9:43 pm

Im sure i read somewhere that the uk was going to move to recognise trnc once they have left the eu. If that ever happened im sure the gcs would upset the apple cart but then we could all fly direct to ercan . The wife would be upset though as she likes to go shopping in nicosia

Reyntj · Post by **Reyntj** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 9:49 pm

i think they only refuse people who are staying in greek stolen properties . There is a list of hotels they have that i think has been published here before . I have a turkish title property so i would just say i was staying there . I believe the recent foreign nationals who where refused entry where israelis and russians and i think they where asked where they where staying and there accomodation was on the said list . This is all from memory so im not 100 % sure but i think along those lines.

frontalman · Post by **frontalman** » Wed 20 Mar 2019 9:55 pm

We went South the other day and as we handed our passports over on the Greek side I jokingly said "no to brexit". As the lady handed the passports back she said there may be a problem after brexit. Make of that what you will. I'm sure the Greek Cypriot authorities will make as much trouble as they legitimately can, at that time.

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 2:59 am

I am not convinced that the Greek Cypriots would want to bite the hand that feeds them. UK citizens are their main visitors in an industry that is the countries main source of income. If they stopped allowing people to enter the country / cross the border, it would be quite big news. The world has changed quite a lot since the days of the first border crossings. Social media platforms such as twitter, online news such as the daily mail comment section... it would basically cause them a lot of bad publicity.

Other popular UK holiday spots such as Spain, Greece, Tenerife etc won’t be deterring future UK customers, that’s for sure, and I doubt Cyprus would want to see their market share decrease, which it would do if they started to cause UK citizens issues. Your average UK citizen won’t be able to differentiate between the North and South. They would just see the headlines and book their holiday in Benidorm.

All in my humble opinion of course. As other posters have said, we will just have to wait and see what happens as at the moment, it is all pure speculation. With regards to the border crossing staff, they would probably be the last to know what is going on. Probably just scare mongering like the others.

erol · Post by **erol** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 7:05 am

Trigger wrote:I am not convinced that the Greek Cypriots would want to bite the hand that feeds them.

The RoC will not refuse entry to the RoC of any UK tourist that is arriving to holiday in the RoC. Stopping one in 100,000 or 1,000,000 that arrive there just as an easy and cheap was of 'transiting' to the North is an entirely different thing that will not impact their tourism income and might even arguably increase it - those that might today book a holiday in the north , whilst arriving and leaving via the South, may instead just book a holiday in the South. The refusal of entry to a tiny number of Israeli citizens was for example enough to discourage tour operators there offering package deals from Israel to the North that transit through the RoC - which was the entire objective of stopping them.

The fact remains that currently the RoC can not refuse entry to a UK citizen arriving at Larnaca or Paphos, regardless of if they may then cross to the North not. After we leave the EU and in the absence on any specific agreement between the UK and the RoC on the matter they could do this.

In my humble opinion the idea that they will not ever do this once they can is a form of 'wishful thinking' along the lines of "Coming to a free trade agreement with the EU should be "one of the easiest in human history"".

ardstrawray · Post by **ardstrawray** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 8:49 am

Most of what I read here is " project fear " and pure speculation, nobody knows what will happen, not even the people negotiating on our behalf.

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 9:02 am

ardstrawray wrote:Most of what I read here is " project fear " and pure speculation, nobody knows what will happen, not even the people negotiating on our behalf.

Don’t think this is a project fear.

It’s a subject we should be aware of and following. No point in burying your head in the sand thinking there won’t be any problems arriving in the ROC and then making a crossing to the north. Erol posts for me were very informative and gives an idea of what “could” happen. We will certainly be following developments over the next few months and once the U.K. finally leaves the EU see how the ROC authorities decide to apply the regulations.

If arriving in the ROC and crossing to the north becomes difficult so be it, we will use Ercan. It certainly will not stop us travelling.

erol · Post by **erol** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 9:31 am

ardstrawray wrote:Most of what I read here is " project fear " and pure speculation, nobody knows what will happen, not even the people negotiating on our behalf.

The other end of the 'project fear' spectrum is, imo, 'project just pretend there will be no negative consequences at all'. I personally think there are people at both ends of this spectrum.

We know absolutely that if and when the UK leaves the EU, UK nationals will not have the same automatic rights to free movement in to and within the EU that EU citizens have. Nor will they have the same rights to reside and or work in the EU.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 12:12 pm

Stop ROC citizens crossing to the north for cheap petrol medicines and casinos and see how they like it.

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 12:57 pm

Nice idea but I presume that as they are Cypriots they are fully entitled to cross over as and when they want.

Plus maybe the TRNC authorities are not really concerned as they wouldn’t want to restrict those living in the south crossing over as they are spending money in this unrecognised state.

kibsolar1999 · Post by **kibsolar1999** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 1:17 pm

before you may become too angry about the RoC administrations behaviour after a (thats we talk) hard no deal brexit, pls do not forget that "brexit" never was the idea of the RoC or EU people/gov/whatever.
the UK made the music.

any "reaction", most probably, is directly related to any changes reg EU citizens in the UK. denials, visa, whatever.

and as nobody knows what the UK "wants" (and will decide for), this discussion here is pure speculation.

but, of course.. in case of a no deal, there is some space for "interpretation"... reg visas, crossing to the north, driving licences and so on..

btw, they may know that which people cross to the north.. sometimes when crossing to the south, they put the ID for 5 seconds in a "reader".. and here we are...

nermal · Post by **nermal** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 1:20 pm

Cannot see what the problem is we have a perfectly good airport here .
Maybe not as many flying options .
What do people think we did proir to the border opening .
In my 34 years here I have flown once from Larnaca a big mistake when a worker helping me at immigration gave me the 3rd degree which town I lived in I was honest and told here where .
I then got a mouthful of abuse .
You mean you live in my house etc.
So for me the first and last time from Larnaca .
I flew BA to be hinest it was no patch on THY

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 1:52 pm

I guess which airport you arrive in comes down to personal preference. We prefer Laranaca as it is one flight and we always go shopping before crossing the border getting things we cannot buy in the North.

Whilst in North Cyprus we like going down to the south visiting places and sampling the restaurants down there. The food is slightly different. Not a massive problem if they don’t want me to spend my money there, can always find another country to spend it in.

And, I might be wrong, but if immigration asked me where I was heading and I gave an address of a southern side hotel... how would they know to stop me entering the country... or I am I being a bit thick?

erol · Post by **erol** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 2:06 pm

Trigger wrote:And, I might be wrong, but if immigration asked me where I was heading and I gave an address of a southern side hotel... how would they know to stop me entering the country... or I am I being a bit thick?

They call the hotel and ask if you have a reservation there ? If you do not - then you have lied to an immigration official and risk not only being refused entry to the RoC but potential prosecution for having lied.

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 2:07 pm

For us the only real disappointment if not allowed to cross to the south would be we could not visit the whole of this beautiful island. Having spent my informative teenage years in the early 70s living at Akrotiri, that set the Cyprus bug. Since then I myself have lived and worked on the island for over 8 years during my military service. Add to that all the holidays plus our time owning a property here in the north.

We love the whole island of Cyprus, there are so many beautiful and still unspoilt places to visit and always try and travel all over the island exploring old haunts and discovering new ones. However what will be will be.

Picking up on what the ROC authorities may ask....if they ask where are you staying and name a hotel in the south I would think they may well check if you had a reservation. Of course you may just then say I just turn up and book in. I think there was also a list of Turkish Cypriot Hotels here in the TRNC that were built on Turkish land and wholly owned by Turkish Cypriots so unsure if the ROC authorities could prevent you from crossing if you said you were staying in one of these. All a bit vague at the moment but that’s solely due to the U.K. having not finalised its Brexit deal.

I cannot get to excited about it all tho as the sun is shining and it’s a lovely day.

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 2:32 pm

erol wrote:
Trigger wrote:And, I might be wrong, but if immigration asked me where I was heading and I gave an address of a southern side hotel... how would they know to stop me entering the country... or I am I being a bit thick?
They call the hotel and ask if you have a reservation there ? If you do not - then you have lied to an immigration official and risk not only being refused entry to the RoC but potential prosecution for having lied.

Ok, best not do that, unless I fancy a bit of peace away from the wife.

What happens if I said I was going camping? Or perhaps, not sure where I was staying, I was going to see where I could find a last minute deal?

Maisiemoo · Post by **Maisiemoo** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 2:33 pm

nermal wrote:Cannot see what the problem is we have a perfectly good airport here .

Easy to say when you're fit and healthy and can cope with transfer from one plane to another! Unfortunately the special assistance at Ercan and Istanbul is nowhere near as good as that at Larnaca and I have heard some real horror stories of what some people have suffered. So whilst I am quite prepared to travel out via Ercan it's not something I am really looking forward to.

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 2:49 pm

Maisiemoo wrote:
nermal wrote:Cannot see what the problem is we have a perfectly good airport here .
Easy to say when you're fit and healthy and can cope with transfer from one plane to another! Unfortunately the special assistance at Ercan and Istanbul is nowhere near as good as that at Larnaca and I have heard some real horror stories of what some people have suffered. So whilst I am quite prepared to travel out via Ercan it's not something I am really looking forward to.

Third hand 'horror stories' - could be GC propaganda. Have you actually experienced a horror story using Ercan or the new airport in Istanbul? It could well be the case of Ercan or do not travel if the RoC authorities prove difficult.

Hector · Post by **Hector** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 3:07 pm

We book our flights through Larnaca a year in advance and we travel to NC at least 4 times a year, staying around 6-7 months in total over the year.

When CYTA was operating we were happy to fly to Ercan from London with a short 45 minutes stop off in Turkey. We really, really do not want the stress and hassle of changing planes in Turkey, moving to a different terminal and waiting for the connecting flight.

If we are forced to travel via Ercan and when combined with any move by the NC government to force us the 60+ 'swallows' to apply for residency for over 90 days in any one year then I think that our days in NC are numbered.

Maisiemoo · Post by **Maisiemoo** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 5:07 pm

Third hand 'horror stories' - could be GC propaganda. Have you actually experienced a horror story using Ercan or the new airport in Istanbul? It could well be the case of Ercan or do not travel if the RoC authorities prove difficult.[/quote]

Not third hand stories I'm afraid!. A friend had a horrible experience both at Ercan and Istanbul.
There was also.a.fairly recent report in the local.news of a group travelling from Ercan to Stansted who because of the failure of the specialist assistance team at Istanbul didn't get to board the Istanbul to Stansted leg and returned to NC. It must have been a horrible experience for them and doesn't inspire much confidence in me who travels with a disabled husband and finds travelling challenging at the best of times. We will travel.via Ercan if we have to because we refuse to give up just yet.

wanderer · Post by **wanderer** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 6:14 pm

Frank Gardener BBC correspondent has been abandoned all over the world by the airport assistance

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Thu 21 Mar 2019 7:07 pm

Stop worrying, it was fine before the borders opened so if UK continues over the Brexit cliff, it will be the same again. Any problems and the UK can always ask the EU if they would mind if the UK sent a gunboat to sort out the problem - lol. It will be what it will be just wait and see.

niceone · Post by **niceone** » Fri 22 Mar 2019 2:59 am

I don't think crossing the border will be a problem UNLESS you have TRNC stamps on your passport, when the border first opened they arrested people for entering the Island illegally (in their opinion) when they had TRNC stamps they still do it to non EU passport holders usually Turks and Israelis, they HAVE to let EU nationals cross at the moment but not post brexit I won't risk it, good luck to you that do, I hope you get away with it

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Fri 22 Mar 2019 6:06 am

Poshin Devon same applies the other way around then GC would lose a lot of revenue if we were not allowed in!

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Fri 22 Mar 2019 6:52 am

niceone wrote:I don't think crossing the border will be a problem UNLESS you have TRNC stamps on your passport, when the border first opened they arrested people for entering the Island illegally (in their opinion) when they had TRNC stamps they still do it to non EU passport holders usually Turks and Israelis, they HAVE to let EU nationals cross at the moment but not post brexit I won't risk it, good luck to you that do, I hope you get away with it

Get away with what?

I have Norwegian friends who cross the border on a regular basis without trouble.

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Fri 22 Mar 2019 10:15 am

Deniz1 wrote:Poshin Devon same applies the other way around then GC would lose a lot of revenue if we were not allowed in!

Agree that the GC would lose a lot of revenue.

However; if you landed and departed via Ercan the GC authorities may well allow crossing from north to south and south to north for shopping etc. I am not convinced that if you arrived or tried to depart via Larnaca or Paphos that the GC immigration may just start to ask questions and either not let you in or refuse your departure as you would have entered via an illegal port of entry.

I have no idea if there would be issues trying to cross the border but I would not be surprised. Any excuse to make things difficult and all that.

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Fri 22 Mar 2019 11:13 am

Why is there so much emphasis on what the RoC Immigration Authorities may or may not do to UK citizens if Brexit happens? Neither Norway or Switzerland (both European countries) belong to this EU club and their citizens are not hassled, nor are Canadian, USA citizens et al. Just wait and see what actually happens rather than speculate on the possibilities, then decide for yourself what you are going to do.

PoshinDevon · Post by **PoshinDevon** » Fri 22 Mar 2019 11:46 am

tomsteel wrote:Why is there so much emphasis on what the RoC Immigration Authorities may or may not do to UK citizens if Brexit happens? Neither Norway or Switzerland (both European countries) belong to this EU club and their citizens are not hassled, nor are Canadian, USA citizens et al. Just wait and see what actually happens rather than speculate on the possibilities, then decide for yourself what you are going to do.

A good point.

I have no idea of the numbers of Norwegian, Swiss, Canadian or USA citizens who may enter via the ROC and then cross to the north for a holiday or to return to a property in the north. Would be interesting to have some input from those in such a position.

Maybe some on this forum have friends from these countries who might be able to provide some information. Or maybe those more knowledgeable could enlighten us all further.

We are indeed waiting to see what happens and I am sure that within a short time we will here of any problems or if everything just remains the same.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Fri 22 Mar 2019 12:16 pm

If it is of any merit at all then here is what I asked the "Three Stripe" customs officer on duty at the SBA check point on Wednesday: "If the UK is foolish enough to leave the EU via Brexit on the 29th of March, will I still be able to cross into the SBA?" His reply was, of course you will there is no problem with you as a UK passport holder crossing into the SBA.

I carried on to Dhekalia and enjoyed the best fish and chips on the Island.

But that was then - this is now - and the 12th of April is yet another date - lol.

Medjoul1 · Post by **Medjoul1** » Fri 22 Mar 2019 12:52 pm

On Gov.UK, there is "Visit Eu after Brexit" advice. I had thought that the High Commisioner may have had some news for us at this late stage. Countries that aren't in the EU technically like Norway, Switzerland etc all have agreements in place already as part of their involvement with the member states. It does beggar belief that after two years our own gov. haven't got round to similar arrangements regarding their own citizens.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sun 24 Mar 2019 1:57 pm

Medjoul1, get behind it there, the UK gov is not really interested in it's citizens it only has interest in itself and I feel that the last few months have shown this to be very true indeed. However, if you are thinking of Cyprus then it is in the EU - by mistake apparently - but should Brexit actually happen within our lifetimes please remember that the SBA areas are part of UK and they will not be in the EU should the UK depart.

I asked the question of the customs officer because I have read that Cyprus and the UK already have a deal ready to apply post Brexit (only if the UK take the EU deal of course) and I just wondered what would happen and did the customs guys know! I guess that there is no need of a hard border between SBA areas and the EU as the SBA do not produce or sell any goods to the EU so no border would be required - maybe? I was interested to know if the civilian UK citizens employed or just living inside the SBA areas would require a visa to visit the EU - the customs man would not provide an answer to that question.

It could be fun but won't be to see all cars stopped on the motorways in the South that cross the SBA areas and then checked for goods and citizens without visa's - lol. My guess is that the Cypriot shrug will solve all the problems apart from the Ledra crossing point where the thugs would never let you cross if they had any sort of reason to apply.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Sun 24 Mar 2019 2:24 pm

The ~High Commissioner doesnt give a fig about the north hes too busy cozying up with his pals on the Greek side.

torontomapleleaf · Post by **torontomapleleaf** » Mon 25 Mar 2019 12:25 pm

Waddo;

RE SBA; between 1999 and 2004 four friends and myself regularly played and were members at Dhekalia golf club. To facilitate this we kept a fully Greek Cypriot registered car at Black Knight and used that to cross. Once the border 'opened' we were stopped by the SBA police on the apparent orders of the UK High Commission following pressure from the Cyps, resulting in us losing our club membership. A few months later the EU ordered the Greek side to let UK citizens across the border. So as Deniz1 said the High Commission "doesn't give a fig" about Brits in the north and will roll over for the Greek Cypriots in a flash.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Mon 25 Mar 2019 5:49 pm

Toronto maple leaf, I have no doubt that you are 100% correct that the High Commission does not give a fig about Brits in the North but I feel I must temper that statement by adding that the High Commission receives its orders from the British Government and is , kind of, between a rock and a hard place in this event. For sure the Government will never do anything to upset the RoC and will bend over backwards to avoid upsetting them. Currently I have noted in the news that the UK is considering withdrawing as a guarantor power - a perfect way of keeping the SBAs and passing the buck! However, I remain interested to see what will happen post Brexit.

Deniz1 · Post by **Deniz1** » Tue 26 Mar 2019 5:37 am

~H C has spent many months learning Greek will he now learn Turkish? I dont think so!

kibsolar1999 · Post by **kibsolar1999** » Tue 26 Mar 2019 8:30 am

https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/ ... answers_de

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/fi ... _final.pdf
it says

"1.1 Border checks and visas- For UK nationals travelling to the EU
As a UK national, you will no longer be entitled to use the separate EU/EEA/CH lanes at EU border crossing points, and you will be subject to additional checks that you did not have to go through before the UK’s withdrawal.
In particular, border guards may ask you to provide information, for instance on the duration and purpose of your stay, as well as on your means of subsistence during your stay.
You will need to bring a passport, which was issued within ten years preceding the date of travel, and which remains valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the EU.
The Commission has proposed that UK nationals can travel visa-free to the EU for short stays (i.e. stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period), if the UK also grants the same arrangement for citizens from all EU Member States.
Your passport will be stamped both when you enter the EU and when you leave it, so that this period of 90 days, which is visa-free, can be calculated."

as i mentioned in earlier threads... its up to the UK how a UK citizen will be "treated", also at RoC borders.

if a no deal and this regulation will come, then UK citizens have two "visa problems", one for the EU-RoC and one for the TRNC.
if you arrive in say , LCA, a crossing to TRNC is possible, as there is no border control from RoC side. and i guess that you also can cross back into the RoC within the 90 day RoC visa (try and error), but you should leave Cyprus via LCA .

if you dont and leave via ECN, you do not have a "RoC leave" stamp and may face problems at any later date to enter the RoC via LCA.
if you arrive in Ercan, a crossing from TRNC to RoC would not be possible, as at the (inner country) green line the RoC does not issue visas.
same applies if you want to cross from TRNC to RoC after the 90 day EU-RoC visa time.
also: you may get a fine immediately as you have been staying in Cyprus for longer as 90 days (for RoC law the time in TRNC also counts)

so, to stay in TRNC (for, say, 89 days) and "leave" for a day into the RoC (to renew TRNC visa) is not possible any more as you most probably would exceed the 90 day EU- RoC visa time and would be in need to leave Cyprus via LCA immediately.
or you do not get access into the EU-RoC at all, because you did arrive in ECN.

Mondo · Post by **Mondo** » Tue 26 Mar 2019 10:43 am

This was pointed out to people a long time ago. I personally had abuse and scorn poured on me for raising this as an issue. I was told I was scaremongering and promoting 'Project Fear'. Welcome to Project Reality!!

erol · Post by **erol** » Tue 26 Mar 2019 11:44 am

Mondo wrote:Welcome to Project Reality!!

Seems to me at times that 'reality' has never been a primary consideration for many. For many, I suspect, frustration was the main driver behind their decision and 'common sense' tells me decisions made in frustration are often not good ones in hindsight.

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