Capital City: Nicosia
Population: 1.251million (2022)
Official language: Greek
Commonly spoken languages: Greek/English/Russian
Currency: Euro
Exchange rate to pound: 1 Euro = 0.90 GBP
Located in the Mediterranean Sea, with miles and miles of the best European beaches, unique cultural traditions, and a wealth of exciting places, it’s no wonder Cyprus is a very popular destination among British expats.
Within this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the essential information regarding moving to Cyprus from UK including living and working in Cyprus, the impact of Brexit on British citizens, and a plethora of other relevant topics.
Table of Contents
Where to live in Cyprus
Around 30,000 British expats live in Cyprus and have integrated well into the local communities. English is widely spoken, so many UK nationals find it easy to integrate when moving from the UK to Cyprus. However, knowing a few common Greek phrases will help things along.
Numerous emigrants from all over the world view the island as an extremely attractive place to live. It’s a well-known destination and boasts a significant community of British expats residing there. Among the top choices are:
Paphos
Are you after relaxing beach days and calm? Then maybe Paphos is for you. Sea, fresh air, and a laid-back way of life… no wonder it has been ranked as one of the best cities to live in Cyprus.
Nicosia
Looking for rich history on your doorstep? Lively atmosphere and a variety of shops? The nation’s largest city and the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, might be a good fit for you.
Limassol
This city is one of the liveliest on the island, so if you are looking for fun and exciting nightlife options, then here you go. It is the second-largest urban area in Cyprus, comprising 154,000 expats and locals.
Can an UK citizen move to Cyprus?
British citizens can spend a maximum of 90 days in Cyprus without a residence permit after Brexit. While entry into Cyprus does not require a visa, it is necessary to apply for a Cypriot long-stay visa before leaving the UK if you plan to stay for an extended period.
Once your visa is approved, you are eligible to apply for a residence permit. There are various types of permits, but they are mainly granted for employment or educational reasons. For example, you can obtain a residency permit in Cyprus by signing a work agreement, operating your own business in specific fields, or maintaining a self-sufficient annual income.
Working in Cyprus
Cyprus is often regarded as one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, and living and working there offers numerous advantages. By choosing to move to Cyprus, you’ll experience a global working atmosphere and one of the most attractive tax benefits within the European Union.
The island has an attractively low-income tax rate, so your net salary is often higher due to the lower cost of living and low tax rates. Not surprisingly, your income depends on your skill level, number of years of experience, the size of the company, industry sector, and location. For example, a software developer might earn €25,000, whereas a marketing manager would expect their monthly salary to be in the region of €54,000.
EU citizens will find it easy to start working or setting up a business on the island, as they don’t need a work permit. You only need your passport or national identity card and can search for a job for up to 90 days. It’s a little more complicated for non-EU and non-EFTA citizens, who must apply for a work permit and then apply for a work visa before even entering the country. You will also have to submit an employment contract with a Cyprus-registered international company showing that you will be paid over €20,504 per year. These work permits are typically valid for 1-2 years.
You can download the applications and find out more information about work permits and visas from the Cyprus Department of Labour website.
Transportation in Cyprus
Cyprus doesn’t have a railway, so the best way to get around is by bus or car. There are three options for public bus services:
- Inter-urban bus services – offer daily routes to the major towns and cities.
- Rural buses – connect villages to towns, but these only run once or twice a day.
- Urban buses – cover frequent routes within towns and tourist areas.
You can opt for single-ride and daily, weekly, and monthly tickets, which can save you a few pennies. The public transport system is being revamped, with Nicosia and Larnaca seeing better frequency and more routes. They are also launching a “last-mile service,” allowing passengers to get off at the bus’s final destination and rent a bicycle or take a taxi to get where they need to go.
Driving your own car in Cyprus
Within 6 months of becoming a resident of Cyprus, you are required to exchange your UK driver’s license for a Cypriot one. Your application has to be handed in personally at the District Offices of the Department of Transport or Citizen Service Centers (CSC). The documentation needed is a completed TOM 7 application form, 2 recent passport photographs, your resident permit, evidence that you’ve lived in Cyprus for 5 months, e.g. utility bills, and your passport.
It’s highly recommended to take multiple copies of each document. Your new Cypriot license costs € 30.
All vehicles are required to have at least third-party liability insurance. The good news is that it’s quite cheap, depending on what kind of coverage you want. Other car-related expenses include 6 monthly MOT and yearly road tax payments. Compared to the UK, fuel prices here will feel very affordable.
You’ll be pleased to hear that driving in Cyprus is on the left. However, good driving manners leave a lot to be desired. Expect to be cut off, yelled at, and overtaken on both sides. But it’s not all doom and gloom on the roads. You’ll love them. They’re well-maintained with smooth road surfaces and clear markings, and most traffic signs are in both Greek and English.
Education in Cyprus
Cyprus is reported to be one of the biggest spenders on education in the EU and, therefore, has an excellent public education system. Expats have the option of choosing between free state or paid private schooling. Full-time education is compulsory for all children aged 5-15. It’s worth noting that state education will be fully conducted in Greek throughout, which might be a bit of a hurdle for expat children. If your children don’t speak Greek, then you can send them to one of the fee-paying international schools, which may cost around €200 per month.
Being a student in Cyprus
In the past, Cypriot university graduates chose to study abroad, but recently an education system shake-up has encouraged students to continue their studies in their home country. Even though there aren’t any free universities, the low tuition fees have made this island increasingly attractive to international students. However, there are government-funded scholarships on offer to international postgraduates based on academic merit, covering around 10% to 20% of fees.
EU students moving to Cyprus for study don’t need a visa, but they must apply for a temporary residence permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department. A little more is required for non-EU students who must apply for a student visa from their home country’s Cypriot embassy two to three months before the course starts. You’ll also have a visa interview and present additional documentation, including a medical check-up certificate, proof of financial support, and recommendation letters. Head over to CyprusVisa.eu for further information on the student visa requirements.
Healthcare in Cyprus
Healthcare in Cyprus is highly advanced, and the majority of medical staff studied abroad, so you’ll find that most doctors and even nurses speak English. You can choose between private and public healthcare, and the emergency services are free for everyone regardless of where you are from. As an expat wanting to opt into the state health insurance system, you should register with the Ministry of the Interior before signing up for state medical coverage. Based on your income, pre-existing health conditions, and if you have children or not, you will be put into one of three categories:
- residents who are entitled to free healthcare
- residents who will need to pay a small fee
- residents who must pay the full cost of treatment
Final thoughts
The birthplace of Aphrodite and the home of the squeaky cheese, Halloumi, Cyprus, has a lot to offer. With welcoming locals, incredible weather, a well-established infrastructure, and a safe environment, it’s easy to see why this island checks many boxes for those yearning for the Mediterranean dream.
If you already considering moving to Cyprus from UK, our professional removal company is here to help! We will be happy to assist with organising your international relocation so you can have a seamless transition and start a new life as soon as possible.
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