Relocation
Everything you need to know before you relocate to Cyprus.
“It didn’t happen right away. It was hard at first and I often felt like the whole thing was a huge mistake. Over time, I discovered the power of community; what it meant to have someone who speaks your language and knows the answers to most of your initial questions. I got to feel at home even though I was thousands of miles away from my family.”
Dana, who has been living in Cyprus for two years.
You have decided that Cyprus is your next destination. What will you have to do?
First, you will have to get the necessary permits to stay in Cyprus or turn it into your official place of residence.
Anyone who enters Cyprus can stay on the island for 90 days without a visa.
People who have a European passport and who wish to extend their stay must file an application called the Registration Certificate for EU Nationals with the local registration office. The application must be filed within four months of your entry to Cyprus. The Yellow Slip is used to approve the extension of your stay, and it enables you to be insured by the public health system and exercise all the rights available to residents of Cyprus, including working in Cyprus.
Fortunately, your employer is the one responsible for obtaining your work permit.
To become a resident, you must meet a series of criteria (see “Passport and Residency.”) Before you arrange an appointment at the registration office, you should contact an immigration lawyer.
Your home is your solace
One of the most important stages of your emigration is finding a good home that meets your needs and specifications. This home will give you solace as you go through your challenging adjustment period. Leaving everything you know, the adjustment process and the distance from your family and friends could be quite challenging at first.
Our property management team will provide you with assistance until you find your new home. We maintain a diverse portfolio and specialize in property improvement. Every property is an outstanding example of architectural design and offers a uniquely comfortable and rich residential experience. Our team is committed to fully meeting your needs and specifications. Please feel free to contact us today.
What do I need to know about the relocation process?
ICY can find a perfect home for you – which will be tailored to your personality, your desired lifestyle, and your preferred location. We specialize in finding flats and homes that are tailored to our customer’s needs and provide ongoing and meticulous assistance throughout the process. Begin your search here.
It’s important to know that broker fees in Cyprus are paid by property owners rather than by tenants or buyers.
We also offer assistance with improving your property. This is achieved by a skilled and professional team of designers who renovate, design and tailor your home according to your budget and specifications.
Looking for an office?
ICY can provide you with the assistance you need. Our familiarity with the island enables us to find an ideal office according to your wishes.
Relocation of employees in Cyprus
ICY has relocated many companies to Cyprus over the past few years and has found suitable housing solutions for dozens of employees. Our team is always attentive to your needs and will know how to give you the best advice and assistance.
First, you must obtain the necessary permits to stay in Cyprus or turn it into your official place of residence.
A residency permit can be obtained in several ways:
Tourist visa – Anyone who enters Cyprus may stay on the island for 90 days without a visa.
Permanent Residency – You may receive this permit by purchasing property in Cyprus for an amount that exceeds EUR 300,000.
European passport holders – Persons with a European passport who wish to extend their stay must file an application (Registration Certificate for EU Nationals) with the local registration office. The application must be filed within four months of your entry to Cyprus. The Yellow Slip is used to approve the extension of your stay, and it enables you to be insured by the public health system and exercise all the rights available to residents of Cyprus, including working on the island.
Work Visa – Your employer is responsible for obtaining your work permit. It’s important to understand that the spouse of a visa recipient can immediately receive a permit to stay in Cyprus.
Starting November 1, 2020, Cyprus ceased to issue passports in exchange for property investments on the island.
Residency, however, is a different story. In order to become a resident of the Republic of Cyprus, the applicant needs to own a property that is worth EUR 350,000 and prove that this property is their main place of residence.
Residents of the Republic of Cyprus may stay and live on the island indefinitely. They may enter and leave the country without any restrictions, both in normal and exceptional times, e.g., during pandemics or other circumstances.
Please note that residency status does not grant a work visa. To receive a work visa, you will have to file a specific application with the relevant authorities.
Temporary residency can also be obtained as follows:
- By establishing a company and owning it.
- You can establish a company, and hire foreign and local employees, but you must provide evidence that the initial capital used to establish the company (EUR 171,000) originated in an external source, i.e., a source that is not taxable in Cyprus.
Immigration Permits
There are many other ways to obtain a residence permit in Cyprus. It is very important to contact an immigration lawyer or agent who is familiar with the procedures, permits and the process that you will undergo. Click here to learn more about immigration permits.
You’ll find many homes in Cyprus that are already fully or partially furnished, and you will therefore only have to bring a small number of personal items, clothes, etc.
Available shipping methods
Maritime transport: The most common and well-known method is maritime transport. Maritime transport is suitable for larger shipments and/or items that are not urgent.
Air transport: If you want to receive your cargo (or parts thereof) faster, you can also choose the air cargo option. This is a faster, albeit more expensive method.
Excess weight: Another solution for items that you want sent quickly consists of packing your belongings in bags and suitcases and paying a few extra tens or hundreds of dollars to bring them with you to your destination. This isn’t the best solution (in terms of the weight that you can carry), but it is the fastest one available.
We recommend planning your shipments in advance, consulting multiple companies, and getting their price quotes.
Recommended courier service providers:
As your family relocates, it’s important to remember the beating heart of your home, namely, your dog.
Prepare in advance so that you’ll be ready on time, and take all of the following steps.
You can also use the assistance of a company such as Pets2Fly.
You need to take the following steps whenever you bring an animal on a plane.
Rabies antibody test – a blood test conducted by a veterinarian in Israel, whose results are sent to the Beit Dagan Laboratory. This test must be done three months before the flight.
Health certificate and animal export permit – the documents needed to take a dog from one country to another
Taking your dog to the plane – not all airline companies allow animals on board, and it’s therefore necessary to make sure it’s possible before you book your flight. If the dog weighs less than 8 kg, you may take it with you into the aircraft cabin.
If your dog weighs more than 8 kg, it will be kept in an onboard cage according to its measurements and IATA regulations. Before the flight, please send an email to your district veterinarian in your arrival city, accompanied by all of the requisite details and your signed documents.
The email address of Larnaca’s veterinarian: [email protected]
You will arrive at the airport with both the cage and your dog.
During your flight, you are recommended to inform your flight attendants and remind them that there is a dog on board, and make sure that they regulate the air supply.
Arrival – the dog is collected at the baggage claim. From there you’ll proceed to the airport’s veterinarian office, where the dog will be examined and all the requisite permits will be provided.
Animal testing entails the following fees:
Between 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM – EUR 43.
3 PM or later, weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and holidays – EUR 60.
In addition to leaving their extended family and friends, children will have to go through a period of adjustment in a new school environment, learn the local customs, and familiarize themselves with a foreign language. This could entail social and scholastic difficulties, and it’s therefore important to find the right facility for them. Most foreign residents on the island go to private British schools. Most of these schools are considered to be high-quality, and teaching is carried out in English.
Considering relocating? Just launched your relocation journey? Contact us now to find your new home.
Considering relocating? Just launched your relocation journey? Contact us now to find your new home.
