On this page we will provide helpful information on how to move to Cyprus, from visa procedures to adapting to your new environment. To begin with, we’ll tell you how to move to Cyprus: how to get a residence permit and permanent residency, get a job or open a business, what documents to prepare for each family member, where and how to find an apartment for rent in Cyprus or how to buy property, find the best properties for you and help you conclude a contract. Let’s look at the steps to help you move to Cyprus.
How to move to Cyprus for permanent residence: 5 First steps
Moving to a new country is a step that requires a detailed plan, understanding, and patience. You can only adjust to life in a new environment smoothly and seamlessly through full awareness and thorough preparation.
Step 1: Researching the Country and Preparing to Move
The first step is to research and plan your move to Cyprus thoroughly. Become familiar with the local culture, traditions, customs, and language. Research the real estate market, employment opportunities, and what educational institutions are available. Create a financial plan by estimating living expenses, tuition, medical care, and other costs. Know what you will face and whether life in the country is proper because even mental differences can be overwhelming.
Step 2: Visa procedures
Obtaining a visa is an essential step to migrating to Cyprus. Depending on your situation, you can apply for a tourist visa, student visa, work visa, or get permanent residency through an investment program. Prepare the necessary documents, fill out the forms, and contact the Cypriot consulate or embassy in your country for details on visa requirements.
Step 3: Finding a place to live
One of the critical aspects of relocating to Cyprus is finding the right home to rent or buy. Check out the different areas and types of property on the island beforehand. You can rent a home for the first time or consider buying your square footage as soon as you arrive or even before you arrive on the island, as you can buy property in Cyprus online without visiting the country. Contact SPM professionals to find suitable options.
Step 4: Financial aspects
Before moving to Cyprus for permanent residence, develop a budget, considering the cost of accommodation, food, transportation, medical care, and other necessary expenses. Learn about the taxation system in Cyprus and the requirements for opening a bank account. If necessary, seek financial advice from SPM for additional information and guidance.
Step 5: Adaptation and Communication
After you relocate to Cyprus, you will need time to adjust to your new environment. Learn the local customs, culture, and language. Try to get to know the locals, including other foreigners, and join various social groups or clubs to expand your social circle. Take advantage of language learning opportunities through courses or language exchanges.
Immigration to Cyprus: the main ways to move to the island for non-European Union citizens
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a student, a property owner, or looking for ways to push your limits, Cyprus offers a variety of programs and immigration avenues to help you realize your dreams of living on this beautiful island.
For example, for non-EU citizens, there are various ways to immigrate to Cyprus:
- Work or Employment Visa. You can get a work permit in Cyprus if you have an offer from a local employer. The company hiring you must apply for your work visa at the Ministry of Labor, and after receiving the permit, you can move to Cyprus.
- Study. Students can obtain a visa to study at one of the universities in Cyprus. You must provide proof of enrollment and financial solvency to cover tuition and living expenses.
- Business and Investment. You can start your own business or invest in an existing business in Cyprus. This can allow you to obtain permission to reside and do business on the island. The amount of investment and requirements may vary from program to program, but a significant amount of investment is usually required.
- Family relocation. If you have close relatives (spouse, parents, or children) who are Cypriot citizens or have permanent residency in Cyprus, you can apply for a residence permit based on family ties.
- Another way is the Permanent Residence for Investment program. Cyprus offers a permanent residency program for investment, under which you can obtain a residence permit by investing a certain amount in real estate, business, or other Cypriot assets. This is an accelerated program. You and your family will receive permanent residency status in about 2 months, and the minimum investment amount of 300,000 € plus VAT.
In any case, you should contact the relevant authorities, such as the Cyprus Ministry of Interior, the Embassy of Cyprus in your country, or SPM specialists, to get detailed information about the requirements and procedures to immigrate to Cyprus.
How to get a residence permit (Pink Slip) when moving to Cyprus
A Pink Slip temporary residence permit is necessary to live legally in Cyprus. The Pink Slip allows non-EU citizens to stay in Cyprus for more than 90 days and extend their stay regardless of the length of the original visa. Your family members can also receive this status.
The residence permit is valid for one year and can be renewed annually. The procedure for obtaining a residence permit in practice takes from 3 months to six months. After the application, you are allowed to stay in Cyprus until the issuance of a residence card.
Here are a few key steps you need to take to obtain a residence permit in Cyprus:
- Determining the basis for obtaining a residence permit, such as employment, investment, family reunification, and education.
- Gathering the necessary documents. You will usually need a passport, a certificate of no criminal record, health insurance, rental agreement or ownership documents, financial certificates proving your funds, and possibly other documents.
- Application. After preparing the necessary documents, you must apply for a residence permit at the relevant department of the Migration Service of Cyprus. Contact your local department or embassy for information on the application procedure and required forms.
- Waiting for a decision and getting a residence permit. After submitting your application, you must wait for your case to be processed. The waiting time may vary depending on the application and the volume of applications, so be patient. If the decision is favorable, you will be given a Pink Slip, establishing your legal status in Cyprus.
- Residence Permit Renewal. Take care of the timely renewal of residence permits and follow the procedures provided by the migration laws of Cyprus. It is better to prepare all documents for renewal in advance.
How to get a permanent residence permit in Cyprus
You can immigrate to Cyprus and get a permanent residence permit (Permanent Residence Permit) by purchasing a property worth 300,000 € or more plus VAT through the Fast Track procedure. In this case, you can obtain a permanent resident permit in just 2 months after applying.
According to the innovations of this program under the law, in addition to investments known to us, you must also meet the following conditions:
- The annual income required to obtain a permanent residence permit has been raised to 50,000 € per applicant (previously 30,000 €).
- €10,000 for each minor child (previously 5,000 €).
- €10,000 for each dependent adult child up to 25 years old.
- €15,000 for a spouse (previously 5,000 €).
- It is necessary to certify annually that the annual income remains at this level and that the applicant retains the acquired real estate or company.
- Parents of the applicant and their spouse are no longer eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit. Only the applicant’s immediate family — the marriage partner and dependent children, including adults from 18 to 25 years old- provided they are students, do not have their own family and are financially dependent on their parents.
The Minister of Interior will approve applications for investment residence permits, and each application is subject to a state fee of 500 € per applicant and 70 € per dependant. The process of obtaining the status will take 2 months.
Please note that once you and your family are granted a permanent residency in Cyprus for investment purposes, you and your family are not eligible to work for hire. However, you can own a business and be a director of your company.
Opening a bank account for Pink Slip
Legal immigration to Cyprus requires opening an account at a local bank.
To open an account in Cyprus, you need to provide the following documents:
- standard questionnaires of the selected bank;
- applicant’s identification documents: passport, proof of residence, marriage certificate (if applicable), information about the professional activity;
- documents about the sources of income: tax returns and/or other documents, depending on the individual situation;
- documents confirming the applicant’s general level of wealth: ownership of real estate, cars, deposits, etc.;
- reference letter from the bank where the applicant already has accounts;
- information on the planned turnover of accounts and geography of payments;
- a document confirming the absence of a criminal record.
How to rent and buy a house in Cyprus
Availability of housing in Cyprus is also a prerequisite for obtaining a temporary residence permit and relocation to Cyprus. For this purpose, it is necessary to enter into a long-term rental agreement for an apartment/house (1 year or more) or to purchase a home.
The first step in renting a home in Cyprus is researching the market. Familiarize yourself with the different areas and types of properties available for rent. Consider your preferences, such as proximity to the beach, transportation infrastructure, and amenities. Use online platforms, contact SPM, or talk to locals to get information on available properties.
Also, determine your rental budget and set your preferred rental terms, such as length of lease, size and type of dwelling, furnishings, and other amenities. Remember that you are usually required to pay a deposit, which is refundable at the end of the lease, and utility bills.
After determining your rental parameters, start looking at available housing options. Schedule a tour of several properties to compare them and choose the best fit. Pay attention to the condition of the property, its location, and its proximity to amenities, the city center, and the beach.
We can help you both find a home to rent and offer you a portfolio of properties to buy, taking into account personal preferences and other criteria that are important to consider when purchasing: investment appeal, reliability of the developer (if purchased), the terms of the contract and payment, etc.
Our portfolio has a unique property. We can also pick up multiple properties nearby if you are moving with friends, family, or colleagues so that you can stay close by.
How to choose a school, kindergarten or university for your child after relocating to Cyprus
Kindergartens in Cyprus:
- public (municipal) kindergartens — free, a small fee is paid only by parents whose children are under 4 years and 8 months, accept children from 4 years, short working hours (up to 13 hours), communication and education are in Greek;
- private kindergartens — more expensive, parents pay for all the needs of the child, multilingual (English and Russian), accept younger children (from 2 years, there are separate groups for infants from 1 year), longer working hours (up to 17-18 hours).
Schools in Cyprus:
- public (municipal) — free, exclusively Greek;
- private — English, Russian, and schools of some other countries.
School education is of very high quality. Some migrants move to Cyprus to give their child a good education in an English school, which here are almost half as cheap as elsewhere because Cyprus was once a British colony.
Several good universities on the island give their students a European diploma.
Our experts will help you understand which kindergarten, school, or university to choose for your child precisely according to your personal needs and territorial location.
Contact SPM for advice on moving to Cyprus and for immigration assistance. Our team has lived on the island for many years. We know all the nuances and will tell you which doctor to see, which clinic is better, where to rest, where to take the kids, and answer any other questions, helping you to adapt comfortably on the island.
Disclaimer
We, SPM team, provide our users with reliable and comprehensive information concerning buying and renting residential and commercial real estate, as well as covering variety of domestic and legal issues.
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