Powers of attorney, wills and other legal documents in Cyprus
In Cyprus a power of attorney is governed by the agency provisions of the Contract Law (Cap. 149). The principal's signature is certified by a certifying officer or at a Citizen Service Centre (KEP), and a power used abroad also needs an apostille. A special power of attorney covers one act, such as a step at the Land Registry or a bank, while a general power of attorney lets someone act for you across many matters, which suits owners of property in Cyprus who live elsewhere. Cypriot law has no lasting power of attorney: the authority ends when the principal dies or loses mental capacity. A revocation of a power of attorney binds third parties only once they learn of it, so it goes to every bank or office that has relied on the power.
A will under the Wills and Succession Law (Cap. 195) is signed at the end before two witnesses present at the same time, and the testator and both witnesses sign or initial every sheet. Where Cypriot law governs the succession, as it does for someone habitually resident in Cyprus who has not chosen the law of their nationality under EU Regulation 650/2012, a person who leaves children can dispose freely of only a quarter of the estate. Between spouses and civil partners, Law 232/1991 gives the one who contributed to the increase in the other's property a claim to part of it if the marriage or partnership ends, presuming the contribution to be one third, and no agreement can exclude that claim; the spouses' statement of property records who owns what.
Living together without marriage or a civil partnership is not regulated by law, and a cohabitation agreement records the couple's home, expenses and property. A child leaving Cyprus with one parent needs the other parent's written consent with a certified signature, even if the parents live together, and a child travelling with neither needs both; the parent's consent for a minor to travel abroad has the full text in Greek and English. There is also an invitation letter for a visa, which does not replace the official hosting form, and a request for public-sector information under Law 184(I)/2017, which needs no reasons. The documents are in Greek, and each page describes them in English. They are filled in online and downloaded as a finished PDF, or downloaded blank, and are not legal advice.
The documents
9 forms available to fill out or download.
Invitation letter for a visa (Cyprus)
The letter in which a resident of Cyprus invites a relative or friend from a country that needs a visa, addressed to the Cypriot embassy or consulate: the host's and the guest's details, the purpose and dates of the visit, where the guest will stay and the costs the host takes on. It does not replace the official assumption of responsibility for hosting form, signed with a certified signature and backed by a bank guarantee; the letter mentions that form and states that it will be submitted if asked for.
Request for access to public-sector information (Cyprus)
The request by which anyone asks a Cypriot ministry, department or other public authority for information and documents it holds, under Law 184(I)/2017 on the right of access to public-sector information. It describes what is asked for and how, with no reasons, which the Law does not require, and asks for a written answer within the Law's period, notice of any fee before access is given, partial access where part of the information is exempt, and the reasons for any refusal, which open the way to a complaint to the Information Commissioner.
Will (Cyprus)
A will under the Cypriot Wills and Succession Law (Cap. 195): an executor and a substitute, specific gifts, the rest of the estate and its shares, revocation of earlier wills or only for property in Cyprus, and a choice of the law of your nationality under EU Regulation 650/2012. It is signed at the end before two witnesses present at the same time, and the testator and both witnesses sign or initial every sheet. Note: where Cypriot law governs the succession — as it does for someone habitually resident in Cyprus who has not chosen another law — anyone who leaves a spouse, children or parents can leave only part of their estate freely.
Spouses' statement of property (Cyprus)
A joint statement in which two spouses or civil partners in Cyprus record what belongs to each, when and how it was acquired — before the marriage, by gift, by inheritance — what is shared and who contributed to what. Under Law 232/1991, if the marriage ends, a spouse who contributed to the increase in the other's property can claim a share of it, and the contribution is presumed to be one third unless shown otherwise. A statement signed in calmer times is evidence of exactly that. It waives no rights and transfers no property.
Cohabitation agreement for unmarried partners (Cyprus)
A private agreement between two partners living together in Cyprus without marriage or a civil partnership: the shared home and who has a right to it, how expenses are split, what belongs to each and what is shared, and how they settle up if they separate. The law does not regulate informal cohabitation, so the agreement records what would otherwise have to be proved. It is not a civil partnership: that is entered into under Law 184(I)/2015, by any couple, and has the effects of marriage except adoption.
Special power of attorney (Cyprus)
The power of attorney for one particular matter in Cyprus: a step at the Land Registry, at a bank or before another office. It describes the act precisely, the limits and how long it lasts, ends when the act is done, and is signed before a certifying officer or at a Citizen Service Centre (KEP), which certifies the signature. For use abroad it also needs an apostille. A narrow power exposes the principal less.
Revocation of a power of attorney (Cyprus)
The written revocation of a general or special power of attorney in Cyprus, addressed to the person you appointed. It states that their authority has ended, asks for the original back and an account of what they did, and lists the third parties — banks, the Land Registry, government departments, counterparties — who are sent a copy. In Cyprus a revocation binds third parties only once they learn of it, and until then the attorney can still bind you towards them. It is sent by registered post or by hand against a signature.
General power of attorney (Cyprus)
The power of attorney by which you appoint someone you trust to act for you in Cyprus in a range of matters: at government departments, Citizen Service Centres and local authorities, the Tax Department and Social Insurance, banks and utilities. It sets the powers, what is left out — such as selling property — whether the attorney may appoint a substitute, and how long it lasts, and is signed before a certifying officer or at a Citizen Service Centre (KEP), which certifies the signature. For use abroad it also needs an apostille. Cyprus has no lasting power of attorney that survives the principal's loss of capacity.
Parent's consent for a minor to travel abroad (Cyprus)
The written consent of the parent who is not travelling, for their minor child to travel abroad from Cyprus with the other parent or another adult. In Cyprus it is needed even if the parents live together, and a child travelling with neither parent needs both parents' consent. It has the parent's, child's and companion's details, destinations and dates, the full text in Greek and in English, and is signed with the signature certified by a certifying officer or at a Citizen Service Centre (KEP). It is DocMuse's own text; the Government also has a form of its own.