• Cyprus
• Moving to
• Living in
• Leaving
• Resources
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

Moving to : Cyprus

There are a number of things you will need to research or do before moving to Cyprus, these include:

• Local Culture 
• Residence Permits/Visa Requirements/Fees 
• How to search for work if you do not already have a job 
• The importance of your Contract of Employment 
• Self Employed? Starting a new business 
• Studying in Cyprus 
• School/Childcare - admissions, childcare, registration 
• Retiring to Cyprus 
• Accommodation, property search 
• Removal Companies and Personal Effects 
• Public Healthcare 
• Registering with a Doctor/Dentist 
• Medication 
• Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare and Hospitals 
• Banking 
• Setting up TV, Telephone and Internet 
• Registering for a mobile phone 
• Taking your car 
• Moving your pets 
• Make sure your passport is valid 
• Tickets for your move, hotel bookings and car rental 
• UK Voter Registration 
• Final Checklists 
• Final Notifications 

Cypriot culture is defined in many ways. From their Greek temples, Roman mosaics and 15th-century frescoes to their glorious beaches and tourist destinations.  Cyprus is split in a north south divide with the North of the island changing itself to reflect the culture of its neighbour, Turkey and the South keeping with the more traditional Greek influence.  Clicking on the links below will help you understand the country and its unique appeal.

Wikipedia - Cypriot culture
Cyprus Embassy - Cultural heritage of cyprus 
Kypros Culture
North Cyprus - The People 

Be aware that Northern Cyprus is NOT covered by the EU regulations and as such is an entirely different entity.  This website deals with Southern Cyprus ONLY.

Pafilia - Awareness Regarding Northern Cyprus

Each area of Cyprus will also have its own history and culture. Don't forget to run a search specifically on the area of Cyprus you are looking at moving to. We recommend Google for all searches and the easiest way of searching for local culture is to put "culture" + the area of Cyprus you are investigating.

To enter Cyprus to work you must have a full 10 year UK passport. 

As an EU national you do not need a work permit to work in Cyprus. However 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. 

More information can be found on this in our "living in..." Registering your arrival in the Country.

There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in Cyrpus.  The following are a few, however we can not take personal liability for any of their content or claims.

Jobs Abroad
Euro Jobs 
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs

An employment contract in Cyprus is not obligatory, however having some kind of an agreement in place prior to starting work is advisable.  There may be situations where you need to prove you have work, and for this, again, a contract of employment can be beneficial.

Your employer should apply for a social security number on your behalf along with your tax registration.

More information can be found about this on our "living in..." Tax registration with the authorities).

If you are planning on going to Cyprus and starting your own business, this site may be of use to you:

Anglo Info - Self employment 

If you're going to study in Cyprus, you will need information regarding courses.

Prospects - Postgraduate study
Open University - Business School in Cyprus
International Graduate 

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   

If you are considering retiring to Cyprus, then the following sites should be useful:

Pafilia - Retiring to Cyprus 
Cyprus Properties 
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Moving Abroad 

The decision regarding whether to purchase or rent a property in Cyprus can be difficult. If you are looking to buy, then these links will help.

Invest of Shore - Buying in Cyprus
A property in Cyprus 
Right Move - Property Website
World of Property - Cyprus 

Rental can be harder as most real estate agencies focus on short term/holiday rentals, however it is not impossible. You will usually be expected to pay a deposit and a months' rent in advance and property search for rentals is usually easier in autumn and winter as during the summer months the shorter lease periods are more appealing to landlords.

Find a Property

The above site lists letting agents that deal with both long and short term rentals all over Cyprus.

When shipping your personal (household) effects within the EU, they are not subject to normal customs formalities or restrictions.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on English speaking removal companies.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Cypriot nationals.

NHS Guide
Pafilia - Healthcare in Cyprus  
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Travel Insurance 

You will need to obtain a health card:

Cyprus Ideal - Health care entitlement under EU Regulations  

If you are planning on working in Cyprus then you will automatically pay into their Social Security Scheme and this is compulsory if you are self employed too.  Contributions are split between you, your employer and the state.  This entitles you and your family to free or subsidised medical and dental treatment while in Cyprus.  In addition, if you have paid into any EU social security scheme for a full 2 years prior to arriving in Cyprus, you are automatically covered for a limited period.

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.

Before taking any medication into Cyprus make sure that you check that it is legal to do so. Interestingly 63% of Britons didn’t know that some medication in the UK e.g. alcohol based prescription drugs and painkillers such as codeine are illegal in some countries. In Japan for instance, the Vicks inhaler and Sudafed are illegal!

Private medical insurance is a personal choice. Although not necessary as the public healthcare in Cyprus is adequate, it can act as a security blanket if something goes seriously wrong. Most expats who are under retirement age do choose to have this added insurance.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on additional medical insurance, general private heathcare and private hospitals.

Although it is possible to open a bank account before you arrive in Cyprus, it's advisable not to as this can prolong the proceedure due to the issue of confirming signatures etc.  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 preferances.  Once you have decided, to open an account, simply take in your proof of address (in Cyprus) and a passport. 

Many companies take a while to set these up, so once you know where you will be living, you might want to contact these companies in advance, so you are able to have connection from the day you move in.

Pafilia - Telecoms & The Cyprus Telecommunications Authority 
Anglo Info - Internet and Telephone

Please check our Resources section to see if there are any alternatives.

Don't forget to ask around (neighbours, friends, colleagues) when it comes to choosing a mobile phone.  Using a UK phone with a roaming agreement is always going to work out more expensive that buying a sim in Cyprus.  These sites may help you decide which carrier is best for you and how the system works.

Go Sim - Cyprus
GSM World

Also make sure you look at the pay as you go options, in most cases, these will work out as your cheapest options in Cyprus.

As for your UK mobile. Our guess is that you will be returning to the UK from time to time and may want a low cost way for people to contact you when you are there. So why not cancel your contract, but switch to a "Pay as you go"? This is a number that most of your friends/family will already have, so record your voicemail explaining that this phone is now only on when you are in the UK, and tell them how to contact you when you're not. Be careful when choosing your PAYG plan as some expect you to use your phone every few weeks to keep it active.

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)

Be aware that the paperwork surrounding the legalisation of your vehicle can be long and tedious.  In addition, it can also end up being very expensive.  Think long and hard before doing this and make sure you have all the facts.

No one wants to leave their other family members behind, so take them with you! 

Pafilia - Bringing your pets to Cyprus
MASA - Taking your pets
DEFRA - Qualifying Countries for the PETS Scheme
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (cats, dogs &ferrets)
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (rabits and rodents)

Make sure you have a valid passport. You do not need a minimum period of validity; however it must remain valid for the duration of your stay.

UK Passport Office - UK Passport Information 

When moving you need to set a date to do so. Once you have this date, you need to consider your flights or travel arrangements. Investigate cheap flights or travel. There is no need to spend a fortune getting there when there are many cheap options available. The following site details the list of low cost airlines flying to Cyprus:

Attitude Travel - Guide to Cheap Airline Carriers

If you have not arranged somewhere to live, make sure you have accommodation until you do. Book yourself a hotel. In addition, you may be going to sign contracts for your accommodation. This does not mean you can stay there on the first night! This may not be possible. So make sure you know exactly what your plans are and make arrangements that take these into consideration.

Where car hire is concerned do your research. Different companies offer different deals at different times.

Please check our Resources section to see if there more information on car hire and deals.

Don't Lose Your Vote!

If you are 18 and over, and were previously registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years, you can apply to register again as an overseas voter.

Overseas Voting