Cyprus
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International Removals to Cyprus . Moving to Cyprus . Moving House Overseas

If you are moving house to Cyprus, there is a lot more to consider than choosing an international removals service. Our relocation guide below provides additional information on subjects such as healthcare in Cyprus, education and obtaining a visa. Please note this information is believed to be accurate at the time of writing, but please check with our international removals department prior to your moving date.

International Removals to Cyprus – click here to read about our removals service.

Visas

The Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have different immigration regulations.

UK nationals may enter the Republic of Cyprus by showing a valid passport or ID card. They do not need a visa to enter the country, as the Republic of Cyprus is part of the EU.

If they intend to stay for more than three months, they must apply for the following:

• An Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) within eight days of their arrival. This is issued at the local Immigration Branch of the Police, and costs a small fee.
• A social security number – before undertaking employment
• A residence permit – this must be applied for before the first three months of their stay in the Republic of Cyprus has passed. It is applied for from the Civil Registration and Migration Department

On successful completion of the above, a residence permit will be issued within six months.
After the accession of the Republic of Cyprus into the European Union, regulations for entering the North of Cyprus have become less strict. UK nationals can enter the country for up to three months by showing a valid passport or ID card.

To live or live/work in North Cyprus, you will be required to apply for a work permit or residency permit. A work permit is granted on a temporary basis, and only for positions that cannot be filled by a TRNC citizen.  A work permit application is made through the local employer, who is offering the foreign national a job.

A residency permit can only be applied for once a property has been purchased in North Cyprus. For your application to be successful you will also be required to test free from health conditions such as HIV and Typhus, and have enough money to support yourself and your dependants.

Finances

Some foreign banks such as HSBC have branches in both North and South Cyprus. Check to see if your current bank has a dedicated expatriate division, or consider opening a new account. This will enable you to get everything set up financially before you depart.
In order to secure the best possible exchange rate when transferring your funds, use the services of a currency broker or a free market watch service. You can also reserve an exchange rate in advance, even if you do not yet have the funds, using a forward contract.

Schools

Schooling is compulsory in the Republic of Cyprus, for children aged six to fifteen and parents can choose to send children to state schools, private schools or International schools.
Local state schools teach the lessons in Greek, but provide intensive Greek language lessons for EU nationals, to enable them to attend free state schools and continue their education.

Private and International schools vary in fees, and most require the child to attend an interview and/or pass an entry exam. Private and International schools teach classes in English, as well as providing support to students where English is not their first language.

In North Cyprus, children are taught between the ages of 5 and 17 – but may legally leave at age 14. State schools generally teach in Turkish. Marif Kolegi secondary schools are the only exception to this, where classes are taught in English.  Places to these schools are offered to selected local children and all expatriates who have been on the island for less than two years.

There are also a number of good private schools in North Cyprus, but no independent schools. All schools in North Cyprus teach Turkish as part of the curriculum.

Health care

Health care in the Republic of Cyprus is provided to expatriates on the same basis as it is given to Cypriot nationals. UK immigrants under pension age, who have come to live permanently in Cyprus are required to obtain an E106 form, and must register with the Cyprus Ministry of Health. They will then be able to apply for a Cyprus Medical Card.

Health care is good in North Cyprus, and no vaccinations are required prior to moving there. You will find a good number of private clinics, hospitals, surgeries and medical facilities as well as dentists and opticians.

Health care is generally inexpensive in North Cyprus. Medical treatment in the hospitals is carried out free of charge. Prescription charges vary from below UK prices to two or three times the price. Private clinics with English-speaking doctors charge high fees for treatment – therefore migrants may want to take out private health insurance. Policies for this can be obtained at a reasonable rate and will provide other benefits such as faster treatment times.

Moving your pet

As the Republic of Cyprus is a part of the EU, pets can be imported from the UK under the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) providing that they have a Pet Passport. Your pet will not have to undergo quarantine. The PETS scheme requires that the animal is micro chipped and vaccinated against Rabies.

Moving your cat or dog to North Cyprus will involve a quarantine period of 3-4 weeks. Again your animal must be micro chipped and vaccinated against rabies.

Check with the North Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for details on importing other types of other pets to North Cyprus.

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