IngaC

Hello Everyone

I'm a British expat currently living in Northern California and am looking into moving to Cyprus in two years’ time. I'd appreciate advice on how best to do so - especially with Brexit looming around the corner.

I'm of retirement age but plan to keep working as a freelance writer (remote, internet-based) - although I’d like to be able to take on local assignments - should these should arise.

Could anyone point me in the right direction about which visas and other paperwork will be required and also suggest which parts of Cyprus would be good places to live, please?

I don’t have a problem with heat and, in fact prefer it to cold weather.

I look forward to receiving advice & any constructive suggestions.

Thank you,

Inga Brereton

scot47

Which part of Cyprus ? Greek or Turkish ?

IngaC

Hello Scot47

Thank you for your response. As things stand currently, probably the Greek side - although I'm open. All depends on what I dig out as part of my 'due diligence'...

BritInParis

With the current transitional arrangements in place you should be able to move to the Republic of Cyprus as an EU citizen until the end of 2020. However should the negotiations go sideways then that cannot be guaranteed. The Republic of Cyprus offers both permanent residence and citizenship programs through investment although this would represent a significant financial outlay on your part.

HMG has a collection of information about living in Cyprus as it currently stands for British citizens.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-cyprus

IngaC

Thank you both - Sunstech & BritInParis - for your responses and for the UK government link; greatly appreciated.

Johnboyuk

This is the latest news on moving to Cyprus post-Brexit:

UK nationals' residency rights post-Brexit - Cyprus Property News

Jamesdad

Keep an open mind on which side to move to. You will get a very much nicer property in the north; better value for money. It is so straightforward to cross to the south if you feel the need for a McDs or visit Ikea. From Kyrenia it is only 35 mins to the nearest crossing point. The north is less spoilt (although they are trying to ruin it with Casinos and associated issues)

IngaC

Hello Jamesdad

Thank you for your e-mail.

I'm most certainly prepared to keep an open mind. However, do the Turks have restrictions regarding animals? I'm planning to bring my much-loved moggie with me and understand that she'll need to be both micro-chipped and given a rabies shot for the Greek side.. Are the vets on the Turkish side any good? Luckily, from my time in Turkey, I know that many Turkish people actually like cats.

What about banks, visas, work permits on the Turkish side? Could I move to the Greek side first and then, having explored, move to the north of the island if I choose to do so?

Decisions, decisions...

Cheers,

Inga

Jamesdad

Inga, Importing animals to TRNC you have two choices; via Istanbul to Ercan or from the south. The animal welfare lady in the north will arrange a vet you meet you at the Green line to do the paperwork. We are in the process of arranging this for our dog at the moment. So, you could rent in the south temporarily and then explore and decide. You cannot do the opposite with animals though as far as I understand (the Greek Cyps will not allow an animal back over the green line). Utter nonsense, since both parts of the island have the same rules for jabs, chips etc. Vets are fine in the north and south. As with Chemists you will find many Vets who are London Turk Cyps who have moved back to Cyprus and so finding native English speaking Vets is common.

Plenty of banks in the north including HSBC. Work permit rules are normal; you need a job offer and mostly the employer helps arrange. Housing much cheaper in the north!

Thairetired2016

And medical insurance in the north?

Jamesdad

Medical insurance is not an issue. TRNC is treated as a normal country by medical insurers as far as i can see. I have claimed off an international policy while there.

IngaC

Dear AnnaLeea

Not as yet; still doing my 'due diligence'.. Any recommendations?

Thank you,

Inga

cermignano

Britain and Cyprus have been having talks about mutual arrangements. See if there is anything on .gov/living in Cyprus.