Living in :
Cyprus
Once in Cyprus, there are more things you need to do. These include:
Registering your arrival
To enter Cyprus to work you must have a full 10 year UK passport.
As an EU national you will need a residence permit to live and work in Cyprus if you plan on staying for longer than 3 months. Although you do not need a specific work permit, it is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go.
Pafilia - Residence & Work Permits
Professional Placement - Immigration and Registration documents
As a new resident, you will be expected to register your arrival within 8 days with the Local Immigration Branch of the Police (and obtain an Alien's Residence Certificate (ARC)). This is however, just a formality.
The site below gives detailed information regarding the process. Please do not be put off by the fact it's aimed at nursing staff, this is a general, non specific article.
Professional Placement - Immigration and Registration Documents
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Tax registration with the authorities
If planning on staying/working/buying a house or car, you must obtain a Social Security Number. This number identifies you to the Cypriot taxman and is required when dealing with the tax office or health insurance companies. If you are employed, your employer will arrange this for you, however if you are self employed, you must arrange this yourself by contacting the National Office of Social Security.
Republic of Cyprus - Inland Revenue Department
Registration with the taxman is also essential, your employer again will do this for you, if you are self employed please talk to your local finance department. Contact details can be found via your local town hall.
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Registering children with daycare/school/universities
For information regarding childcare for pre-school children please contact the local town hall for the area you plan on living. Like in many countries, spaces for these are limited and therefore places should be reserved as early as possible.
General information regarding Cypriot education can be found here:
Parador Properties - Living in Cyprus - Education
The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 4. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Cypriot school?"
Pafilia - Education in Cyprus
MASA International
Independent Schools
Depending on where in Cyprus you plan to live, in some cases, you may be able to enrol your child into an SEC school (service children's education). Be aware that spaces are limited and priority to millitary children is given. In addition, unless millitary entitled, you will be expected to pay British private school fees for these places if available.
Service Children's Education
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Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc
Many Doctors and Dentists are English speaking, especially in the more commercial areas of Cyprus. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.
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Set up a bank account
Opening a bank account can be a challenge! Hopefully, this site should give you the information you need.
My Property - Banking & Financing
Make sure you investigate your banking options prior to setting up your account. Talk to people locally and find out their preferences. Once you have decided, to open an account, simply take in your proof of address (in Cyprus) and a passport.
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Convert your driving license?
The first thing you need to be aware of is if you move abroad, you cannot have your new international address added to your British driving licence.
Directgov - Driving Abroad on a GB Licence
You can apply for an International Driving Permit as a temporary solution although the Cypriot authorities will accept your UK licence so this is not necessary. Information about this can be found here:
The AA - International Driving Permit
Alternatively, you have two other choices. Either leave it with your last address in the UK, or submit it to the Cypriot authorities and have it replaced with a Cypriot Licence. If you want to do this, you will need to speak to your local traffic police who can point you in the right direction.
Regardless of your decision regarding your licence, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the Cypriot roads. On the spot fines for breaking the laws are common however in some cases you are asked to pay within 14 days. The fines are not huge as they are geared to local salaries, however failure to pay could mean you are prevented from leaving the country!
Cyprus Tourist Info - Traffic
Car Hire 3000 - Driving in Cyprus
Europa - Getting there
And finally, please remember that although in the UK you can take and pass your driving test at the age of 17, in Cyprus, your licence is not valid until your 21st birthday or once you have held a full licence for 3 years! Other general differences can be found here:
ViaMichelin - Driving in Europe - Similarities and Differences
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Registering or buying a car
Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!
Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently.
Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad
Pafilia - Vehicle Imports (Scroll down the page)
Property Show Rooms - Driving in Cyprus (Scroll down the page)
Buying a car in Cyprus is slightly different. Take a look at this site.
Hooked on Cyprus - Shopping for new cars online
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Search for a job
There are a number of websites which focus on job searchs in Cyrpus. The following are a few, however we can not take personal liability for any of their content or claims. It is also worth actually going into agencies on the street with your up to date CV.
Jobs Abroad
Euro Jobs
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs
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Register for language courses
Us Brits are terrible when it comes to learning languages! It's awful to walk around the shops and feel illiterate. Seeing the letters but not understanding the words. It can leave you feeling very isolated. Learning the language has many benefits. Firstly, it teaches you the essentials you will need to get by. Secondly, it helps you meet people - often people in a similar situation to yourself. And thirdly, it makes people take you more seriously on a daily basis.
Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on language courses.
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Recycling
Recyling hasn't really reached Cyprus yet. More central recycling depots are starting to spring up, however it's a very manual task and one which requires a lot of effort from you. For those people who are wanting to continue with this and set an example, please speak to your neighbours, local council to find out your closest recycling areas. Good luck!
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If a student, check out the local student life
Once you know where you will be studying, contact your campus to find out about the local social life. Find out the "in" places to go and the local club scene. Most students work hard, but play harder!
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Marrying in Cyprus
When living in a foreign country, it is not unthinkable that you might meet and later want to marry someone in Cyprus.
Wedding Chaos - Getting Married in Cyprus
Foreign Office - Marrying
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British Nationals dying in Cyprus
While in Cyprus, although none of us wants to think about it, it is possible that you could be left to deal with the death of a loved one. There are many decisions to be made and the following website by the British Embassy in Nicosia will be of help.
Foreign Office - Deaths involving British Nationals in Cyprus
Foreign Office - Help if someone dies
The British Foreign Office have put together a booklet (PDF) which you can download.
Foreign Office - Death Overseas
Please also visit our Repatriation page where we go into this in more detail.
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Protect your pension
As a UK citizen you are entitled to a UK pension when you retire. This can and will be paid into your bank account anywhere in the world. However, whether you get a full or part pension at retirement age depends on your contributions.
Be aware that you are able to pay into a private pension for 5 years after you leave the UK, however advisers also suggest that you consider paying voluntary NI contributions to preserve your state pension entitlements.
You can find out how much to pay by calling the HMRC International Services Helpline on +44 (0) 845 9154811 giving them your UK NI Number. There are many ways to pay, the link below will be of use.
HM Revenue & Customs - Paying NI from abroad
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Keep an eye out for your work / residence permit / insurances / passport lapsing...
This may seem obvious but make sure you know exactly when each of your documents are due to expire! To begin with you may not be able to read the correspondence these companies are sending you. This makes renewal notices very difficult to understand. The last thing you want is to find out that part of your life is no longer legal... Whether it's your right to live in the country or your car insurance have those dates marked clearly somewhere that you check regularly and if it spans more than one year... make sure you copy it over to the following year!
If your passport is due to expire you will need this website:
Foreign Office - Passports
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Emergencies
All Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 112 or 199.
If anything else goes seriously wrong, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers the following help:
Foreign Office - When things go wrong
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