What the Certification exam is, who has to take it, who runs it, how it works, what it covers, when it is held and how to prepare for it.
Last updated: 25 September 2026
The full official name is the Certification of Sufficient Knowledge of Basic Elements of the Contemporary Political and Social Reality of Cyprus (in Greek: Εξέταση Πιστοποίησης της Επαρκούς Γνώσης Βασικών Στοιχείων της Σύγχρονης Πολιτικής και Κοινωνικής Πραγματικότητας της Κύπρου). Most people simply call it the Cyprus citizenship exam or the civics exam.
It is a civics test for third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) who apply for one of two statuses in the Republic of Cyprus:
Both groups sit the same paper on the same day. The only difference is the score you need (see the two pass marks below). The certificate you receive is one of the documents you attach to your application.
25 multiple-choice questions · 45 minutes · Greek only · fee €20 · next sitting Saturday 21 November 2026 · registration 5–12 October 2026 via JCC Smart.
The exam is organised by the Examination Service (Υπηρεσία Εξετάσεων) of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth of the Republic of Cyprus. The Examination Service publishes the syllabus, the dates, the registration instructions and the results on its official exam page. That page is the only authoritative source. CyprusCitizenshipTest.com is an independent preparation service and is not affiliated with the Ministry.
One paper, two thresholds, depending on what you are applying for:
Our mock exams show both lines, so you always know whether a practice score would have been enough for your route.
This exam tests civic knowledge only. Proof of Greek at level B1 is a separate certificate obtained through the Greek language (ελληνομάθεια) examinations. It is not part of this test, and passing one does not replace the other. In practice, though, the civics exam is written in Greek, so a solid reading level in Greek helps a lot — which is why every question on our platform is shown in Greek first, with the English and Russian translation next to it.
The official syllabus lists fourteen areas of knowledge:
The Ministry has not published a question bank, sample questions or past papers. The official syllabus is a single page listing the fourteen areas above. Instead of study material, the syllabus points candidates to the "practical information" pages of visitcyprus.com, the official tourism portal, and otherwise expects general knowledge of current affairs and of how the Cypriot state works. That is why most candidates look for structured practice questions before the sitting.
Since 22 September 2026 the exam is held three times a year instead of two. The registration window opens about six weeks before each sitting and lasts one week.
| Exam date | Registration window |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21 November 2026 | 5–12 October 2026 |
| 6 March 2027 | 11–18 January 2027 |
| 3 July 2027 | 17–24 May 2027 |
| 20 November 2027 | 4–11 October 2027 |
The exact start time of each sitting is announced after registration closes, depending on the number of candidates. Step-by-step instructions: how to register for the 21 November 2026 exam.
Results are published by candidate number on the Examination Service website — no names appear. Successful candidates are then notified to collect their certificate, which they submit with their long-term residence or naturalisation application.
At the sitting of 7 March 2026, 74.7% of candidates scored 60% or more, according to press reports. The same coverage criticised some questions for asking about obscure details and for using vocabulary above B1 level — the language level most applicants hold. In short: most prepared candidates pass, but general knowledge alone is not a safe bet, and reading the questions quickly in Greek is part of the challenge.
Because there is no official question bank, the practical way to prepare is to work through the fourteen topic areas with practice questions and to rehearse the real format under time pressure. That is what CyprusCitizenshipTest.com is built for:
A realistic plan: three to four weeks, one topic area per day, and a full mock exam at the end of every week. Start with the areas you know least — usually the political system and modern history.
Disclaimer: CyprusCitizenshipTest.com is an independent preparation platform with no affiliation with the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, the Examination Service or any other authority. Our practice questions are based on the official syllabus and the sources the Ministry recommends; they are not official exam questions. Registration is possible only on the official platform.
700+ questions across all 14 official topics, in Greek with English and Russian translation, plus realistic mock exams.
