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Whether you are looking for incredible cuisine, white sandy beaches, exceptional healthcare options, or traces of Greek mythology around every corner, Cyprus has it all.
Moreover, there is something mystical about Cyprus, from its unique and quaint villages to its boundless orchards and vineyards, to its ancient architecture, surrounded by pristine waters. This Mediterranean island offers a good quality of life at a low cost of living, making it a great place to start a new life.
Quick Facts About Cyprus
Quick facts about Cyprus are:
| Official name | the Republic of Cyprus |
| Form of government | Constitutional republic |
| Capital city | Nicosia |
| Population | Around 1.2 million |
| Area | 9,251 km² |
| Official language | Turkish and Greek |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
Do I Need a Visa to Move to Cyprus?
Whether you need a visa depends on your country of residence:
- If you are from an EU/EEA country 一 you can freely enter Cyprus; you only need to hold a valid passport or another travel document.
- If you are from a non-EU/EEA country 一 you must apply for a Cyprus visa to enter the country.
How to Move to Cyprus as an EU Citizen?
EU/EEA citizens can move to Cyprus for over three months (90 days) without obtaining a visa. Cyprus is part of the EU, meaning you will have the same rights as other EU citizens.
If you wish to stay longer than 90 days, you must register your stay at the Civil Registry and Migration Department and get a Registration Certificate (also known as a Yellow Slip).
How to Move to Cyprus as a Non-EU Citizen?
Non-EU/EEA citizens must hold a long-stay visa (national visa) to move to Cyprus. You must apply for a visa at your home country’s nearest Cypriot embassy or consulate. Upon arriving in Cyprus, within seven days, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at:
- The Civil Registry and Migration Department if you will be living in the Nicosia District.
- A District Immigration Unit if you will be living in another District.
You can move to Cyprus for over three months by choosing one of the following ways:
- To work.
- To study.
- To join a family member.
Moving to Cyprus for Work
If you want to move to Cyprus and work, there are a few things you need to do first:
- Obtain a work permit. After securing a job in Cyprus, your employer will apply for a work permit in Cyprus on your behalf.
- Obtain a work visa. After getting your work permit, you can apply for a Cyprus work visa at the nearest Cypriot embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
After entering Cyprus, you must apply for a temporary residence permit. The application must happen within seven days of entering the country; you should register with the local District Office of the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police Department or the Central Offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia. Then, after five years under the temporary residence permit, you can apply for permanent residency.
Additionally, if you are a remote worker, you can apply for a digital nomad visa to work remotely in Cyprus.
Moving to Cyprus to Study
To move to Cyprus and study requires that you hold a student visa. A Cyprus educational institution must accept you before you can apply for a Cyprus student visa. Afterward, your school arranges for you to obtain a visa.
As soon as you arrive in Cyprus on a student visa, you must apply at the Cyprus Migration Department for a temporary residence permit. This permit lets you legally live and study in Cyprus for over 90 days.
The temporary residence permit is valid for one year and can be renewed annually for the duration of your studies.
Moving to Cyprus for Family Reunification
You can move to Cyprus and join a family member there only if you apply for a family visa. To be eligible for the family visa, you must meet the following conditions:
- The family member in Cyprus that also acts as your sponsor has lived legally in Cyprus for at least two years.
- The moment you apply for family reunification, the sponsor is a holder of a valid minimum of one year of residence permit.
- You are his/her spouse, and your marriage is at least one year before the application.
- You are his/her minor and unmarried child.
In addition, after seven days of entering Cyprus, you must register with the Civil Registry and Migration Department, which will issue a residence permit. The residence permit is valid for a year and subject to renewal but cannot be longer than the sponsor’s.
How Can I Obtain Permanent Residency in Cyprus?
Permanent residency is valid for five years, and you can obtain it if:
- You have resided in Cyprus for five years under a temporary residence permit— further, during this time, you did not leave Cyprus for longer than three months, and you have a work contract for a minimum of 18 months or an open duration.
- You purchase a property in Cyprus valued at least €300,000. However, you must meet a few requirements:
- You have proof you purchased the property with funds from outside Cyprus.
- You have an annual income of at least €30,000 and receive it outside Cyprus.
- You will deposit €30,000 in a Cypriot bank account, which will be frozen for three years.
- You will enter Cyprus at least every two years.
- If you have dependents, you must have an additional annual income of €5,000. Your children must be 18 to 25 years old and do not intend to take up paid employment in Cyprus. Whereas, for dependent parents, you must have €8,000 per year for each one.
Note: You must apply at a central office of the Civil Registry and Migration Department for a permanent residence permit.
How Can I Gain Citizenship in Cyprus?
If you have no blood relation to Cyprus, you can gain citizenship after living for a certain period in Cyprus. When you have lived in Cyprus for seven out of ten years and have met the following requirements, you are eligible for full Cypriot citizenship:
- You are over the age of 21 years.
- You have a clean criminal record.
- Your residency in Cyprus was continuous for the year immediately before your application.
Does Cyprus Allow Dual Citizenship?
Cyprus allows dual citizenship. You can acquire dual citizenship without registering or renouncing your previous citizenship. First, however, you should check with your home country whether it allows you to obtain another citizenship. Then, you can move forward with Cyprus as long as it does.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Cyprus
Cyprus, like any other country, has its pros and cons of moving there 一 as seen in the table below:
| Pros | Cons |
| Low cost of living 一 the cost of living is comparatively low for everyone. The cost of accommodation, education, healthcare, and utilities are fairly low and of good quality. The usual living costs for one person without rent are around €768. | Low salaries 一 the wages people earn in Cyprus leave much to be desired. Employers can set their monthly earnings because there is no national minimum wage. As a result, foreigners are often not selected for higher-paying jobs and may have to do seasonal jobs. |
| Safe country 一 Cyprus is one of Europe’s safest destinations. Since Cyprus has very little crime, living there gives you a sense of security. The most common crimes are bribery and corruption. | Public transportation 一 Cyprus lacks public transportation. There is no train system, and you have to rely on buses. However, not many locations can be reached by bus. |
| English language 一 due to being a British colony, around 73% of people in Cyprus speak English. Therefore, problems regarding communication are very rare. | Lack of options 一 Cyprus is limited in shopping and entertainment. There are theaters, performances, and galleries, but they are few and far between. Regarding shops, you will have to trawl endlessly to find what you want. |
| Expat community 一 over 20% of the population in Cyprus comprises foreigners. Therefore, Cyprus has an expat community from all over the world. Moreover, you will easily connect with them because of the several co-working spaces. | |
| Weather 一 Cyprus experiences all year round sunny days. So, if you enjoy the sunshine, this is the right destination. | |
| Part of the EU 一 due to being part of the EU, you can move freely between all EU nations, and you are entitled to the same rights as other EU nationals. | |
| Culture and Heritage 一 there is a great deal of culture and heritage in Cyprus. For example, Cyprus plays a significant role in Greek mythology as Aphrodite and Adonis’s birthplace. Moreover, the whole city of Pahoe is a UNESCO world heritage site. |
How Can I Move My Belongings to Cyprus?
You can move your belongings to Cyprus only by two options: by air or sea. Shipping your belongings by air is quite expensive while shipping them by sea is slower but comparatively cheaper. Cyprus has a few shipping rules you need to follow:
- Shipments arriving from non-EU countries are inspected.
- New items from non-EU countries are dutiable.
- You must declare new items to customs. Items owned and used for less than six months are considered new.
- You must pay wharfa*ge regardless of your status.
- A few items are dutiable or restricted:
- Leather and fur coats/shoes.
- Alcoholic beverages. They may be included in FCL (full container load) as follows:
- Up to 12 sealed bottles (acceptable).
- Up to 20 open bottles (acceptable).
Prohibited items are:
- p*rnographic materials.
- Drugs and narcotics.
The following items are prohibited in GMS Baggage/Courier Consignments:
- Aerosols.
- Aftershaves/perfumes/fragrances.
- Airbags.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Animals.
- Ammunition.
- Any items containing Petrol.
- Biological samples.
- Car batteries.
- Cash and cards.
- Cheques.
- Dangerous goods.
- Driving license.
- Drugs.
- Engines.
- Fire extinguishers.
- Foodstuff.
- Hazardous goods.
- Laptop.
- Lighters.
- Oils.
- Paints.
- Plants.
- Tobacco.
- Water.
- Weapons.
- Windscreens.
Can I Move with My Pets to Cyprus?
You can bring pets to Cyprus in three ways: as cabin baggage, as excess baggage, and as manifested cargo. Prior to the pet’s arrival, you, as the pet’s owner or the person responsible for the pet, must notify the veterinary office. Moreover, upon arrival, pets will be inspected by a veterinary officer or customs officer on duty.
Other requirements you must meet before moving with your pets are:
- Each pet must be identified with an electronic microchip. The microchip must comply with ISO standards 11784 and 11785.
- All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies. The cat/dog must be at least 12 weeks old.
- If you are traveling outside of the EU, all pets must undergo a rabies antibody titration test.
- An official veterinary health certificate must accompany all pets.
- All pets must hold an EU pet passport if traveling from within the EU.
Dangerous and banned breeds in Cyprus are:
- Pit Bull Terrier.
- Japanese Tosa.
- Dogo Argentino.
- Fila Brasileiro.
Popular Cities in Cyprus
Cyprus has many stunning cities to move to as an expat 一 some of the most popular ones include the following:
- Nicosia
- Limassol
- Paphos
- Larnaca
- Famagusta
Nicosia
Cyprus’s capital city, Nicosia, is unlike any other capital city. Nicosia is divided into Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus and the cultural Greek Republic of Cyprus to the South. Yet, there is so much to see and do in Nicosia. Nicosia is home to the Cyprus Museum of Natural History and Ottoman and Roman architecture, such as the Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Mansion.
Moreover, often, it is the scene of cultural events, such as festivals, plays, and dances, because it is the capital city. Nicosia also has many universities, so the city center is often lively on the weekends due to its young population. In addition, the city has several international schools, such as the American International School of Cyprus and the American Academy of Nicosia.
As a final note, it is quite affordable to live in Nicosia compared to other European capital cities. The monthly costs for a single person are around €761 without rent. A family of four will spend approximately €2,653 per month without rent.
Limassol
Limassol is Cyprus’ second largest urban area after the capital city. In the last few decades, it has become a significant tourist destination for those who wish to enjoy sunshine and sand. Limassol’s entertainment, dining, and sightseeing options are unmatched by anything available in other resort destinations. As part of its Carnival celebrations, the city hosts the largest parade in the country every spring, attended by thousands of people.
Furthermore, the city’s excellent balance between work and family will excite you about working there. Finally, a small driving distance, low criminality rate, and many options make Limassol an attractive place to live if you are looking to relocate.
Paphos
Among Cyprus’ most beautiful cities, Paphos stands out for its captivating landscape. Paphos is a UNESCO world heritage site with impressive landmarks and architecture, such as the Tombs of the Kings and Kato Paphos, a vibrant resort site nestled among ruins. Paphos is divided into Upper Paphos (Pano Paphos) on the hill and Lower Paphos (Kato Paphos) on the beach.
The scenery, history, shopping, dining, and hotels in Paphos make it a fantastic destination for couples. The older part of the city has many beachfront restaurants and romantic nightlife. Aside from the beautiful beaches, the town boasts Roman ruins such as the Dionysus, Orpheus, and Aion houses.
Larnaca
Larnaca has more than 6,000 years of history, making it the oldest city in Cyprus. Due to Larnaca’s international airport, the city attracts many visitors that pass through it today. The city of Larnaca, however, is about more than just passing through because there is a lot to see and do.
Larnaca offers its residents fantastic yearly weather, exquisite beaches, an astonishing culture, stable living conditions, and plenty of career opportunities. As a result, a growing number of expatriates live in Larnaca to enjoy the beauty of nature, its people’s happiness, and the sun daily.
Famagusta
Famagusta is one of the most scenic cities on Cyrus, and it offers a wide array of benefits and amenities for expats, settlers, and potential residents. This location is perfect for those seeking a simple, wholesome lifestyle without sacrificing modern amenities.
This city is rich in history and culture, with plenty to see and learn. Moreover, for years it has been chosen as the place with the best European beaches. Lastly, compared to most European cities, Famagusta is favored by expats for its natural beauty, culture, and low cost of living.
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