Moving to Cyprus with a disabled child
 

Hi, we are looking to relocate from the uk to Cyprus. We are a family, 2 adults and 3 kids. Our youngest, aged 5 is a full time wheelchair user who currently attends a special school in the uk.

Does anyone have any info on if there is any English speaking schools (ideally in the Paphos area but we are flexible) that would accommodate her needs.

I understand that the Cypriot education system tries to accommodate kids with special needs into their regular schools but as her needs are quite severe I think we would require a specific special needs school.

Google hasn’t been able to help with this, I’m hoping someone out there can.

Cheers

Re: Moving to Cyprus with a disabled child
 

I hate to ask this... but do you qualify for a a work/residency permit in Cyprus? Brexit happened, it killed off the possibilities for- and hopes of- 95% who thought that just upping and working abroad was still possible. May we assume that you or your spouse has a job offer that comes with a work visa before asking further? Even being allowed to reside in CY for 6 months doesn't come with the legal ability to work, because really the options post-Brexit are:

highly-skilled-visa
marrying a Cypriot or an EU citizen,
study (non-permanent visa, can't promise that allows work but would allow education for your children)
or:
pension-based golden or FIP (work-definitely-not-allowed visas).which I'm guessing that with a 5 year old, you are probably too young for?

I don't know if Cyprus offers a digital nomad scheme, and know less if your employer has agreed to it (tax issues).

If you meet the criteria for any working visa, then I really don't think you are going to find that answer you hope for regarding English-education primary or secondary schools: but perhaps your (international) employer will probably have experience of this? I hope someone proves me wrong but I believe that your realistic aims are national (Greek language) schools, which would actually be absolutely fine for your five year old to reach fluency really quickly! but depending on the age of your older children, might be more challenging language-wise. My own experience is age 8 or 9 for attaining sufficient fluency to meet the national school leaving exams. Without employer-subsidised allowance into your pay packet, English speaking schools cost $$$ per child. But only you know your circumstances, aims and possibilities :)

I really hope you find a way, because I truly understand how important it would be to your family's health to get away from the horrible northern weather. Good luck, friend. :fingerscrossed:

Re: Moving to Cyprus with a disabled child
 

Hi thanks for the response.

yes I am aware of brexit.. 😞

We are looking to go down the golden visa route, we have available funds and have a passive income stream coming in from overseas so will not need to look for employment.

The two older children are aged 10 and 8 and they will be hopefully going into an international school although we are also open to the possibility of them joining a state school providing they can pick up the language.

The main concern is getting the support that my youngest needs, she is a full time wheelchair user and has other associated serious health issues.


I am just wondering if anyone out there has experience of moving to Cyprus with a disabled child and what sort of support is available.

We are happy to pay the fees for a private education but i can’t seem to find much info on whether they will take on a disabled child.

I would love to hear from anyone out there that has moved over with a child that needs additional help.

Many thanks

Re: Moving to Cyprus with a disabled child
 

Some good advise here.
It's unfortunate and I find it a little disturbing when new forum posters fail to show any acknowledgement to those who have taken the time to respond to them. Even when the advise may not be what they expected to hear, a quick word of thanks is always rewarding.

Regarding the homeschooling of children, I assume this is allowed in Cyprus. I say this because in France one was always free of all restrictions on homeschooling. However a new law passed in 2022 decrees that the possibility of receiving instruction at home will be strictly limited. It must be officialy requested on the national public service website, and if granted, before each new school year, one must declare to the mayor of the municipality and also to the National Education Services Director The Mayor arranges for an inspection of each educated child in a family from the 1st year they are homeschooled, with the survey repeated every two years until the child is 16.
Oh yes, the French still love their bureaucracy!

Re: Moving to Cyprus with a disabled child
 

Out of interest, I googled Home-schooling in Cyprus. One result for Europe was an unofficial blog which gave out-of-date info on the situation in France, so not to be trusted for anywhere else. If interested in the idea, the OP should check the legal situation from official Government sources, and bear in mind that home-schooled children must usually follow the National Curriculum of their country of residence....
HTH if the OP is still around.....

Re: Moving to Cyprus with a disabled child
 

Tweedpipe The French may love their bureaucracy but it is driving their immigrants insane every day.