Moving to Cyprus: Everything You Should Know Before Relocation

Cyprus, known as the “Jewel of the Mediterranean,” is said to have been the birthplace of the legendary goddess of love Aphrodite.

This country is the place for you if you’re looking for cultural delights with a blend of influences from Greece, Turkey, and Italy, white sand beaches, excellent healthcare services, and reflections of Greek mythology everywhere.

If you are requiring additional justifications to move to Cyprus, IMovingTo is here to provide comprehensive guidance.

Things to Expect when moving to Cyprus

Cyprus has a very strong Mediterranean culture. Therefore, the people there like the slower pace of life. The stores typically close early to enable enjoying time with family and friends, which is a part of daily life here.

Greeks and Cypriots share solid superstitious traditions. Among their most prevalent superstitions are:

Breaking plates during weddings and other celebrations.
More than just a way to pass the time, moving the beads between fingers represents a way of life.
In Cyprus, the unluckiest day is Tuesday the 13th, not Friday the 13th as it is in Western culture.
Some Cypriots hold the view that one might catch “the evil eye of another’s envy or jealousy.”

The two official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. While most inhabitants use these two languages, English is also spoken by about 73% of residents. Therefore, if Greek or Turkish is not your native tongue, don’t worry as you can interact with ease in most areas of the island using English.

It should be noted that Cyprus has one of the highest rates of car ownership per capita in the world when it comes to public transportation. Newcomers should be aware that several of the towns do not have an operational railway service. However, residents can take buses and taxis to get to and from their destinations in most major cities.

Is Cyprus Safe to Move To? – Recommendations

Cyprus is a safe nation with low crime rates and high levels of security due to its high police-to-citizen ratio of 466 officers per 100,000 citizens. However, you should constantly be aware and mindful of your surroundings and private possessions. Unfortunately, Cyprus’s driving standards are poor, and driving can be unsafe.

Additionally, you shouldn’t ever attempt to cross the border between the two parts of the island at any location besides the few authorized crossing points, such as in Nicosia at the Ledra Palace and Ledra Street checkpoints. Likewise, you aren’t allowed to take photos of any government or military entities or employees.

Will You Get a Culture Shock?

Cyprus has an array of cultural traditions and etiquette that foreigners should respect. Another notable characteristic of the locals is their cordial nature. It’s crucial to extend a handshake, keep eye contact, especially during introductions, and say goodbye to each person as you leave a group.

Bringing food or drinks when invited to a local’s home is pretty common there. However, none of it needs to be touched until the host starts serving the dinner. Only the right hand should be used while passing food across the table.

Despite always being concerned with their performance, Cypriots do not hesitate to voice their ideas to spare fellow employees from embarrassment at professional gatherings.

How Expensive is Cyprus? – Cost of Living & Moving

Cyprus’s cost of living is not high when compared to western standards. While the majority of products are 20–50% less expensive than in the UK, living expenses in Cyprus are around 25% less than the average for Europe.

The income tax, which is one of the lowest in the EU, is a significant factor in Cyprus’s low cost of living and encourages people to consider moving there.

The following aspects related to the general cost of living in Cyprus will enhance your understanding.

Renting 1 bedroom apartment in the city center: €750.78
Renting 1 bedroom apartment outside a city center: €603.37
Basic bills (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for a small apartment: €164.07
Three-course meal for a couple in a mid-range Restaurant: €50
Transport Monthly Pass: €40

Visa Types & Work Permit Requirements

Due to Cyprus’ status as a member of the EU, passengers with EU passports don’t have to obtain an additional visa to enter the country. Their stay is only permitted to last for 3 months at most. However, if you are required to acquire a visa, it’s essential to know which category is suitable for you since there are various types available.

Airport transit visa
Short-stay visa
Multiple-entry visa
Student visa
Work visa
Long-stay visa

Your residence permit for Cyprus is consistently related to your work permit if you are moving there to seek employment.

For stays of more than 3 months and/or employment in Cyprus, both EU nationals and non-EU citizens should formally register as residents. To submit a residence permit application, you require a registration certificate. Within 8 days of arriving, you should first apply for and pay for an Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) at the immigration office of the local police.

Moreover, you also need to apply for a social insurance number and submit a residence permit application to the Civil Registry and Migration Department within the next 3 months. A permanent residency permit should arrive within 6 to 8 months. You may even have to wait for 8 to 10 months if you already have a temporary residence permit.

What Does the Healthcare System of Cyprus Look Like?

Cyprus’s healthcare system is on an equal footing with that provided by the majority of EU member countries. Healthcare options include both public and private ones. Foreigners as well as Cypriot citizens are entitled to free emergency services. Although there are both publicly financed and privately funded medical facilities in all of Cyprus’ main towns and cities.

Cyprus’s public healthcare system is managed by the Ministry of Health. Under its provisions, social insurance is available to all employed residents. The public healthcare system offers services for general, mental, dental, and pharmaceutical health.

More than 80% of Cypriots are covered by the public healthcare system, however, most people, particularly expats, choose to receive their medical care through for-profit facilities. Access to a wide range of services and options, as well as lower wait times, are the benefits.

International private health insurance and local private medical insurance are the 2 primary private health insurance options provided by the private sector.

How to Manage Taxes in Cyprus

Cyprus is regarded as a preferred country for business relocation since it offers one of the most attractive onshore tax systems in the EU.

A huge percentage of the Cypriot population does not pay personal income tax as there is no income tax on the first €19,500 of annual personal income. A 6-7% income tax is imposed on all personal income, and the employee is responsible for paying it. The social insurance tax is imposed by the company as well.

Furthermore, it’s important to consider various small taxes, business taxes, dividend taxes, and tax breaks for recent immigrants.

Moving Your Household Belongings in Cyprus

You will likely need to hire international moving companies if you’re thinking about relocating overseas. Your belongings may take some time to get to Cyprus, but it will all be worthwhile. Air freight and road transportation are the most popular options for moving from within Europe.

Professional help to ship your belongings is necessary unless you are traveling very lightly or undertaking a relatively short transfer by car.

While moving by sea is the best option if you need to move quickly or have a lot of heavy or bulky possessions, moving by air is the better decision if you want to move a few light or compact objects. But sending your things by air comes at a high price.

Finding a Place to Live in Cyprus

Nicosia

Nicosia, which is split in half by the Green Line, is a dynamic and rather affluent city that provides the ideal balance of urban life and relaxation. Nicosia serves as the Republic of Cyprus’s administrative, commercial, and financial hub. The city has a variety of recreational activities, thriving nightlife, fantastic shopping, and superb entertainment.

Limassol District

A sophisticated, cosmopolitan vibe surrounds Limassol, a city on Cyprus’ southern coast. International emigrants from all over the world adore it as a destination. The Limassol Castle, the Amathus Ruins, and the Mosque of Djami Kebir are just a few of the picturesque locations in the city that are well worth visiting.

Limassol villages

The charming village of Erimi is about a 12-minute drive from Limassol. It takes you just far enough away from Limassol’s bustle to provide you with a wonderful, tranquil ambiance while keeping you close enough to the city for you to still access its amenities.

Pros & Cons of Moving to Cyprus

Pros

Exceptional weather

One of the main reasons expats choose to reside in Cyprus is the country’s exceptional weather, which includes long summers that extend from mid-May to mid-October and feature temperatures between 24°C and 28°C on average.

Naturally, you’ll still have to endure winter, but due to the Mediterranean climate, temperatures remain around 10°C, dropping to about 3°C in the higher Troodos Mountains.

Historical heritage

Paphos, a small town with a rich history, is located in Cyprus. A 4th-century B.C. archaeological complex may be found nearby, and it has well-preserved fragments of tombs, palaces, theaters, and villas. Paphos has been designated a Unesco World Heritage Site due to its immense collection of historical artifacts.

Low pollution level

Since there isn’t much heavy industry in Cyprus, there is relatively little industrial pollution in the air, land, or water. People who have respiratory problems, such as asthma, may notice that the air feels cleaner and that their symptoms improve as a result.

Cons

Lack of public transportation

The absence of public transportation in Cyprus is a drawback. If you live in the center of Paphos, you might be able to get by without a car, but people who live farther out will require a car. Buses are the only form of public transportation available on the island because there is no train system.

Limited flight options

Although it isn’t tough, getting to Cyprus is more complicated than flying to other countries. While there are many flights to the island, they are far less frequent. Flying to Cyprus puts an end to the freedom that many people are used to when it comes to air travel.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Cyprus is one of the greatest countries to relocate to if you prefer an outstanding Mediterranean climate, a slower pace of life, and a location that offers good value for money.

So, don’t hesitate to take advantage of IMovingTo’s services for international relocation, and we’ll make certain to expedite your relocation without any obstacles!