Introduction to Relocating to Cyprus
Relocating to Cyprus has many benefits which I am sure you have all heard of. These benefits of course include the blue flag beaches, the low cost of living along with the low crime rate and good taxation rates as well as the island being a member of the EU since 2004.
However, there is a lot more to consider when deciding to relocate such as finding out if you need a visa and if so what type to apply for, searching for the right area to relocate to in Cyprus, finding employment and of course considering what the schooling and healthcare system is like.
This guide has been created so you can find as much information as possible in one place. It will cover all of the topics mentioned above as well as director you to the right places for even more information, such as government official webpages if needed.
Relocating to Cyprus: Choosing a location
Cyprus is filled with beautiful cities, towns and villages to relocate to, it all just depends on what you want. If you want a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere then Limassol would be ideal whereas if you are looking for a mixture of costal city living with beach bars and diving spots along with easy access to the island’s main airport, then Larnaca is perfect for you.
The most relaxing atmosphere resides in the smallest city in Cyprus, Paphos. If you are someone who is hoping to find peace and quiet then this district is for you. The city has a beautiful harbor and infinite local history spots along with the second, slightly smaller airport of the island.
Let us not forgot the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. If you are career centered then this is the region for you; Nicosia is where most businesses hold their headquarters and many young entrepreneurs are attracted to the city. It is also the main source for nightlife during the winter months with many popular bars and clubs for tourists, locals and Erasmus students.
This is just the start to areas you could potentially relocate to. Each of these cities has towns and villages surrounding them, all with their own unique charm and many are populated by people who have chosen to relocate to Cyprus.
Education and Healthcare
Relocating to Cyprus will be exciting but daunting, especially if you are looking to educate your children. Depending on what area you move to depends to on what school you pick, or vice versa. If you are aiming for a multicultural, English speaking education then there are plenty of private schools within Cyprus that offer this.
American Academy, Larnaca
The American Academy is a well-known institution in Larnaca, famed for its academic achievements it sees native students as well as students of various nationalities. The school is Larnaca’s oldest secondary school and provides various facilities for education including business, creative arts, computing and languages as well as offering a variety of sport teams for students to join along with other extra curriculum activities. There are 190 committed members of staff at American Academy, including teachers, counsellors and assistants who also work throughout summer as the institution offers a summer school.
PASCAL
This establishment was founded in 1978 and has since grown to become the largest chain of teaching institutes in Cyprus. PASCAL has English schools in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol, with kindergartens and primary schools as well as secondary schools that include day and boarding schools. There are also Greek private schools in the chain that offer the Cyprus National Curriculum.
PASCAL prides itself on how it maximizes student opportunity to progress onto a well-respected university; Cambridge, Imperial College London, Erasmus Business Rotterdam, Stanford University and Columbia University are just a few listed on their website.
Healthcare in Cyprus
Cyprus offers a full-coverage healthcare system, known as GESY, for all its citizens. This system is relatively new to the island, only coming into practice on 1st June 2019. It provides people with a choice of any physician or healthcare professional in either the private or public sector and the Health Insurance Organization pay for all medical and pharmaceutical fees. Citizens contribute a small percentage of their monthly income to fund GESY; Employees pay 2.65% while employers provide 2.9% and the state pay in 4.7%.
Employment in Cyprus
If you are relocating to Cyprus then you will be thinking about the current job market and how to apply for a job permit if needed. If you are an EU/EEA national then you free to work in Cyprus without a work permit due to the EU principle of Freedom of Movement however, if you are a non-EU citizen then there are certain regulations that will need to be addressed.
National from countries not in the EU will need to have a credible specialty with relevant work experience or employment from a multinational company who have offices within the island and is willing to apply for the work permit on your behalf. Once your application has been reviewed and approved you will receive a long-term employment permit.
Relocating to Cyprus: Visa
If you are an EU citizen then you will not need to apply for a visa however you must apply for an Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) or as its more commonly known, a Yellow Slip. To apply for this, you will need to head to the Immigration Office and this must be done if you are relocating for longer than 3 months. After applying for the ARC, you will then need to apply for a social insurance number to secure employment in Cyprus.
Relocating will be slightly different if you are a none-EU national; there are a number of criteria’s and documents that need to be fulfilled which cannot be made in Cyprus. Once accepted and in the country, you will then need to apply for an ARC as well as submit an application for residence to the Civil Registry and Migration Department. After completing this you will need to wait approximately 6-8 to receive the permanent residence permit.
Conclusion
Relocating to Cyprus can be a lifechanging experience and need careful consideration of many factors. Of course, the island of Cyprus has many benefits including its beautiful beaches, low crime rates making the island one of the safest in Europe as well as its tax system along with being a member of the EU.
All the factors above might have influenced your decision to move but the other elements we have mentioned in this guide will, more than likely, have an even bigger impact on your move.
