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COUNTRY PROFILE  |  INTERNATIONAL

Living in CYPRUS

There are many South African expats living in Cyprus, for reasons ranging from new career opportunities, better quality of life, security, improved education for their children, or just “gatvol”, the list is endless.

Affordable living costs and good weather are just some of the reasons that make Cyprus a good place to retire. It is also a very safe country. English one of the official languages besides Greek. And the people are very welcoming. Low crime and excellent healthcare.

Surrounded by the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean, enjoy this sun soaked island with its gorgeous golden sandy beaches and historical sites. It has 65 Blue Flag beaches and one Blue Flag marina

340 days of sunshine a year!

Contact our Relocation specialist

FALL IN LOVE WITH CYPRUS

  • Blue lagoons and clean beaches
  • Mediterranean Dishes
  • Byzantine churches and wealth of history
  • Birth place of The Goddess of Love, Aphrodite
  • Rich in Unesco world heritage sites
cyprus archaelogical site
kyrenia castle
cyprus map (1)

WHY A PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN CYPRUS?

  • Protect your family from the uncertain world
  • Live freely in a peaceful and safe county
  • Access to a first-class healthcare
  • EU education
  • Culturally rich destination
  • Outdoor Mediterranean lifestyle
  • The only EU country that offers Permanent Residency as an option

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The application and process can be completed 100% remotely. Applicants should visit Cyprus within 1 year of approval to provide biometrics.
  • Time to Permanent Residency - approximately 2 months
  • Time to Citizenship - 7 years
  • Residency Requirement - 1 day every 2 years
  • Global Tax consequences - none
  • Family - Investor, spouse, dependents up to age 25 and parents
  • Process - simple, no language, medical exam or interview
  • Investment requirement - Euro300,000 in a secure residential property investment.  Note an initial payment of Euro200,000 can be made and the balance paid at a later date.

 

WHERE TO LIVE IN CYPRUS

Below is a short list to the most popular regions to move to as a South African

  • PAPHOS

The favourite city to move to. On the Mediterranean coast.  Very safe city. Modernised with timeless buildings and architecture. Family friendly. Won the title of Best City of Culture in Europe in 2007.

  • LIMASSOL

The business centre of Cyprus - perfect if you are looking to work or start a business. Loads of action, adventure, entertainment and Culture. Has the largest number of small villages. Boasts many historical and architectural designs. Excellent healthcare system and wide range of schooling options for families. Reliable public transportation system.

  • NICOSIA

One of the top twenty cities to live in Europe. A lively city with tourists and visitors. A good blend of city and village life with a fusion of culture and history. Very welcoming to visitors. Easy travel and connections Nicosia has the best transport and connection system. Since it is strategically located at the midpoint of Africa, Europe, and Asia, travellers enjoy easy connections to international airports and shipping ports. Hundreds of direct flights operate daily across three continents which makes this an attractive option for settlers, especially if you’re looking to buy a property and turn it into a holiday rental place. If you are an EU citizen then you can expect a smoother transition since you are eligible to live, study, work, and run a business there without any hassles. Lowest corporate income tax regime.

  • LARNACA

Popular wine region and takes the crown for the best mediterranean Cypriot cuisined. Since the introduction of the retirement visa back in 2007, Larnaca has become the place to reside when you retire. This scheme was specially designed for wealthy non-EU citizens. The city caters mainly to retirees who enjoy a lot of great benefits such as state of the art healthcare, very low-income tax, and pensions that are not subjected to withholding tax. One of the greatest perks of this city is the duty-free importation of all your items including your car and pets. Larnaca is very cheap and the expenses are manageable.

  • FAMAGUSTA

Considered the marine capital of Cyprus. A busy city. It accounts for a very high number of tourists because the city is surrounded by historical wall structures and has maintained the structure of its past. It is also the industrial production hub for Cyprus with its largest fishing port as well as mainland shipping dock.
Serves as the economic hub of Cyprus and is a great investment for businesses. The Eastern Mediterranean University has been ranked as the best university in Cyprus and qualifications obtained here are recognized worldwide. Excellent healthcare - Famagusta is home to the three best hospitals in Cyprus which are also ranked very high compared to other hospitals around the world.

  • KYRENIA

It’s the least favourite city to settle in, at least in the eyes of the ex-pat community. Even though it is part of EU Cyprus, it still has a heavy Turkish influence making it slightly difficult for immigrants to adjust from a cultural perspective. The city has multiple attractions. It is home to the largest seaport in Cyprus and just like Famagusta, it is a historical city with lots of castles, museums, and walls that surround the city. It is also a tourist magnet and has a very active social life.
It’s an excellent place to visit for the holidays but it does not have a lot of perks for settling in. The city is designed mainly for young millennials and travellers and is not well suited for retirement or families looking to settle down permanently.

 

BUYING PROPERTY AS A FOREIGNER

Choosing the right city to live in will always depend on your lifestyle preferences and budget.

Picking an appropriate city in Cyprus takes careful thought and planning, and it’s best to not rush into such a decision.

Contact Chas Everitt International Sales and Relocations today

to begin your Cyprian Adventure!

 

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