Dyfi

We are considering moving back out to Cyprus to live permanently in the next couple of years, after selling our business (we lived there from 1997 to 2000). We also intend to buy a property in either Pissouri or Paphos next year before moving out.
There are a couple of questions that I would like to ask, the planning is still very much in the embryonic stage at the moment.
1. What would be a survivable amount of income per month to live on? I’m planning on just relaxing with gardening, hillwalking, photography and normal socialising (nothing too exciting).
2. Which location would you consider the best area to buy? I liked Paphos when we were out there, however we could escape the hussle and bussle of the tourists back on the the quite part of the island were we lived previously. Pissouri was still relatively undeveloped as a tourist destination when we were out there, and by reading the forums seems to be a better place to live. What is your opinion?
3. Do you have any recommendations on estate agents? Is the property market starting to move again, or still fairly static?
4. Import a car or buy locally?

I hope you can help.

Laura69

Everything is more expensive here, and most likely more expensive than in 2000 when you left. Consider that we are a family of 4 and we spend about 100 euros per week in food. Then there are all the bills for the house - water, electricity (which can be a lot of you plan to use A/C frequently) and the fuel for the winter if you have central heating (we usually spend about 250-300 euros per year).
Car insurance for an average car is about 260-300 euros, plus road tax, but consider that cars are much more expensive than in the UK for both used and new (at least 2000 euros on average from my own experience). Unless you have a particularly good car that you want to keep, I don't think it makes sense to pay for transport and import duty, which is an extortionate amount.
Then there is the issue of health insurance. Often people working here have private health insurance as part of their job contract but you will have to investigate.
All in all, I would factor in at least 1500 euros for two, 2000 for 4. Shoes and clothes also cost more.
Regarding the best area to live, it is up to what you want to do day in-day out. If you like hillwalking, why not choosing something on Troodos? We live in Nicosia and often we talk about how much nicer it would be to live closer to the beach because we could go practically every day with the children.

themajor

There is a whole bundle of all the info that your seeking on another web site-(expat forum for people moving overseas) I have not put the actual web site as I believe it would be banned on here.

Dyfi

Thanks both. After reading quite a few comments on various expat sites, I think we will rent first and then buy.
Do you have any recommendations or agency sites that advertise long term lets? A Google search brings up a few, but there not very well laid out or link to estate agencies that only sell properties. Last time we lived in Cyprus we were in married quarters and didn’t really take too much notice of the local property market, unfortunately!
Cost of living looks far cheaper than that of the UK at the moment. We also have a reasonably new car and had thought of driving out via Brindisi, I’ve done this in the past to other countries and it was great fun. However, new cars out there were cheaper, even with tax, is this still not the case?

themajor

Info for you; Cars are expensive here so yes bring your own if you have owned it more than six months. A rental agency who we went through is called SMARTRENTZ Smart Rentz, Paphos - Rental Property in Cyprus - Cyprus Rental Property emaail [email protected]
We love where we live in Chloraka in 2 bed apt with great sea views. It is a lot cheaper to live here than in the Uk. That is taking everything into consideration ie rates,rent electric,food, insurance etc.

Laura69

But if Dyfi brings their car here, they will only qualify to import it duty-free if they are then going to take it out again. If the move is permanent, they will be unable to sell it and when they have to scrap it, they will have to pay the taxes that are due... at least this is what I know.
We were thinking of importing a car from the UK but between transport and duties we were looking at more than 3000 euros... It didn't make sense.
Anyway, the best way to check is by using the calculator that can be found online to have an idea and if the import duty is reasonable, then it would be very wise to check with the Cypriot equivalent of the DVLA or the Ministry.
The only benefit is in owning a car that she knows, because used cars are very hit and miss in my experience.

Dyfi

Cheers for the advice, I've not found the Smartrentz website before, it's better than the rest I've seen, many thanks. The advice on the importation of a vehicle looks encouraging, I'll have to look a lot closer at the rules of importation and associated tax.

themajor

I feel sure that this will give you some usefull insight. This was done not by me but by a friend recently.



Default Importing and registering a car from UK to Cyprus I thought it may be useful to post the procedure for importing and registering a car from UK to Cyprus for those considering it. I have to say that every interaction I had with Cypriot officialdom was nothing short of extremely polite and helpful. I cannot relate to many expats who complain of the Cypriot attitudes, and suspect that this may be a reflection of the attitude given by the expat in the first place. Remember, for example, that when dealing with the Cypriot Civil Service, that you need to show respect by the way you dress ie shorts and flip flops are not de rigueur in Govt offices!

When our removals survey was done in the UK, we were told that our furniture would not fit into a 20ft container, so we either had to reduce our load, or hire a 40ft container. The 40ft container would also accommodate our car within it, and the difference in cost was around £1,500. We therefore chose to do this. We used Peter Morton as our Cyprus removals agent, and the container - with car inside - was delivered direct to our new home on 3 Nov 14.

However, before delivery, we were required to ensure that we had Cypriot car insurance. We decided to get this from Abbeygate Insurance. They accepted our Direct Line proof of no claims discount, and used the chassis number to issue the insurance certificate. We also had to personally clear customs at the port of entry (Limassol) with Peter Morton agents present. The paperwork needed by Customs was the Cypriot insurance certificate, UK Registration (V5), driving licence and passport. There was nothing to pay at this stage and the total time required here was around 30 mins. A C104 was issued allowing use of the car for 3 months before exercising one of 2 options:

A. Extend for another 3 months via customs & excise (new C104 issued).

B. Register the vehicle. This gives 2 further options - import as personal property with no duty to pay or pay import duty. If you import as personal property, you will still pay a minimum duty of €24.96 but cannot sell or otherwise dispose of your car until the proper import duty is paid.

To register the car:

1. Go to Dept of Transport (for Paphos, this is located in the industrial estate on the Polis/Mesogi Rd opposite the Sports Direct shop). You require your passport and UK Registration (V5). At DoT, you must first register at the front desk. You will require passport and address in Cyprus. They will issue a Driver Registration Number (you need this for all future dealings with the DoT). After issue of the Driver number, go past the reception desk to the last office on the right of the corridor. In this office, present your driver registration number (he can now find your record on his computer) and UK Registration (V5). He will capture all details and issue 2 copies of the emissions certificate. There is no payment at this stage. Total time required at DoT on this visit is around 20 mins.

2. Take all paperwork to the customs clearing agent, which is located in Ypolochagou Rd Paphos (right beside the Govt Buildings). They will issue more paperwork including a C1002 required by customs. There is a €52 fee levied by the customs agent including €2 for revenue stamps for the C1002. Total time required here is 20 mins.

3. Take all paperwork to customs and excise. This is located on the first floor of building E at Paphos Govt offices (opposite Bank of Cyprus) on Neofytou Nikolaidi Road in Paphos. They will retain one copy of the emissions certificate and levy the relevant import tax (for a car up to 120g emissions, the duty is the minimum payable - €24.96). Customs will then issue a C72 to certify that the relevant duty has been paid. Total time required here is 20 mins.

4. Take car for MoT at any authorised garage. They will use the engine/chassis number on the MoT certificate. Cost of MoT is €35 and time will be 45 mins to 1 hour.

5. Return to DoT with customs duty paid certificate (V72), UK Registration (V5), emissions certificate, proof of insurance, MoT certificate and 2 x Revenue Stamps for €1.71 each (available from the Post Office). For a saloon car, you will need to drive into the middle bay at the side of the DoT building where they will check engine/chassis number and all measurements against the UK Registration document (V5). They will then complete a form (note: if you are married, it is advisable to have the car registered in both names to save any problems should anything happen to one of you). Once complete, take all paperwork to the front reception desk. Here, you will be issued with your Cyprus Registration Document (cost is €150) and you have a choice of paying either 6 months or 1 year road tax. For a 120g emissions car, the 1 year road tax cost €70. Set aside around 1 hour for this visit to the DoT.

6. Take the Cyprus Registration document to an authorised Number Plate outlet. In Paphos, this is located on Leoforos Apostolou Pavlou (near the top of the hill of the Kato Paphos Rd). They will make and fit the number plate to your car. Cost €30. Time to set aside - around 15 mins.

7. Return to the insurance agent for issue of a new certificate with the Cyprus Reg No on it.

Simples!

PS. The quoted fee of a well known red tape company here for this was €200 which would not have negated any of the costs or procedures listed above

Dyfi

Brilliant, nothing has really changed. There were a few horror stories out there which had made me think twice about importing our car. I used to run the MT Control at Akrotiri and never had any problems with the Cypriot Civil Service, more often than not they were always very helpful.