Living in Cyprus Advice for Britons

Some sensible and practical advice for Britons planning on living in Cyprus

As an ever increasing number of Britons are taking a keen interest in relocating to Cyprus either to live and work or to retire, so questions about living in Cyprus are coming to the forefront of more people’s minds.

Although it is a part of the European Union, Cyprus is different in many ways to the UK and mainland Europe and so for British expatriates soon to be living in Cyprus there are some warnings to heed and advice to take.  Living in Cyprus advice for Britons will be dished out by any expat who has already made the transition to resident of Cyprus of course, but we thought we’d add our two penneth for good measure!

The British government makes a point of warning its citizens of the potential pitfalls of visiting or living in Cyprus as it does with all nations in the world.  It also points out that roughly 1.5 million Britons visit Cyprus each year without any incidents at all and so this gives one confidence in the stability of the nation.

The fact is simply that any country in the world offers its fair share of potential pitfalls and Cyprus is no different!

Some of the top concerns Britons face when living in Cyprus revolve around personal safety and security.  Keep in mind though that incident numbers are a drop in the ocean compared to the number of expatriates and tourists that this particularly hot relocation and tourism market experiences, and don’t panic just apply common sense…

Issues to pay attention to include: -

• Terrorism threats.  Like all countries in the world nowadays Cyprus is not immune from terrorist attacks.  Although highly unlikely, attacks are more likely to occur in areas highly trafficked by expats and tourists – although in recent history there have been NO attacks whatsoever.
• Petty theft.  It is not at all uncommon for the British consulate to have to lend a hand in cases of lost or stolen passports, petty theft and other minor crimes.  Consular services were called for in 2006 for help with arrest cases, traffic accidents and assault…basically run of the mill stuff in a place where there is a high concentration of holiday makers having fun!
• Driving.  The British government strongly warns its citizens that driving in Cyprus is not at all like driving in the UK.  The driving standards in Cyprus are appalling!  While you drive on the same side of the road as in the UK, that’s about where the similarities stop!
• Buying property.  If living in Cyprus is going to equate to buying property in the current bull market cycle, the British government strongly recommends its citizens hire proper legal counsel to help them navigate the waters.  Buying property in Cyprus is considered by many investment firms a very good choice, but the rules of the road are sometimes different than what Britons are used to even though the legal system in Cyprus is based on the British at least in part.
• Residency requirements.  British citizens are able to travel into Cyprus for up to 90 days on their passports alone.  To extend a stay a residency permit is required.  This can be obtained through the Civil Registration and Migration Department.

Although the British government issues a few warnings to its citizens about the potential pitfalls of living in Cyprus, many expatriates find this Mediterranean country is very much to their liking – I mean, what’s not to like, the sun shines almost year round, the landscape is breathtaking, the pace of life is conducive for good health, the cuisine is excellent and the people are world famous for their friendliness.  But just as it is with any major relocation, there are new customs to get used to if you move to Cyprus and a certain period of adjustment should be expected.

If a balmy climate and one of the world’s most noted tourist destinations is what you’re seeking, Cyprus is certainly the place to explore.  While living in Cyprus is not exactly like living in Britain, many Britons find the atmosphere makes them feel right at home anyway!