Key dates

  • Registration 5–12 October 2026 (online only, JCC Smart)
  • Exam Saturday 21 November 2026
  • Fee €20, paid online at registration
  • Time and venue emailed by the Examination Service after registration closes

The next sitting of the Cyprus civics exam — officially the Certification of Sufficient Knowledge of Basic Elements of the Contemporary Political and Social Reality of Cyprus — takes place on Saturday 21 November 2026. Registration is open for one week only, from 5 to 12 October 2026, and is done entirely online through the JCC Smart payment platform. This guide walks you through the process and what happens afterwards.

CyprusCitizenshipTest.com is an independent preparation service. We are not the Ministry and we cannot register you. Registration is possible only on the official JCC Smart platform, and the only authoritative information is the Examination Service page of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.

Who is eligible

The exam is for third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) who need the certificate for one of two applications in the Republic of Cyprus: long-term resident status or naturalisation (Cypriot citizenship). Everyone sits the same paper; the pass mark depends on your route (see below). Note that the Greek language certificate (level B1) is a separate examination and is not covered here.

How to register on JCC Smart, step by step

  1. Create a JCC Smart account. Go to jccsmart.com and register with your email address and a password. If you already pay bills through JCC Smart, simply log in.
  2. Open the Examination Service e-bill for this exam. During the registration window the payment form is available at jccsmart.com/e-bill/invoices/7320/pay. Outside 5–12 October the form is closed.
  3. Fill in your details. Enter your personal and contact details exactly as they appear on your ID or passport. Double-check your email address — this is where the exam time and venue will be sent.
  4. Pay the €20 fee by card. The payment is your registration; there is no separate application form.
  5. Keep the confirmation email from JCC Smart. It is your proof of registration.

After registration closes, the Examination Service emails every registered candidate the exact start time and the venue. The time depends on the number of candidates, so it is not known at the moment of registration.

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Seven weeks between registration and exam day. 700+ practice questions in Greek with English and Russian translation, all 14 official topics, realistic mock exams. €49, lifetime access.
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What to bring on exam day

  • Your ID card or passport — the same document whose details you gave at registration.
  • Your registration confirmation (the JCC Smart email and the Examination Service email with your time and venue), printed or on your phone.
  • Arrive early: doors close before the start time and late arrivals are not admitted.

What the exam looks like

The paper has 25 multiple-choice questions and you have 45 minutes. Everything is in Greek only — no translations are provided. The questions come from 14 official topic areas: current affairs, modern history since 1960, customs and traditions, geography, the political system and its office-holders, economy, entry requirements, telecommunications, weather and climate, languages and religions, currency, working hours and public holidays, health and safety, and transport. There is no official question bank or past papers; the syllabus points candidates to the practical-information pages of visitcyprus.com. Read more in our complete guide to the exam.

The two pass marks

  • Long-term residence: at least 50% — 13 correct answers out of 25.
  • Citizenship: at least 60% — 15 correct answers out of 25.

What happens after the exam

Results are published on the Examination Service website by candidate number, not by name. Successful candidates are then notified to collect their certificate, which you submit with your long-term residence or naturalisation application. If you do not reach the mark you need, you can register again for the next sitting.

Missed the window? The 2027 dates

Since 22 September 2026 the exam is held three times a year. The 2027 sittings and their registration windows:

  • 6 March 2027 — registration 11–18 January 2027
  • 3 July 2027 — registration 17–24 May 2027
  • 20 November 2027 — registration 4–11 October 2027

How to prepare before 21 November

Seven weeks is enough time if you use it well. Because there is no official question bank, work through the 14 topic areas with practice questions and rehearse the real format under time pressure. CyprusCitizenshipTest.com gives you 700+ practice questions covering all 14 official areas, based on the official syllabus and the sources the Ministry recommends — each in Greek with English and Russian translation and an explanation — plus realistic mock exams (25 questions, 45 minutes, both pass marks shown), quick tests, flashcards and weak-area tracking. One-time payment of €49, lifetime access, refreshed before every sitting. Not sure yet? Take the free test first.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register after 12 October 2026?

No. The registration window for the 21 November sitting closes on 12 October. The next opportunity is the 6 March 2027 exam, with registration from 11 to 18 January 2027.

Is the exam available in English or Russian?

No. The exam is in Greek only, with no translations at the venue. That is why our practice questions show the Greek text first, with the English and Russian translation alongside it.

What score do I need to pass?

At least 13 correct answers out of 25 (50%) for long-term residence, and at least 15 out of 25 (60%) for citizenship. Both groups sit the same paper.