Expat Cyprus

Cyprus is the third largest island located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is South of Turkey and fairly close to Greece. While Cyprus has had its political problems in recent decades, the island is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world attracting over 2 million people each year to enjoy the wonderful weather, warm water and beautiful beaches.

Cyprus is divided into two main parts, the Republic of Cyprus, which is the island state that is in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The two parts are separated by a UN controlled green line. While there are frequent political skirmishes, for the most part, both parts of the islands are stable and comfortable for expats to visit and live.

Climate

One of the biggest advantages of being an expat in Cyprus is the wonderful weather. The climate in Cyprus is Mediterranean, meaning that there is plenty of warm sunshine, dry summers and mild winters. While it does rain in Cyprus, the largest amounts of precipitation occur during the winter months. It should be noted that Cyprus does have mountains which have colder climates. In fact, during the winter months, upon the Troodos Mountains, you will find a ski facility opened when enough snow has fallen.

Temperatures can be very high during the summertime, expect highs in the 80's and sometimes in the 90's. During the winter months, it is not that common for land located at sea level to drop below the 50's.

Government

There are two separate states that are located on the island of Cyprus. The first is the Republic of Cyprus which is located primarily in the southern end of the island. The Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognized. The second part of Cyprus is to the north and called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, this republic is only recognized by the state of Turkey; however the two republics are split in two by a green line which the United Nations controls.

For expats looking to live in Cyprus, most generally live in the south (Republic of Cyprus). Although there may be political skirmishes from time to time, Cyprus generally is a safe and stable island to live.

For Americans interested in visiting or living in Cyprus you can enter the country and stay within both the south and north part of the island for up to 90 days. You can learn more about visa and residency requirements at the Embassy of the United States in Nocisia or the Embassy of Cyprus in Washington D.C..

For those specifically visiting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, you may want will find information on various offices at Cyprus.com > Government and Politics > Government > Embassies > North Cyprus. It should be noted that the United States does not legally recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Tax System

Cyprus is seen by many as an excellent place to invest or start a business. Corporate income taxes are extremely low and the tax rate is only 10 percent. For individual income, tax rates are moderate with the highest tax rate at 30 percent.

Besides income taxes, there are quite a few other taxes that include a Value Added Tax (VAT) and a real estate tax among others.

Medical Care

Medical care in the Republic of Cyprus is extremely adequate and generally meets Western standards. In fact, many of the physicians that practice in Cyprus have trained in either the UK or the United States. There are many public hospitals, as well as private hospitals and clinics. The cost of health care in Cyprus is generally less than in the states, but equipment may be priced higher. It should be noted that the quality of care in the north of the island (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) lags behind in quality and infrastructure than the south.

If you are planning on living on the island for a long period of time, you should be able to purchase private insurance. Many expats that are classified as tourists should purchase international medical insurance or travel insurance with a component of medical care.

Real Estate

For the most part purchasing real estate in Cyprus is straightforward; however it can be complicated so you are advised to seek the help of a real estate lawyer. For those buying either a summer home or investment property, there are many real estate companies that cater to both US and UK citizens making the experience much easier.

Renting or leasing an apartment in Cyprus is relatively affordable. For the most part expect apartment prices in decent and popular areas to be less than you will spend in the states. The same thing is true for leasing a home. It should be noted that certain homes are only leased for the short term and these homes and apartments can be much more expensive than in the states.

There are many expats on Cyprus, while many are UK; there is also a community of Americans as well. If you are looking for the cheapest way to enjoy the beautiful island and climate of Cyprus, you might want to look into sharing an apartment or home with a few others, the cost savings can be quite significant.

Shopping

For the most part, the Republic of Cyprus is a well developed country with bustling ports and infrastructure. It is extremely easy to find many necessities. However, since all goods must be shipped in and its location is in the Mediterranean Sea, there are certain goods that can be hard to find.

Cyprus has plenty of shops that cater to tourists. Finding nice clothes, luxury goods and many other touristy items is fairly easy. It should be noted that in the north, within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, items are much more difficult to locate and the quality of items may be different from those found in the south.

There is plenty of entertainment on the island; you can find lots of wonderful restaurants, clubs and pubs. In fact, Cyprus is known for its legendary nightlife and plenty of party goers come to Cyprus to enjoy the summer months. In addition, Cyprus also has many residents that own summer homes and return year after year, making Cyprus one of the most popular expat destinations.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Cyprus is very affordable and this is one of the reasons that Cyprus enjoys a large expat population. Housing on the whole is affordable, as well as most restaurants and entertainment costs. During the high season, expect prices to be higher due to the influx of visitors.

For those looking for a high quality of life with plenty of entertainment choices, the Republic of Cyprus has been on top of many expats lists for decades. While Cyprus does continue to have its political problems, for the most part it is a relatively safe and stable country. If you are looking for a beautiful Mediterranean climate, along with delicious food and beautiful beaches, Cyprus is definitely worth looking into.

Web Sites for Expats in Cyprus

AngloINFO

AngloINFO provides the English-language information you need for life in Cyprus.

Cyprus Country Guide

Country guide to Cyprus from ExpatForum.com.

Extradition from Cyprus

The Extradition treaty between Cyprus and the United States of America was signed on June 17, 1996

This treaty was entered into force on September 14, 1999