British NGOs And Volunteers Helping UK Expats In Cyprus Get Post-Brexit Residency

The 70,000 British expats living, working and retiring in Cyprus are now getting help with their residency concerns via volunteer groups and Brit NGOs.

As the dread date looms, British expats in Cyprus could well be forgiven for allowing a degree of panic to set in as regards their residency status after the end of this month.The groups and their volunteers are focusing on UK citizens formerly in the British military and who are now vulnerable or have mobility issues. SSAFA, the UK’s longest-running military charity, has sent a team of 45 volunteers and 15 assistants to help former British servicemen and women protect their post-Brexit rights.Group leader

Tina Graham told local media the organisation is just one of several which are attempting to tap into a UK 3.37 million government fund aimed at helping Britons in Europe who need assistance due to Brexit. Several other groups are also taking advantage of the fund to ensure vulnerable expats who need the most help are able to get it. Her announcement formed part of her group’s visit to a care home in Larnaca, with the British minister for Europe also present and praising the Cypriot government for its extension of the grace period during which UK nationals can register for residency after Britain leaves the UK.

Residency is the main concern of all British expatriates on the island, amid much confusion as to rights of residency, healthcare, the possible necessity of visas and many other concerns still not answered by the British government, even although it’s been three years since the Brexit referendum and its shocking result. Whilst help is more than welcome, especially for British ex-military expats with special needs, most Britons feel it’s been too long coming and should have been from the UK government itself.