So, you have decided to move to another country - the island of Cyprus. For six months, a year or forever... In any case, you will need to go through all the stages of packing. The most basic things (get a passport and visa, buy a plane ticket) we will not consider. But something really important, but not the most obvious, is worth highlighting.

Learn the language

The language situation in Cyprus is very interesting. There are two official languages here: Greek and English. You don't need to learn both languages at first - an intermediate level of English will suffice.

Hint: most likely, you will plan your move to Cyprus in advance, at least six months to a year. During this time, if you want to, you can learn English from scratch to level B2.

Greek is a bit more difficult. The alphabet is unfamiliar, the grammar is quite difficult, plus the complicating fact - in Cyprus they use not the classical New Greek, but the local dialect. Therefore, it is best to learn the language with a Cypriot native speaker. You should either take online lessons or join in already in Cyprus - many people do so, because it is much easier and more pleasant to learn a new language in a Greek-speaking environment.

Pack personal belongings

Some people tend to move "with one backpack", and they are somewhat right. It's much more comfortable to bring basic personal items with you, though. They only need to be shipped once by a shipping company, whereas running around and buying them in a new place will have to be done more than once and for more than a month. This can be stressful, especially if you haven't settled in yet and don't have a good command of the language.

What is definitely worth taking with you:

Clothes. All sets for all occasions - from a swimsuit to a down jacket. Yes, a down jacket in Cyprus will also come in handy: if you go to the mountains in winter (and you will one day), there will be snow.
Small household appliances of high necessity. These include laptops and hair dryers - if you use them every day.
Medicines. Of course, in Cyprus you can easily buy everything you need - but for the first time, it is better to have a familiar first aid kit at hand.

You definitely shouldn't bring dishes, kitchen appliances and housewares. If you plan to buy real estate in Cyprus and move a maximum of things from the old housing - it is better to plan two stages of transportation. The first batch will go at the same time with you, and the second - when you have already made the purchase.

Be sure to find a good moving company. Relocation chat rooms will give you not only their contacts but also honest, live reviews of each mover. Take away everything you need in hand luggage and luggage are only able to a few - so do not count on this option only if you are not ready for an ascetic move.

Decide on a location

Of course, ideally, before moving, you should visit every neighborhood in Cyprus and figure out where you like it best. But not everyone and not always has such an opportunity. Therefore, you will have to solve this issue remotely.

Most of those who have already moved will recommend Limassol - and in some ways they will be right. This is a large, lively city (not to be confused with a metropolis, but in Cyprus it has about the same meaning) with a developed infrastructure and everything necessary for life. Here you can find a job, open your own business and not even speak a foreign language (see point 1). There are a lot of our compatriots here, so you can get yourself a company, a hangout to your liking.

However, do not dismiss other cities: Paphos and Larnaca. They are smaller than Limassol, but also have their advantages: at least, there is cheaper real estate. Nicosia is good for everything, except for the lack of sea nearby.

Villages should be considered by those who dream of a quiet country life with the whole family. Keep in mind that many city dwellers dream of living among the peaceful singing of birds closer to nature - but not always reality and dreams coincide. Some people get too bored, so you should evaluate your needs in advance and try to understand whether you can live after the metropolis (especially Moscow) in a quiet Cypriot village.

Ensure financial freedom

There is no point in describing this point in detail - everyone understands that it is simply unrealistic to go to live in another country without money. Such an extreme is possible only for very young people who are not burdened with any obligations. In all other cases, it is worth thinking about the plan ahead.

There are three most reasonable options:

Financial safety cushion. For many people, this is the only option. How do you calculate the size of the financial cushion? Very simple: it should be enough for about six months, and it is desirable that a month was not a subsistence minimum, but a comfortable amount.
An existing business or remote work. Financing from abroad is not only a way to live peacefully in Cyprus but also a reason to obtain a permit to stay in the country. So this option can kill two birds at once. But here you need to think over the scheme of transferring money to Cyprus: in the current situation, it is not so easy. It is necessary to lay down some percentage of "losses" during currency conversion and transfer at least.
Getting a Cypriot job. It means that you remotely find a vacancy in Cyprus and get a job. This immediately gives you the right to obtain a residence permit and financial stability - your salary will be issued in the local currency, that is, in euros, which is very convenient.

If you realize the scheme with a financial cushion - be sure to think about where and how you will look for work in Cyprus. It is not as easy as it may seem, besides it might take a lot of time. It is better if along with the "cushion" you will have at least some part-time work, even remote - it will give you confidence in the future.

Prepare your pet

When moving, few people dare to leave a pet, since he is considered a full-fledged member of the family. It's not very difficult to pack him on the road, but it will take a lot of time - and there are a number of reasons for this. So it's worth starting the preparation six months in advance - or even earlier.

A cat or dog must be chipped. This procedure is simple, painless and inexpensive. It is better to perform it in the very first place.

The animal must be vaccinated against viral diseases, including rabies. If you have not previously vaccinated him, you will need two vaccinations a month apart (the second shot - for consolidation), and then endure a month of quarantine. Two weeks before the first vaccination, the pet is wormed. In total, it is necessary to lay at least 2.5 months for vaccination.

There is another difficulty: the situation with rabies, and it is constantly changing.

Hint: if the animal is purebred, you need to take a document confirming the ownership of the animal. This can be a contract of sale, drawn up when taking the puppy, or a certificate from the breed club of your city.

It is also worth taking care of buying a seat on the airplane, a carrier, and other small things that are also important. You can read more about how to transport a cat or dog to Cyprus in our separate article.

Renting a property for the first time

The easiest thing to do in the current situation is to rent a hotel room for 1-2 weeks, and then rent an apartment or house during this time. Another option is to contact a real estate agency, such as DOM, that can help you rent a home remotely. You will be given an online showing and a contract will be drawn up - you will only have to sign it when you arrive.

Tip: Do not rush into buying a home without getting to know all the neighborhoods of Cyprus. One location can be very different from another, so it is better to take more time to get acquainted with the island.

Collect documents and certificates

In addition to all personal documents (passports, birth certificates, ownership of movable and immovable property, military ID, education diploma), it is necessary to take additional papers that will be needed in different situations.

The first thing you should do is to get an international driver's license. In Cyprus it is hard without a car, so this document will greatly facilitate your life. You can order it at the traffic police or through the Gosuslugi website.

Second - take care of all the documents that may be useful in obtaining a temporary residence permit or permanent residence permit. This is a certificate of criminal record, bank statements and proof of income from abroad - and much more. For those who are going to open or relocate their business, you will need a full package of documents for it.

Hint: be sure to specify which documents and copies require notarization or apostille. Also be prepared that some papers will need to be translated already in Cyprus.

Even old documents may be needed at the most unexpected moment. Therefore, take absolutely everything - they will not take up much space, but they will help you in a non-standard situation.

Make an action plan

Finally, the most important thing is to schedule all actions on time. Moving is usually planned in advance, so it always seems that there is enough time, but closer to the case it turns out that it is catastrophically short.

From the author: When I moved, I made a written plan six months in advance. My main fear was moving my three cats, so I focused on that endeavor as much as possible. I ended up missing some important things (like unregistering from my mom's apartment) and doing it 3 days before my flight. This had a big impact on my psychological state - now I realize that everything could have been done on time and I felt much more comfortable.

If there are several people in your family, schedule tasks and deadlines for everyone. This will make packing easier, and you'll also be able to see where you've already ticked off and what's already been done.

Many people are helped not just by a list, but by a beautifully visualized scheme. It can be printed on a large poster, drawn by hand and or made in the form of a collage - the main thing that it was clear and visual.

Interested in housing on the island? Check out DOM, the #1 real estate agency in Cyprus! The agency's website has the largest real estate database in the country - more than 30 thousand residential and commercial properties all over the island. Select and contact professional brokers who will help you make the right choice!

Read also:

Source: DOM

Photos: Flickr, DOM

Interested in property on the island? Check out the number one real estate agency in Cyprus, DOM! The website features the largest database of real estate in the country – over 100,000 residential and commercial properties across the entire island. Choose and consult with professional brokers who will help you make the right choice!

Irina Zholnirova