Cyprus is an excellent place for holidays and permanent residence. It is very easy to obtain a visa to Cyprus, which is why many tourists go to this island every summer. However, most often pensioners or wealthy couples with children come here for permanent residence. The island offers excellent living conditions, but extremely unfavorable working conditions.
Here you can run your own business, but finding a well-paid job, as in any EU country, is quite difficult.
Beach town on the island of Cyprus
Every year, more and more wealthy families consider the island as a new place for permanent residence. Excellent climate, absence of cold winters and long off-seasons, sea and sun all year round, favorable ecology.
At the same time, there is one of the most lenient taxation systems in the European Union, high-quality education, and in terms of cost, life in Cyprus is quite comparable to that in Moscow.
Imported food and gasoline are more expensive, but prices for real estate and cars are cheaper. The only thing that really hurts your pocket is utility tariffs.
Who is moving to Cyprus
Life is best for those who have outside income not on the island. Russians with money are welcome here, and not only tourists, but also those who come for permanent residence. A little more than a million people live here permanently, and every year from 2.5 to 3 million people come for tourism purposes, and about a third are vacationers from Russia.
A visa to Cyprus can be issued in one day, this is what sets the country apart from many EU countries where you need to obtain a Schengen visa.
Our compatriots are attracted not only by the climate, but also by the current offshore conditions. Income tax in Cyprus in 2021 is considered one of the most lenient in the entire European Union, although the standard of living is slightly higher than the average in this area.
Moving to Cyprus does not entail long-term adaptation. The main language spoken by the entire population is English, and Russian is also very widespread.
In addition, in every area you can find a Russian-speaking representative; in Cyprus, our diaspora is very large - about 100 thousand people.
The most “Russian” town is Limassol. Nearby are city infrastructure and well-maintained beaches. If you go to any of the parks during the day, you will definitely hear Russian speech: mothers with children and pensioners on the benches, of which there are also many, will communicate.
They come here for several purposes:
- Rest;
- Take care of the family, raise children;
- Educate children in local schools and universities;
- Get education;
- Manage a business located in another country;
- Meet old age.
The least common are those immigrants who came here to work. It is very difficult to get a decent job here, as in most EU countries, but a gentle income tax allows you to develop your own business, including opening company branches in Cyprus.
Transport
During the tourist season, public transport routes run along the entire coast and will take you to almost anywhere in the country. In autumn and winter there are noticeably fewer routes. For Russians accustomed to long distances, everything in Cyprus seems very close. However, it will be extremely difficult to manage without at least one car per family, especially if you live in the village and work in the city.
A used car here costs from 800 euros. Gasoline - about 1.2 euros per liter, about 300 euros are spent on fuel per month.
Insurance and transport tax will cost an average of 500 euros per year. The amounts of these payments, as in Russia, depend on the class of the car.
Renting is a good option for short trips. You will need a license with at least one year of driving experience. The car can be booked in advance via the Internet. By the way, keep in mind: in Cyprus, as a former British colony, traffic is on the left.
Residence permit, permanent residence, passport
The easiest way to obtain a permanent residence permit is for applicants who belong to category F. These are precisely those Russian citizens who plan to live and invest in the Cyprus economy, but do not plan to work and earn income here. It is these guests who are most welcome here; their applications for permanent residence are considered out of turn and on an individual basis. These will include:
- Pensioners whose pension is more than 10 thousand euros annually, for each additional family member the income level is negotiated separately;
- Russian citizens who purchase real estate for further residence in Cyprus, worth more than 300 thousand euros, and have a stable annual income of 30 thousand euros or more.
It is very difficult to obtain a residence permit in Cyprus by opening your own business. In recent years, immigrants who wish to obtain a residence permit in categories A, B, C are very often denied. The Cyprus government is not interested in businesses related to agriculture, mining and mineral development, or trade. There are plenty of entrepreneurs who want to work in these areas among residents of Cyprus or holders of a residence permit.
They are more willing to accommodate those immigrants whose business is directly related to science. The latest developments, research and advanced technologies attract the government of Cyprus, so after careful checks and consultations with the Ministry of Labor and special regulatory organizations, obtaining a residence permit under category D is quite possible.
Sample Cypriot ID card
A separate category of foreigners wishing to obtain a residence permit in Cyprus includes owners of large corporations who wish to manage their business from the island. At the same time, the main condition for obtaining a residence is the size of the company’s authorized capital - more than 170 thousand euros. But such high requirements are fully compensated by a small income tax and a gentle taxation system in general.
Submitting documents for permanent residence
If you intend to emigrate using an investment scheme, you must complete the following steps:
- buy real estate worth from 300,000 EUR;
- contribute at least 2/3 of the amount under the contract;
- make a transfer using funds received outside the territory of Cyprus;
- confirm the annual income for yourself and each family member is 30,000 EUR and 5,000 EUR, respectively;
- open a deposit in a Cyprus bank (30,000 EUR) for a period of 3 years.
Additionally, they provide a certificate of absence of problems with the law (criminal record), certified by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. The documents are sent to the Cyprus Embassy for verification. The necessary translations into Greek are first made and certified by a notary office.
Buying a property
Purchasing real estate does not give the right to obtain a full-fledged residence permit, but by purchasing a small house by the sea, you can obtain “visitor” status. This is a kind of residence permit with reduced rights, which allows you to come to the island and live here for three months every six months. The basis is the principle of any Schengen multiple visa.
Owning real estate is not a basis for issuing a residence permit, but it can be an advantage when applying for permanent residence in Cyprus and obtaining a passport in the future.
Typical house in Cyprus
When applying for permanent residence for pensioners who enter the country with category F documents, having their own house or apartment in any city in Cyprus will also be an additional bonus. In general, the requirement to own your own home is mandatory, but if there is a certain amount of money in the applicant’s accounts, they turn a blind eye to it.
Tax system in Cyprus
It is believed that taxes in Cyprus are among the most expensive for the business community, if we take the conditions of the European Union as a basis. Resident and non-resident companies are taxed differently.
But for those and other legal entities the following taxes apply in Cyprus:
- Income tax is the lowest rate in the European Union, which is 12.5%, while income tax does not apply to income received by foreign branches of the company;
- Defense tax is levied on legal entities and individuals, the interest rate varies from 10 to 15%;
- VAT – in Cyprus it is called VAT and is 15%;
- Capital gains tax in Cyprus is 20%, and only applies to real estate owned by the company;
- State duty - this tax is paid every year and has a fixed rate for all companies - 350 euros.
An agreement on double taxation was signed between Cyprus and Russia, which allows businessmen to optimize their expenses and choose the most favorable conditions for running and developing a business and submitting reports.
Property tax
In addition to the main income tax, in Cyprus there is such a tax item as property tax. It applies to both legal entities and individuals. Everyone who bought an apartment or house on the island must pay the state a certain amount of money annually.
In 2021, new rules for calculating the amount of tax apply. It is necessary to compare the current market value of housing and its equivalent in 1980.
It is clear that the location of the property, its area and type will play a role here, but on average, for a small house of 150 square meters you will have to pay about 350 euros annually.
Housing prices
Buying property in Cyprus or renting it should be based on your own needs. For a seasonal holiday, a villa on the seashore is quite suitable. But for permanent residence it is better to choose a house or apartment closer to the center of a large city. Limassol is considered the most “Russian”.
Coastline around Limassol
The fact is that permanent residence requires the presence of certain infrastructure, such as shops, educational and medical institutions, as well as event industry establishments - bars, cafes, restaurants, cinemas.
In addition to location, the cost is affected by the type and area of housing. A small studio apartment with one bedroom will be significantly cheaper than a house with one bedroom. And, of course, a villa with several floors and several hundred square meters cannot be compared.
The cost of real estate on the secondary market in 2021 starts from 30-40 thousand euros - these are small but fully equipped apartments. The price of an average villa with furnishings starts from a million euros.
This difference in prices is also due to the fact that a significant part of large houses by the sea are rented out, making money from it. The average rental income annually is up to 15% of the cost of housing.
In addition to buying your own property, you can rent a house or apartment. Long-term rent in Cyprus will cost significantly less than short-term rent.
Typical rented apartment in Cyprus
The difference in prices is up to 2.5 times; Also, those who rent for a long time are provided with significant discounts. In general, you can rent a good apartment according to your needs (from one-room apartment to three-room apartment) in Limassol from 300 to 800 euros.
Pros and cons of immigration to Cyprus from Russia
Immigration to Cyprus involves nuances. Every self-respecting migrant, before making a choice in favor of a particular country, must understand what the pros and cons of living in this state are. What are the nuances and exceptions? In this paragraph we will look at the pros and cons of living in Cyprus, which can catch you at the most unexpected moment.
It would also be better to discuss them and prepare for them mentally in advance, rather than face an unpleasant situation already after the fact of life in the state.
Let's look at the positives
Warm climate
Yes, the warm climate is why a huge number of Russians come to Cyprus. It's a great place to spend time with children and retirees. Despite the fact that Cyprus is a resort area, the climate here is quite mild and moderately humid. It will be pleasant for those who dream of improving their health and cannot stand the cold Russian winter.
No crime
Indeed, there are very few crimes in Cyprus; the main troubles during the holiday season are caused only by vacationers. The residents of Cyprus themselves are quite peaceful people; crime here is practically zero. This means that if you intend to move to Cyprus from another state, you can confidently assume that you are completely safe. There are practically no criminal offenses here, which means you can rest assured for yourself and your family members.
High quality of life
Indeed, the high quality of life in Cyprus is evident in everything from real estate to food. Here you will not find rubber tomatoes and cucumbers in the store. All vegetables are only of the highest quality, and they can be purchased not only in expensive supermarkets, but directly in the markets. The same goes for seafood, meat and other foods.
There is high quality in clothing and services. People here are used to working with Europeans who demand good quality in everything. Therefore, Cyprus is intended for people who value comfort and are willing to pay for it.
Medicine
Despite the fact that there is a paid medicine on the island, it is of very high quality. Even if you have serious illnesses, it is in Cyprus that you can find ways to treat them. There are excellent doctors here, as they come to work here from all over Europe. In addition, there is excellent equipment here, since a huge amount of funds from the state budget are allocated for these purposes.
Tax benefits
Indeed, working people in Cyprus are exempt from many taxes, such as property tax, payroll tax and so on. Also, there are certain social categories from which taxes are not levied for one reason or another.
Now that you know the main advantages of this state, and are already planning to pack your suitcase, we invite you to get acquainted with the disadvantages, of which there are also many. Unfortunately. But it’s better to find out about them in advance than to come face to face with them later. Sometimes, this fact becomes the basis for leaving the country where you just intended to live.
Attachments
So, the first thing is the need for investments in order to live peacefully here. Buying an apartment in Cyprus, a job, a car, everything costs a lot of money due to the high quality of life in Cyprus. Therefore, people without money can do nothing here unless you are ready to take on any work, and not in the best conditions.
Compliance with strict migration requirements
In order to maintain order in the state, Cypriots make serious demands on migrants. And in case of repeated violation of the rules of conduct and laws, your residence permit and citizenship may also be revoked.
Specially established limit on the number of applications
If you have exceeded this limit, then unfortunately you will not be able to obtain residence in this country this year.
Also, in the case of Cyprus, rest assured that there are very high prices for literally everything, from food and clothing to real estate. To purchase certain items you will have to fork out a lot of money.
Now that you know the pros and cons and can analyze them, you can easily decide whether you should move to Cyprus or look for another place to live. However, if you are determined and confident in your decision, we suggest you get acquainted with the various migration methods.
Standard of living in Cyprus
When compared with the countries of the European Union, life in Cyprus in 2021 may seem much more expensive than in a number of Schengen countries. But if we take Moscow as a model, the difference in prices is not very noticeable, although it exists.
Prices in Cyprus are higher for imported products, but for domestically produced goods, including agricultural products and meat, they are an order of magnitude lower than in the capital. In addition, local fruits and vegetables are of excellent quality and taste.
At any time of the year, there is always a lot of vegetable dishes, cold and hot snacks on the table of the average family. Cypriots prefer pork and lamb as meats. Also, a significant part of the table is allocated to seafood and fish.
Food prices in Larnaca - this is what the next video is about.
Eating at home and cooking yourself is much cheaper than eating in catering establishments. The average bill at a no-frills cafe for a full meal without alcohol is approximately 15 euros.
Education in Cyprus
The education system in Cyprus is considered to be of fairly high quality, and graduates of higher educational institutions can easily find work in good positions in the European Union. Residents of Russia actively use the local secondary school to prepare their children for further education in Austria or Switzerland.
The system itself is somewhat different from the generally accepted one in Russia. Education in Cyprus consists of several stages. The very first one is a nursery and kindergarten.
A child can be sent to a municipal institution as early as the fifth month of life. There is no such thing as three years of maternity and parental leave.
A young mother must go to work when the baby is 4 months old. From nursery, the child goes to kindergarten, which lasts not until age 6, like ours, but until age 5.
Schooling begins at the age of 5 in Cyprus. This stage is mandatory for all children. After 12 years of study, college and higher education are optional. But for those who plan to make a career in government agencies, having a university diploma is mandatory.
Foreign students are attracted to Cyprus by the opportunity to receive an international diploma, live and study abroad, on the seashore, in a wonderful climate. In addition, those who see their future in the business space come here to improve their qualifications and get a second degree: Cyprus has a very strong MBA school.
Advantages and disadvantages of immigration
To form correct assessments, an individual list of important criteria is established. A family with children needs high-quality school and higher education.
Pensioners need peace and good medical care. However, before a detailed consideration of individual positions, it is possible to list the characteristic parameters of residence in Cyprus.
Positive sides
Lovers of light clothing can exclude heavy fur coats and winter shoes from their wardrobe. Even in January there is no frost on the island, which means saving money on heating your home.
The warm sea provides comfortable conditions for swimming all year round without the skills of a “walrus”.
The average statistical data for Ayia Napa will help you assess the climate:
| Options | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | |
| Temperature, °C | Air (day/night) | 15,7/13,1 | 16/13 | 18/14 | 21,5/17 | 26/21 | 29,1/24,6 | 31,6/27,2 | 32,1/27,8 | 30,5/26,3 | 26,9/23,4 | 22,2/19,6 | 17,8/15,3 |
| Water | 17,7 | 17 | 17 | 18,4 | 21 | 24,5 | 27,5 | 28,5 | 28 | 25,9 | 22,7 | 19,7 | |
| Number of rainy days | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
In addition to favorable climatic conditions, the following advantages should be listed:
- good ecological condition and well-equipped beach infrastructure;
- regular lifestyle;
- low crime rate;
- absence of traffic jams;
- the presence in large settlements of stores with a “Russian” product range;
- high level of the education system.
Local residents know Russian well, so there is no need to learn Greek to communicate.
Negative sides
The slow pace of service compared to Russia can disappoint immigrants. Restaurant waiters and government officials are slow to perform their duties.
You should not count on punctuality of business partners or timely fulfillment of verbal obligations by builders. To avoid negative emotions after moving, you need to tune in to a measured Mediterranean lifestyle.
The price level is higher than in Russia, but lower than in the EU. Taking into account average values, accurate analysis requires careful checking of each position. Large costs are associated with medical care, education, and fuel.
The good environmental situation is due to the absence of heavy industrial enterprises. However, the wind sometimes brings dust from African deserts. The cleanest air is in mountainous areas.
The hot climate in summer makes it necessary to frequently use air conditioning to maintain comfortable indoor conditions. On some days the temperature exceeds +45°C, which is much higher than the monthly average. In winter, humidity increases.
The island is located near tectonic faults, so local legislation regulates construction activities accordingly.
New buildings are built to standards that maintain structural integrity after shocks. It should be emphasized that the earthquakes recorded since 2000 are insignificant - up to 3-4 points.
Salary in Cyprus
Getting a job in Cyprus is very difficult. Local companies may be ready to hire English-Russian speaking foreigners for positions, but to do this they will have to go through many bureaucratic procedures.
As in all EU countries, local employers will first have to prove that among local residents, holders of residence permits and permanent residence permits, as well as other residents of the European Union, there are no suitable candidates for this position, and only you are suitable.
After filling out a number of papers and submitting requests to the relevant authorities, namely the Ministry of Labor and Migration Services, the employer must wait about 4 months before you start working for him.
At the same time, salaries in Cyprus cannot be said to be very high. 1.5-2 thousand euros is the average salary for qualified specialists without special or rare skills. Workers in the service sector can earn similar amounts during peak season. The rest of the time, unskilled personnel have an average salary of about 800 euros per month.
Available methods
There are really a lot of available methods, so you can choose one of the most relevant for yourself.
However, be sure that each method is fraught with many pitfalls that you should familiarize yourself with in advance. However, if you are aware that living in Cyprus is a necessity, you can easily overcome significant nuances.
Employment
Yes, it is quite difficult for a foreigner to get a job in Cyprus. The whole point is that he must find not only an employee, but also a person for whom he can vouch in case he does not fulfill his duties in good faith.
The employment visa is issued for a period of one year and will be extended if the employment contract has not expired by that time.
It is better to go to work in Cyprus by invitation, this means that the employer himself must invite you to work. Finding an employer from Cyprus is not difficult; to do this, you need to visit thematic websites and also write to the offices of large international companies that have branches in this country.
Having a work visa, a citizen and his family members can count on insurance, good rental housing and high wages. In order to find an opportunity to work in Cyprus, you are advised to translate your diploma and certificates in advance.
Business immigration
Naturally, business owners strive to move to Cyprus in order to have the opportunity to develop their business there. The purchasing power of Cypriots is very high; they can spend a large amount of money. This means that it is the best fit for running your own business. However, Cyprus does not allow all residents of the country to run their own business. To begin with, you need to provide a business plan, as well as a detailed description of your business, for review by the administration. After this, you will be assigned a curator who will carefully monitor you to ensure that you do not allow any tricks in building your business.
You need to hire local people. Also, you are exempt from taxes for the first time, but you are required to report to the administration very strictly. If the fact is revealed that you are hiding your income so as not to pay taxes in the future. Unfortunately, you will not only be denied permission to run your business, but also your residence permit. However, if things go well and business is booming, you can expect to receive a residence permit within the next year.
Education
Many students dream of going to Cyprus to study. This is a great opportunity to combine business with pleasure. The wonderful climate, the Mediterranean Sea is combined with training, the opportunity to get a profession here, the main thing is to stay.
There are not so many higher educational institutions in Cyprus. The cost of education is high, so parents will have to fork out money.
Obtaining a student visa in Cyprus consists of several stages.
First, you need to contact your chosen university.
After this, testing takes place, based on which a decision is made about the possibility of enrolling you in training or the possibility.
Then, all documents are drawn up for you and payment details are offered. You pay for the first year of training, after which a contract is concluded.
With these documents you must present yourself to the migration service or the Cyprus consulate.
Do not forget that your parents must vouch for you, offering to provide for you during your studies, or you must have a sum of money in your account in order to live comfortably in Cyprus for a year.
Upon submission of all documents, your papers will be reviewed, which means a decision will be made to refuse or, conversely, to refuse to issue a student visa.
It can be renewed annually.
Also, there is an opportunity to stay in Cyprus after studying, so finding a job with a diploma will not be difficult. Find an official job, you can think about applying for a residence permit in a year.
Family reunion and marriage
If you have close relatives living in Cyprus, such as children, parents, grandparents, siblings, you can participate in the family reunification program. To do this, you need to collect the necessary package of documents and contact the consulate. It is important that the opposite party living in Cyprus also submits documents on the basis of which they want to reunite with you, with their family.
Documents on kinship will be carefully examined, after which you will be assigned a number in the queue. The line is quite slow, as there are many people willing to participate in the program. And so, as soon as your turn comes, you will be able to come to Cyprus and receive a residence permit after 2 years.
Things are completely different for those who want to marry a citizen of Cyprus. In this case, the marriage must be concluded on the territory of the country. In addition, you must renounce your current citizenship if you want to obtain citizenship and rights.
You need to undergo testing by the local administration in order to prove that the marriage is not fictitious.
Once you have completed all stages of verification, you will be asked to fill out some paperwork. A residence permit is issued after 2 years, and after another two years you can obtain citizenship. However, this will only be possible if you managed to save your marriage, the main thing is not to get a divorce.
Purchase of real estate
Purchasing property in Cyprus is an expensive purchase. Local authorities know how expensive it is, so they offer such people to obtain a residence permit in a short time for 2 years. However, for this, a number of conditions must be met. For example, ownership must be registered specifically in your name or in the name of your family members. However, during the time you receive a residence permit, the property should not be transferred to other people on the right of ownership.
After 2 years from receiving a residence permit, you can also apply for citizenship.
There are limits and conditions for purchasing real estate in Cyprus. The square must correspond to the number of family members and also have some characteristics. Commercial real estate is not a basis for accelerated receipt of a residence permit.
Applying for an F visa
The f visa has many restrictions. Most often it is issued in relation to those people who come here not to work, but most likely accompany their spouse, who already has a business or job in Cyprus. This visa is issued for a wife and children.
Refugee
If you are persecuted in your own country, then you can count on Cypriot citizenship. But in this case, you must follow the established instructions. Thus, it is believed that in order to be recognized as a refugee, it is necessary to confirm the fact of persecution. For this purpose, documents and available evidence are attached that confirm that your life, health, as well as the life and health of your loved ones, have been subjected to any attacks. In addition, you state what caused the discord between you and your state. Perhaps these are different ideological considerations, religious views, and so on.
Then, a special commission meets on your case, which decides whether you can become a citizen of Cyprus or not.
If the commission’s decision is made in your favor, then your children will also receive refugee status. A residence permit can be obtained after 2 years.
By the way, if during this period it is proven that the basis for recognition as a refugee was far-fetched, or it does not correspond to reality, then you will be deprived of this status and may even be expelled from the country.
