Tourists from different countries are very fond of Cyprus, but the non-Europeans have special feelings for it. The island has become a second home for them as there are many Russian-speaking residents who call Cyprus their newfound homeland. Why is it so good in Cyprus?
1. Why do foreigners like Cyprus so much?
Many compatriots first come to the island on vacation and after it they dream of moving here to live. There are many compelling reasons for this.
1.1. Climate and ecology
Let's take a look at north countries. The climate is harsh here, they have long and cold winters, rainy autumn, hot summers, and don't have the sea. Therefore, for most northerners, winter without freezing temperatures and the proximity of a warm sea is one huge plus that outweighs all the minuses. You can swim here from April to November! And some hardened people do not take breaks for the winter at all, since they do not consider the +17 degrees water to be cold.
Another argument is excellent ecology. There is only one production plant in Cyprus - a cement plant. And even it does not pollute the environment. The sea is very clean, despite the fact that there is a port in every major city.
The air is fresh all year round and there are no emissions. Radioactive waste is not buried in the ground, and industrial waste is not dumped into rivers. And due to their frequent presence in the fresh sea air, adults and children get sick less often.
Trees and shrubs bloom and bear fruit all year round in Cyprus. You can grow your own or you can just buy ready-made vegetables and fruits on the market. Local fruits and vegetables are very cheap.
1.2. Residence in an EU country
Cyprus became a member state of the European Union relatively recently, in 2004. And of course, the mentality of the Cypriots is somewhat different than that of the Europeans. But this does not mean that the country is not at 'the European level'. Rather, the state is trying to do everything to integrate EU quality standards into the life of the islanders.
The European authorities make sure that the countries that are members of the union observe all the accepted "decency".
Therefore, there have been many improvements in Cyprus:
- There was a desire to protect the environment and nature.
- Patriarchal system has practically disappeared as women on the island can work and go to cafes on an equal basis with men (however, there are several facilities where only men can still enter).
- A number of amendments were adopted to the legislation that raised the country to a new level and the rate of corruption and political chaos decreased.
- Healthcare and education are at a good level.
- There is a proper quality control over the products that are produced in Cyprus.
- The economy picked up as the island authorities managed to attract many investors.
You can list the improvements for a long time and even longer, what has yet to be done. But in any case, Cyprus is an actively developing European country.
1.3. Acceptable prices
Unlike other warm European countries such as Spain, Italy and even Malta, Cyprus has democratic prices for goods, products, services and real estate. And this becomes very important for those who are going to live on the island, earning income in their homeland.
For example, it is quite possible to sell an apartment in a large city in your homeland and buy housing in Cyprus. Some foreigners act differently: they rent out several apartments in their homeland and rent an apartment or a house in Cyprus.
Another option is to receive passive income from bank deposits or work remotely for a Russian firm. Income of €1200 is enough for a modest life in Cyprus, the normal amount is considered to be a monthly salary of €1500-2000 per person. Moreover, high-quality food is inexpensive, the main expense item is still real estate and utility bills.
For other European countries, this income is very small, but in Cyprus you can live with dignity on this money.
1.4. Easy obtaining a visa and residence permit in Cyprus
For those who are going to live in Cyprus for a short amount of time, a tourist visa is enough. With the tourist visa, you can stay in Cyprus for a total of no more than 90 days in half a year. For those who want to spend only part of their life on the island, this option is quite suitable.
A residence permit in Cyprus can be obtained on several grounds: for work, study, property ownership. The residence permit is renewed annually, and later you can get permanent residence. By the way: permanent residence is also issued for investments of over 300,000 euros in Cyprus real estate.
1.5. Numerous compatriots
Finally, the presence of the "native spirit" in a foreign country always gives some kind of inexplicable relief. The foreign diasporas in Cyprus are quite numerous, so it is much easier to 'join the society'.
2. How can a Russian get a residence permit and permanent residence in Cyprus
Temporary residence permit is often called a pink slip, because it used to be a document on pink paper. Now it looks different, but the word "pink-slip" is still in use.
Residence permit in Cyprus can be obtained on several grounds:
- having officially got a job in a Cypriot company
- having arrived to study at a Cypriot university
- buying real estate and proving financial independence
- opening a business on the island and thereby creating additional jobs.
The easiest way is to buy a property in Cyprus. When purchasing one or more properties in the amount of € 300,000, the applicant can apply for permanent residence for themself and their relatives.
For this you need:
- Buy real estate (new building) for € 300,000 or more without mortgage, and pay for it at least € 200,000 in advance.
- Funds for the purchase of housing come from outside Cyprus.
- Deposit € 30,000 into a bank account without ability to withdraw them for 3 years.
- Ensure the required level of income for yourself and your family: at least € 30,000 for the applicant, € 5,000 for a spouse and for each child, and € 8,000 for each parent.
The procedure takes 2 to 6 months, and this is a very short time. In many countries, it takes years to obtain permanent residence.
You can read the full description of obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus here.
3. What can unpleasantly surprise a foreigner in Cyprus
Some foreigners, after living in Cyprus for several years, go back to their homeland. Why is this happening?
This is because there are no ideal places to live. There are disadvantages everywhere and we cannot remain silent about them.
Here is a small list of common Cyprus disadvantages:
- Lack of heating. In general, winter is warm, on average + 8-10 degrees. But Cypriot apartments do not have centralized heating systems! Therefore, people use air conditioners and heaters to heat at least one room - a bedroom at night - in order to feel relatively comfortable.
Only wealthy people can afford to heat the whole apartment with electrical appliances around the clock. To constantly maintain a temperature above +20 degrees in a two-room apartment, you have to pay € 1000- € 1500. But people save as much as they can, and in winter the average family's electricity bill reaches € 300- € 500. Of course, in private homes, central heating is installed for the whole house, running on kerosene, diesel or gas. You can heat the water for the bath using them.
2. Little fresh water. The climate in Cyprus is arid, and there are several rivers that dry up in summer. There are no lakes, but people have built reservoirs in which rainwater is accumulated. In coastal cities, desalinated sea water is supplied to the apartments, the quality of which must be accustomed to as it is too hard to drink. Yes, all drinking water needs to be bought or a filter should be installed at home.
3. Expensive housing and communal services. Water, electricity, gas are all in short supply on a small island.
4. Unfamiliar language. A lot of people speak English, but not all. Then it's better to you to start learning Greek.
5. The difference in the mentality of Cypriots and northerners. Southerners are very different from northerners. Locals are calm and slow. They are used to enjoying a measured life. Have lunch for 2-3 hours. They raise their children differently, they drive cars differently, they look at everyday values differently. Some newcomers quickly get used to it, while others still have a rejection of the local way of life.
6. Undeveloped cultural life. Some foreigners leave the island because they get bored. Indeed, the population of Limassol is 250 thousand people, Nicosia - 400 people (a big part is in the Turkish Cypriot part). Thus the number and level of entertainment venues is not the same as in the usual metropolitan areas. There are restaurants, bars, art galleries, theaters, cinemas, historical sites... But there are not many to have fun every day.
This is not the most complete list of what a foreigner may not like in Cyprus. Each of the immigrants living on the island for a long time can add more things to this list.
But in general, Cyprus is a very hospitable, clean and beautiful island, where many foreigners dream to live. Northerners love Cyprus and speak positively about it in most cases, because it is a truly colorful place.
Dreaming of moving to a fabulous island? Contact DOM real estate agency in Cyprus. The company's specialists can help you to select real estate for rent or purchase, as well as support the transaction. Follow the link.
Read more:
- Permanent residence permit in Cyprus (link)
- How much money do you need to live in Cyprus with kids (link)
- Common expenses in Cyprus (link)
- How to set up a company in Cyprus, if you are non-EU citizen? (link)
- Cyprus cuisine (link)
- Moving to Cyprus: a cheap and easy way to move your stuff (link)
- Guide for property buyers in Cyprus (link)
