What are the benefits of residency

MrsD · Post by **MrsD** » Fri 29 Aug 2014 7:39 pm

My husband and I have recently applied for our second year of temporary residency but we don't really know what benefits this gives us other than not having to leave the country every 90 days. Can anyone advise us if there are any other benefits that this gives us?
Many thanks

Hector · Post by **Hector** » Fri 29 Aug 2014 8:34 pm

Great question. I'd like to know the answer to that as well.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Fri 29 Aug 2014 9:09 pm

It is the law, but that is not a benefit. What benefits are you looking for?

karmels · Post by **karmels** » Fri 29 Aug 2014 11:51 pm

Well said Waddo. What do these people want??

MrsD · Post by **MrsD** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 5:15 am

"These people" that's a nice turn of phrase to use!

I wasn't after anything specific but a friend had told me that you get reduced admission prices at some of the historic places e.g. GIRNIE castle and Salamis. Also would having temporary residency mean that we are able to use the state hospital if required?

It was a genuine enquiry as no one seems to know not a request for handouts!

But nice to get such a response! Does put you off posting questions.

Taximax · Post by **Taximax** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 5:37 am

Hi Mrs D, you do get reduced admission prices at places like the castles, Salamis etc. But remember to take your pink/blue card with you to show at the pay kiosks. I'm not sure whether you have to pay at the state hospital...never used that facility.

Hope this helps..... Sadly we don't get any of the other benefits that lots of foreigners appear to get in Uk.

squashmad · Post by **squashmad** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 5:44 am

Waddo and Karmels, I think your posts could have been worded a little better, don't you? It would have been better to see a genuine question on what are the benefits answered with a genuine answer.

MrsD, I am afraid I do not know the answer other than it is actually a legal requirement to obtain temporary residency, some people will dodge this by leaving the country every 90 days but personally my wife and I never do. We do not condone rule breakers in the UK therefore it would not cross our minds to do so here.

Yes you do get discount on admission prices in certain places of interest but as for anything else, I do not know. You could try asking the British Residents Society - maybe they will be able to inform you.

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 6:29 am

Annual registration for 'visitor' (temporary residency as UK expats wish to call it) status for non-Turkish Cypriots is a legal requirement to reside here longer than 90 days. Other posters have explained the use of the pink/blue card for reduced entry into some tourist facilities. There is no entitlement for free health care within the State system although emergency treatment is often provided - albeit the costs vary and the nursing care is not as in Western European countries: families are expected to look after patients' needs other than 'medical' procedures. Other posters, with experience of treatment under the State health care system, will be far better qualified to give you a definite answer to this query. You should not take too much notice of perceived tones of some posters on this, or any other, forum here. I get frustrated when posters ask questions about services but do not indicate where (area) they wish to know about. "Where is the best beach"? is but one example.

MrsD · Post by **MrsD** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 6:48 am

Thanks for your replies. We knew it was a legal requirement which is why we do it now that we live here permanently.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Regards

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 7:18 am

MrsD, Sorry if my answer offended, it was not meant to. I find that there is a huge raft of people who will argue black is white, eith just for the sake of argument or because they are to lazy to research any subject themselves. Therefore my answers now tend to be direct and to the point. However,

Next week marks our 8th annual renewal and I am sorry to say, we have never tried to find out if there are any benifits to having residency - apart from being within the law on aliens, driving licenses and of course vehicle insurance. I am aware that you can gain entry at reduced rates to some areas on production of your blue/pink book but as we never carry them, I can not tell you what savings you may make. The State Hospitals are open to all, everyone pays for treatment, we have both had reason to use them and find them to provide a good service - spartan to the European eye but then this is not the UK! Their rates are far, far less than private hospitals and you may be surprised to find that the doctor who treats you in the State Hospital is the same person who treats you in the Private Hospital, this is common.

So what benifits? - For a fact, the Immigration people treat you more kindly than they do the 90 day wonders. If you have involvement with the Police, once they find out you are a registered visitor you get a different level of indifference (they help a little more). YOU know you are legal and that can lift a great worry off your shoulders. You get to see the changes in the system on renewal first hand, pick up a little more Turkish, learn a little more about the people and how the country runs (under the table) and it gives you a couple of days doing somthing for you! It may surprise you to find that the local people will be concerned that you have no Kimlik card and will ask why not - when you explain that you can't get one, then get ready for a couple of hours talk over cups of coffee, whilst the state of the Nation is discused in your favour!!!!

Hope that helps a little - if you have time (lots of it) on your hands and are interested in the law and not just in alleged agreements between groups then have a look at this: http://www.mahkemeler.net/cgi-bin/default.aspx - sorry its all in Turkish and it will take you some time to figure out but its part of the fun of finding out where you live! Take care out there.

Squashmad - NO, question was asked, questions was answered, question was asked in return.

Tomsteel - Many thanks for reply.

JoandJelly · Post by **JoandJelly** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 9:09 am

The last time I used my pink book at Salamis which was last year the entry fee was reduced from 12.50tl to 3.50tl.

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 9:28 am

karmels wrote:Well said Waddo. What do these people want??

These people as you call them asked a civil question and deserved a civil answer, you were extremely rude.
As to residency, we were told at Immigration that over 60 we do not need residency, we were told by Police at Metahan, we do not need residency over 60, I am not going to beg people to take my money off me. It is my choice and I will have to deal with any consequences should they arise in the future, you just sit in your ivory tower and don't worry about us less perfect people.

karmels · Post by **karmels** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 9:46 am

elizabeth.
This was not meant to be rude, it was a question as to what do they want from the law on residency.
It came over as an old Yorkshire saying, Owt for Nowt.

harita · Post by **harita** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 10:00 am

elizabeth wrote:
karmels wrote:Well said Waddo. What do these people want??
These people as you call them asked a civil question and deserved a civil answer, you were extremely rude.
As to residency, we were told at Immigration that over 60 we do not need residency, we were told by Police at Metahan, we do not need residency over 60, I am not going to beg people to take my money off me. It is my choice and I will have to deal with any consequences should they arise in the future, you just sit in your ivory tower and don't worry about us less perfect people.

Nice post elizabeth .. So glad someone is batting for the same side as me ..

waddo ..

apart from being within the law on aliens, driving licenses and of course vehicle insurance.

Could you please explain what you mean about "vehicle insurance" ..

stellasstar1 · Post by **stellasstar1** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 10:41 am

Really the benefits are to be legal. It's the law for people under 60 to have temporary residency, and there are various things you will need the temporary residency stamp for. Car Insurance and tax, drivers licence, opening a bank account and probably other things I can't think of, and it has been mentioned if you have an accident the police may want to see it.

karmels · Post by **karmels** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 10:54 am

I think waddo is refairing to the fact that if you have a accident your Insurance company could refuse to pay out if you do not have a valid residence stamp.
This would come to light when the police attend the crash, this also goes for expats driving on a UK licence after 90 days.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 10:55 am

harita, go to your insurance company, take your passport, take your Turkish driving license, take your EU driving license, ask them if they will still cover you for insurance if you do not have a "Visitor" stamp in your passport.

I have never, in over 40 years of driving, found one single insurance company that will not try to get out of paying by the smallest legal loop hole possible. It is fact (check out the URL in my last post) that the "Visitor" stamp is required by law - you do the math yourself and let me know if you are happy that your insurance company will still cover you in event of an accident. For sure they will continue to take the money - lol. For sure they will always say you are covered - will they put that in print and sign it? This is Cyprus so the answer is probably - no problem, come back tomorrow!!!

That is what I meant by "vehicle insurance". I also have a sneaky suspicion that if the insurance company can find out you have no visitor stamp and that you gained your Turkish license under the "agreement" with the license issuing department instead of in line with the law as it stands, that they would have a good reason to wriggle and not pay a bean - mind you, maybe they will just pay up and look big after all, who knows until it is tested!

Elizabeth, from the height of my ivory tower - would you stand by and watch people hurt or disadvantaged when you felt you could assist them? Throw all the mud at me you like but it will not stop me from pointing out what is law and what is not. What you do with that information is up to you - like everyone else, it is your choice.

Stellasstar1, the law is the law regardless of age - sorry. Us old over 60's have the choice of staying within the law or taking the chance on an "agreement" with heads of departments that have not changed the law and will not put the "agreement" in print - why is that I wonder?

All, none of my posts are intended to upset or annoy readers, just trying to point out the pitfalls along the way and more importantly, to show you the facts in law! Take care out there.

harita · Post by **harita** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 11:16 am

stellasstar1 wrote:Really the benefits are to be legal. It's the law for people under 60 to have temporary residency, and there are various things you will need the temporary residency stamp for. Car Insurance and tax, drivers licence, opening a bank account and probably other things I can't think of, and it has been mentioned if you have an accident the police may want to see it.

stellasstar1 .. The subject of the debate is for over 60's visitors stamp .. "renew or not to renew" that is the question ..

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 11:33 am

harita, personal choice, knowing the plus and minus that goes with the choice of course! That's the only answer.

I still buy lottery tickets and never win anything but you won't stop me doing it - just in case - lol. So I may as well throw my money into the drain - but you never know do you???

To stamp or not to stamp - up to the individual.

MrsD · Post by **MrsD** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 12:27 pm

Thanks for all the replies, my husband and I are both under sixty so know that we have to do residency for quite a while yet and are more than happy to do so. Sorry if my original posting was misleading to think that we were after something for nothing it was just a general question as I read an article in the paper that inferred that we would be able to use the state hospital as we have temporary residency. I wasn't previously aware of this and we have always gone private over here in the past when we have needed treatment and I just wondered if there was anything else that we weren't aware of. We are more than happy with the fees we paid privately as the service was excellent so this probably won't change what we do in the future anyway.

Still kind of wish I hadn't asked the question though but thanks to everyone who has replied and no offence has been taken.

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 2:46 pm

I am under the impression you cant get a local driving licence if you dont have a residence permit, but check thatas I am not sure. Driving after three months after the first 3 months "visitors" concession on your UK passport could have insurance implications. Also if you are unlucky enoughto have endorsements it goes on your local licence and keeps your UK Licence clear - I doubt TRNC endorsments are recognised elsewhere but they could give rise to a lot of explanation and aggro.

harita · Post by **harita** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 3:01 pm

I am under the impression you cant get a local driving licence if you dont have a residence permit,

Someone has claimed to have renewed their driving licence with a Muhtars letter & their kocan ..
Not having renewed their residency ..

BOERBOEL · Post by **BOERBOEL** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 3:20 pm

Like Waddo we prefer to stay on the right side of the law and have just done our temporary residency (visitor) for the 8th year. We will continue to do so until someone puts a stamp in my passport that says 'Resident'. Not once have we ever been told that as we are over 60 it is not necessary to do it but we are always asked if we would like to do it for 2 years. I know all the cynics out there will say that of course they will ask that as they will be getting more money out of us but we always only ever do it for 1 year in the hope that the LAW will change and we will get the stamp that we are all waiting for before our next renewal comes round again.

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 4:14 pm

Boerboel, definitely with you & Waddo on this one but think it remains a matter of personal choice.

harita, I too have read of people renewing their driving licenses without renewing their residency. I believe the worry is, if it comes to the crunch (pardon the pun) will your insurance still be valid?

Without the concession being written as a law I prefer to err on the side of caution

harita · Post by **harita** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 4:19 pm

Bonnie wrote:Boerboel, definitely with you & Waddo on this one but think it remains a matter of personal choice.

harita, I too have read of people renewing their driving licenses without renewing their residency. I believe the worry is, if it comes to the crunch (pardon the pun) will your insurance still be valid?

Without the concession being written as a law I prefer to err on the side of caution

A big fat YES .. So my insurer tells me ..

Groucho · Post by **Groucho** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 4:24 pm

Apart from initially saving money (something that could be expensive in the long-term) and the bother - what are the benefits of not having residency? Nothing as far as I can see, - and until the risks are tested in a court of law or the law is changed I don't see that it's wise for anyone to advise others to take that risk...

Ask yourself this question

If the government were serious about this offer - why don't they enshrine it in law? No thought not....

Carbotec · Post by **Carbotec** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 4:36 pm

elizabeth wrote:
karmels wrote:Well said Waddo. What do these people want??
These people as you call them asked a civil question and deserved a civil answer, you were extremely rude.
As to residency, we were told at Immigration that over 60 we do not need residency, we were told by Police at Metahan, we do not need residency over 60, I am not going to beg people to take my money off me. It is my choice and I will have to deal with any consequences should they arise in the future, you just sit in your ivory tower and don't worry about us less perfect people.

Elizabeth us less than perfect people do pay for our residency or work permits because most of us drive cars, if you drive a car please read the small print of your policy, you will find in most cases you will only be insured if you are a resident, temporary or otherwise.
Please do your self a favour if you drive and check your documents.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 4:46 pm

So sorry that there appears to have been a few terse, bordering on the rude responses to your original question.

For me, it is peace of mind! However, I thin k we are jolly fortunate here, because when we had Temp Residency, or a Retirement Visa, we HAD to pay for health insurance. The alternative (then was a max of three months stay and then off you go to Bali or somewhere before coming back. I know this is not Austrlaili,a or any other country, but prefer to go along with any written laws, even though this place does not exis tin the eyes of much of the world.

So, what are the benefits? As I say, for me, peace of mind, which I* believe it is also for many others.

I do believe if you have an old Permanent Residency, then one can use the State hospital for free. For the rest of us. one has to pay, but it really is minimal. Even some private medical treatment is very reasonable and certainly far less than U.K (my husband had a growth removed from his ankle, plus a skin graft, pl;us follow up, and all for 400tl. |Obviously if either of us was faced with major surgery, then one has to think again. but then we are foreigners in a strange land.

The other 'perk' is that there is a chance of working towards permanent residency or citizenship (when the government have sorted that out).

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 7:46 pm

I agree with those who purchase their Temporary Residency - when you work it out and divide by 52 weeks, then its absolute peanuts and even in this cockamaimee country when most of the rules and regulations border on the nonsensical and and the rules and regulations that make sense are ignored, it gives a sense of security and as Marion says, when and if the time comes when a certain amount of Temporary Residences are sufficient to apply for Permanent Residences (when and if they ever come into force) it will be nice to be able to slap my Passport on a desk and say " look here sunshine, I have sufficient Temps to become Permanent" (or words to that effect!!) As to Citizenship ship for us, - not a cat in hells chance.

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Sat 30 Aug 2014 9:00 pm

Hey there Pussycat - we might yet meet in hell!

Makum · Post by **Makum** » Sun 31 Aug 2014 12:08 pm

One of the perks that nobody seems to have mentioned is the 2for the price of one at the Lipstick club on the Nicosia highway, If you have a word with Boris the manager he also gives discount for BRS members.and privileged room rates, it's a lot cheaper than a Villa holiday and maids service is excellent.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 10:26 am

Well, here may be a benefit after all: We went on our annual pilgrimage this morning to the Immigration office in Lefkosa. Set off from home at 08:15 and stopped in the Girne Tax Office on the way to tax the car. Got caught up in the normal - going to work late and one child per car mothers taking their kids to school - traffic jam. We were finished and sat having a coffee in the cafe by 10:20 with everything done and dusted - both us and the car.

So what was the benefit? As I am over 60 and the wife is 59 and 11 months 1 day, we were both offered 2 years visitor status but were told it may not be worth it as later this year there will be a release of the new white card that will allow us "Permanent" status", the lady could not give any guarantee of when or any idea of how much but she told us to watch the papers as there was supposed to be an announcement "This Month", meaning September. No, that was not the benefit!!!

The lady at immigration also told us that because we were over 60 we did not really need to re-new our residency - HOWEVER - if we were driving then it was a legal requirement to have a residency (Visitor) stamp in our passport!

So was there a benefit - up to yourselves really!

harita · Post by **harita** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 12:56 pm

HOWEVER - if we were driving then it was a legal requirement to have a residency (Visitor) stamp in our passport!

Someone has claimed to have renewed their driving licence with a Muhtars letter & their kocan ..
Not having renewed their residency ..

Now who is telling porkies ..

harita · Post by **harita** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 1:02 pm

In fairness waddo .. We were told the same thing in February ..

But with regards to the driving licence, renew residency for 6 months a week before driving licence expires at a cost of 125TL ..

Then the statement from Girne tax office Muktars letter will suffice ???????

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 1:24 pm

Has anybody asked either BRS; insurers or Ministry responsible for driving what the insurance implications are for non-visitor stamp in passport as there has been a fair degree of comment and speculation of this legality issue of late? Being 60+ and with a stamp in my passport and a driver I am not concerned but there seems to be a degree of confusion here.

harita · Post by **harita** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 1:30 pm

I asked my insurer the question ..
Provided the person driving has a licence to drive, UK or TRNC & the owners permission .. They are insured .. Albeit 3rd party only ..
A "swallow" or person on holiday doesn't have a "visitors stamp" in their passport ..

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 1:56 pm

OK, as nobody has done this bit before: I insure my vehicle with Commercial Insurance. I do not insure fully comp as my vehicle is seven years old and the premium is nearly as much as the vehicle cost! My insurance company requires a photo copy of my passport including the page with the Visa or Visitor stamp on it before they will sell me the insurance! Those are facts.

At the bottom of my policy document is the following (in bold print): "This is a translation of the original policy issued in Turkish and cannot be used instead of the original policy. In case of any discrepancy between the original policy and this translation, the original Turkish policy shall be valid and the provisions therein shall be applied." I have never received an original policy in Turkish by the way, what is more, I have never asked for one but I just might now!!!

This is the wording on the Policy for Authorised Drivers: Any person who is driving on the Policyholder's order or with his permission.
Provided that the person driving holds a licence to drive the Motor Vehicle or has held and is not disqualified for holding or obtaining such a licence. The term "licence" means a licence or other permit required by the licensing or other laws or regulations.

The rest of the Policy is just about the normal things it covers and is not worth repeating here.

Just reading the above it occurs to me that if I was a "Swallow" or a "Tourist" who once held a driving licence years ago but had let it lapse then I could drive and be insured without even having a licence in my wallet!!! Now I for one can not beleive that to be true but that is what the wording implies.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 2:09 pm

Driving Licence requirements: Anyone can drive for a maximum period of 90 days on an EU driving licence in the TRNC - that is law. Once the 90 days has passed then the EU licence is no longer valid within the TRNC and a Turkish driving licence must be applied for - that is also law.

What is not known at this time is what the time period, per annum, is between the 90 day periods (in law) as I have not been able to find that YET! For instance, should you wish to drive in Turkey then you can do so for 90 days on your EU licence, however, following a period of 90 days of residence in Turkey you either left the country for 90 days or applied for residence - you then apply for a Turkish driving licence at the same time - that was how it was a few years back but the laws on residence have recently changed so please do not take that as gospel now!

Here (TRNC) the situation is similar but more relaxed (at the moment) and there appears to be no amount of times you can hop across to the RoC and gain another 90 days of visitor status. Now that the immigration controls are being computerised with passport/kimlik card readers that may well change rapidly - but who knows???

The thing is this - I have been told by the Police at Girne Police Station that I need a "Visitor" stamp in my passport to hold a Turkish Driving Licence that allows me to drive. I have been given the same information at the immigration department in Lefcosa this morning.

That is good enough for me and that is why I do it, because regardless of what it says on my insurance policy - it will be the Police that will arrest me and the Immigration people who will deport me - the insurance company can not stop any of that but they can continue to take my money - lol.

harita · Post by **harita** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 2:35 pm

This is the wording on the Policy for Authorised Drivers: Any person who is driving on the Policyholder's order or with his permission.
Provided that the person driving holds a licence to drive the Motor Vehicle or has held and is not disqualified for holding or obtaining such a licence. The term "licence" means a licence or other permit required by the licensing or other laws or regulations.

waddo .. If you don't have a valid driving licence UK (in the case of tourist) or TRNC licence then you should not be driving at all ..

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 2:42 pm

harita, quite agree but that is not what the policy is saying! I can drive on my EU licence for 90 days - FULL STOP! Beyond 90 days I need a Turkish licence (valid in the UK) but that licence is not accepted in Greece or the RoC which are both in the EU - double standards all over the place.

harita · Post by **harita** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 3:20 pm

A "swallow" can't stay for more than 90 days, hence the TRNC licence doesn't apply ..
When driving in the ROC the Greek insurance has to be purchased, €25 and you drive with a valid UK licence .. 3rd party only ..
This is the reason not to let your UK licence lapse ..

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 3:51 pm

A "Swallow" can stay as long as they like - just like everyone else! Beyond the initial 90 days stay the law says you must apply for residency. Anything else is just trying to find a loophole in the law! I have driven in the RoC since 2004 but a TRNC licence is not considered to be valid there - UNLESS - you are a Turkish Cypriot. Look up the laws for holding an EU licence when you feel the need - that really concentrates the mind!!! It is simple, if you don't live in the EU for 6 months of the year then you can not hold an EU licence. So when they bring that into effect how will you drive in the RoC when you can only hold a Turkish Licence if you live here?

All of this information is provided for you via the medium of investigation of existing laws, if you don't beleive it or don't like it then look it all up and prove it to yourself - it is not rocket science!!

harita · Post by **harita** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 4:19 pm

I don't know where this debate is going, it only relates to a UK licence & a TRNC licence ..
Where does an EU licence come into the equation .. Where would you get one from anyway ..
Assuming that a "swallow" does not stay for longer than 90 days, then a valid UK licence complies ..
For anyone with a British passport a UK licence is required to drive in ROC ..
If you live here then you must obtain a TRNC licence, which is valid in most places other than ROC & maybe Greece ..
A UK address is a must in order to keep your UK licence valid otherwise no driving in the ROC ..

We are probably all driving off 3rd party insurance .. It's the ones with no insurance that worry me ..

karmels · Post by **karmels** » Mon 01 Sep 2014 4:31 pm

harita.

Your UK licence is a EU licence, that is why the ROC only allow expats to drive over on this licence and not a TRNC one.

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