Moving To Cyprus Expat Guide part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.
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The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.
Introduction
Moving to Cyprus can be a wonderful experience if you’re looking to live in a new place where you get to know new cultures and habits. In order to become familiar with how it works, especially if this is going to be your first time moving away from home, you should find out as much information as possible about the place you are going to live in.
This article will give you a brief outline of moving to Cyprus as an expat and all the information to help you prepare for your stay on this beautiful Mediterranean island. The best way to learn about the country is, undoubtedly, experiencing it yourself. However, when moving from one place to another, there are always a few things that you can learn beforehand.
You can either do this by checking the update on our platform or talking to other expats. But, we recommend doing both since these are two different ways of gathering information that complement each other extremely well. Moreover, if you are moving to Cyprus with your family, you must adjust to the change at the same time.
It can be difficult enough for adults coming to a whole new continent, but children will, even more, help since this is completely new for them. We recommend beginners to start slowly and, after arriving in Cyprus, begin learning the language right away. This will help you adjust to your new life much more quickly and effectively.
Today, we will walk you through the pros and cons of moving to Cyprus. Not only is that, but we have compiled the things to know before relocating to this country and many other things, to mention a few. Are you ready to check what we have unleashed in this article? If that sounds like a yes, read further!
Overview of Cyprus Cultures and Traditions
There are many cultures and traditions in Cyprus, both during historical eras and today. Throughout the history of Cyprus, there have been many civilizations that came to this island. The first known civilization was the Alassa, who settled here in 3500 before Christ.
Since then, various civilizations conquered it but all were assimilated into the dominant Greek Cypriot culture. A lot of these cultures influenced the Greek Cypriot way of life, but some are still kept alive today. These traditions include folklore dances and songs, cooking, religious customs, and even games played during celebrations.
There are many types of folk dances in Cyprus which vary depending on the geographical location of each community. The most popular dance in Cyprus is the sousta performed in all regions. There are also many other folk dances, including the zeimbekiko, pentozali, and hasapiko, among others.
The most popular songs sung during celebrations are not actually folk songs but religious ones. Popular religious songs include; su oglia ke su prospathia (which is sung during weddings), su hariga ke su kyria (sung after funerals), and su latziatzia ke su esperinos (sung during the day before Easter).
Cyprus is also known for its tasty cuisine, which varies depending on the part of Cyprus you are visiting. Some traditional foods you might find in Cyprus are halloumi cheese, souvla (barbecue) meat, kolokasi (taro root), kleftiko cooked in a sealed clay pot, and even the traditional sheftalia, which is made from minced pork or beef.
Traditionally, during weddings it was the duty of the groom’s family to organize a dance for the guests. This dance was called Xero kleftis, meaning “empty the thief’s bag.” The event would last all night and end when everyone was tired or at dawn.
7 Things to Know Before Moving to Cyprus
Moving to a new country is an exciting time, but it can be daunting if you don’t know what to expect. Luckily there are some things you should know before moving to Cyprus. From the island’s location and size to cultural traditions, read our list of 7 things you need to know about living in Cyprus.
Cyprus Is a Mediterranean Island
If you’re moving to Cyprus, you’ll be in good company; the island is popular with tourists and expats year-round. While the population of Cyprus is just over 1 million people, there are often many more visitors than residents on any given day.
As a Mediterranean island, temperatures throughout the year will typically range between highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Rainfall, which is heaviest in the winter months, can add moisture to an otherwise warm climate.
English Is the Most Widely Spoken Language
As a small island with large tourism industry, many Cypriots speak multiple languages, including Greek and Turkish; however, English is spoken in most places and by many people. This is a good thing for newcomers to Cyprus, as you’ll be able to navigate the island with ease when visiting areas where English isn’t spoken without any prior knowledge of the language.
The Country Moves to a Different Time zone in the summer
In addition to discussing time in terms of AM/PM, the 24-hour clock system is also used in Cyprus. This can be a bit confusing at first, but what might prove more confusing is that the country moves to Eastern European Time (EET) for eight months of the year. From April to October, you’ll need to set your watch forward one hour when entering or leaving the country.
There Are 12 Bank Holidays per Year
When planning to travel or work during bank holidays, be sure to check the date double. The 12 public holidays that occur each year are not consecutive, so if you need to take a day off, it is best to plan carefully as you won’t have much flexibility.
The Language of Cyprus Is Greek
The official language in Cyprus is Greek, but English and Turkish are widely spoken. Many buildings include English translations of important information such as hours of operation and prices, and road signs and other public postings will also be in all three languages.
Cyprus Is a Country of Contrasts
Cyprus is a country of contrasts, from the interior, which consists of lush green mountains and fertile plains, to its coastal areas that include beautiful beaches with bright blue water.
In addition to the travel differences between urban and rural areas, it is important to note that northern Cyprus has been under military occupation since 1974. While this does not affect most travel to the island, it is something that you should know if traveling between southern and northern Cyprus.
The Country Has Ample Wi-Fi Availability
Whether you’re looking to stay in touch with friends and family back home or just need internet access while on the go, Cyprus has plenty of options for wireless internet. Cafés will often advertise free Wi-Fi along with their other amenities, but this service is almost always limited to customers only.
Hotels offer fast internet access in rooms, and many restaurants will also have Wi-Fi services. If all else fails, you can find internet cafes or libraries where you can get online for a small fee.
Why Moving to Cyprus in 2022
Today’s world is filled with many great opportunities for work, study, and leisure. It is also filled with risks terrorism threats, to name one of them. This has led to increased residency applications from countries not part of the European Union (EU).
One such country is Cyprus. An EU member state stands out from the rest of the EU member states due to its inexpensive residency and citizenship programs. The benefits of these programs have led a large number of citizens from non-EU countries to consider relocation to Cyprus in order to gain all the benefits offered by being a citizen of an EU state.
This article will explore why it may be better to relocate to Cyprus in 2022.
1. Low Cost of Living
One of the most appealing aspects of living in Cyprus is its low cost of living. Compared to most other cities within the European Union, living in Cyprus is much lower. This is due to a number of reasons, including an inexpensive real estate market and low taxes.
2. Low Taxes
Another reason that many people are considering moving to Cyprus in the next few years is its low taxes. The value-added tax (VAT) rate of 17% is substantially lower than most other European Union member states, ranging from 20-25%. Furthermore, income taxation is only 10%, with no limits to the amount one earns before being taxed.
3. Citizenship by Investment Programs
Another reason why many individuals are considering moving to Cyprus is because of its citizenship through investment programs. The most popular of these programs is the Cypriot Investment Program (CIP). This program allows an individual to become a citizen of Cyprus and gain all the benefits that come with this, including visa-free travel access to over 160 countries and low tax rates. In order to participate in this program, a potential citizen must be able to invest at least two million Euros in the Cypriot economy and have access to fifteen million Euro.
4. The Ease of Obtaining a Residency Permit
Another reason why many individuals are considering relocating to Cyprus because it is fairly easy to get there on a legal residency permit. This is due to Cyprus’ easily accessible visa-free travel policies with over one hundred countries worldwide.
In order to be eligible for a Cypriot residency permit, an individual must simply have access to at least five thousand euros per month and invest a minimum of three hundred thousand Euros in a real estate purchase.
5. Expats Living in Cyprus is Rising
The final reason many individuals are considering relocating to Cyprus is that there has been an increase in the number of expats who live and work within the country’s borders. Most people who move to Cyprus either live or work due to having obtained a residency permit.
6. The Country’s Safe Location
In terms of its location, Cyprus is a very safe country to relocate to. In fact, it was ranked as the fourth safest country in the world by Forbes Magazine in 2016. This article will conclude with Reason number seven: Reason number seven: Cyprus’s beautiful weather on average 235 days a year.
7. The Beautiful Weather
Cyprus is a very safe country to move to. Furthermore, it has an excellent job market and many attractions for expats to enjoy. When discussing what makes Cyprus such an appealing place for expats, the most common response involves its weather which is said to have 235 days of sunshine on average per year.
