Moving to Cyprus
Are you looking to move your belongings to Cyprus but are not sure which removals company or service to go with? Price is likely to be a large deciding factor, but this doesn’t, nor should it, negate quality. At White & Company we strive ourselves on our ability to deliver on both fronts with much of our business generated by word of mouth, a factor we consider to be the best indicator of quality.
Whether we transport your personal belongings by sea or road, we can assure you of their safe and timely arrival. We are very proud to be members of the industry’s most prestigious regulators; BAR, FIDI and OMNI. As members of these organisations, we adhere to strict standards and regular auditing, giving you peace of mind should anything unforeseen happen.
From London to Limassol or Newcastle to Nicosia, we have the necessary expertise and skill to make your move stress-free. With competitive pricing and top of the range storage and packing solutions, our door to door removals service is hard to beat.
Survey
Our experienced surveyor will visit your home to conduct a pre-move survey to ascertain the volume of effects being shipped.
This involves him/her walking through the property room by room noting what items are to be exported and recording it on his electronic tablet.
A written quotation will follow within 48 hours.
Storage
White & Company has storage facilities at 19 storage locations throughout the UK all providing secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers.
Our trusted partners in Cyprus are also able to offer storage should you require it.
Packing
When our quotation has been accepted and a move date has been secured, the vehicle and removals team will arrive at your residence.
The removals team will proceed to pack and wrap all items being shipped and load onto vehicle for delivery to our closest depot.
Shipping
Upon arrival at your local depot all effects are transferred to the export warehouse to await loading into a 20ft or 40ft container.
The container is booked with the shipping line onto the first available vessel destined to the closest port of entry to your final destination in Cyprus.
Moving to Cyprus? Get a Quick Quote
Why Move to Cyprus?
Famed for its scorching summer temperatures and endless array of water sport activities, Cyprus, the ‘Jewel of the Mediterranean’, has long held a reputation as being an accessible island getaway for holidaymakers. The trend now appears to be moving away from short term sun lounging to long term tenancies however as an estimated 30,000 expats look to capitalise on the Cypriot way of life.
A former British Colony, Cyprus is partitioned into two sides following the Turkish invasion of the North.
Most British expats reside in the beach resort areas such as Paphos, on the Greek Cypriot side in the south, which has a sizeable expat community and is considered to be more developed, cultivated and industrialised.
Economically, expats are attracted to the low tax rates, better standard of living and cheaper house prices. There are also plenty of opportunities to engage in fun-fuelled leisure activities and water sports such as jet skiing or wreck diving.
The country has a unique Mediterranean feel with many cultural influences. The local Cypriot dialect is Greek and is most widely spoken on the island, although English is also spoken and understood by many locals, especially the younger generation.
Whilst infrastructure in Cyprus has improved considerably over the past years following the country joining the EU, expats should remember that it still operates in a very relaxed way.
It is this relaxed or ‘slow’ approach to life which can at times be the cause of frustration to many outsiders wanting to go about doing business in Cyprus.
For those willing and patient to adjust to the cultural expectations of this beautiful Mediterranean island however, you are sure to be rewarded with a warmer climate, better purchasing power and an enviable outdoor lifestyle.
Working in Cyprus
The employment of foreigners in Cyprus is overseen by the Department of Labour.
As a current member of the EU, British citizens can work in Cyprus without any restrictions, although you must apply at the Civil Registry and Migration Department for a registration certificate as soon as you find a job.
Unsurprisingly, tourism makes up the largest part of GDP in Cyprus and jobs are scarce and generally low paid.
The jobs market is also protectionist and many employers will give Cypriots priority over anyone else. Despite being a country largely proficient in English, an ability to speak Greek will also be largely advantageous to securing better paid positions.
Job opportunities also exist in the hospitality agriculture and services industry, including finance, telecommunications and IT posts.
Teaching English as a foreign language also remains a popular sector of employment for native English speakers.
In the past, lower wages were offset by a low cost of living but in the last few years the island has become a costlier place to live and wages do not reflect this increase. This said, the best method of gaining employment is via networking or securing a placement through a company back home.
Visit the following web sites for further information on working in Cyprus:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs
http://www.expatarrivals.com/cyprus/working-in-cyprus
Property
EU nationals can purchase real estate in Cyprus without any restrictions. The trend has been for expats moving to Cyprus to buy a property, rather than renting, which can be seen in the large number of British and Russian expats buying homes on the island.
You should be aware however that purchasing property in Cyprus can be a confusing business. With thousands of developments, hundreds of locations, and a myriad of property developers of varying standards to choose from, knowing which home is right for you can be difficult.
Although Cypriot laws provide outstanding protection for foreign property buyers, a handful of developers and agents still insist on misinforming their clients about laws, standards, planning regulations, and in some cases even vitally important financial information.
Ensuring you have chosen the right estate agent is therefore essential. Chatting with other expats is the best method in finding a reputable company and can help avoid any unpleasant experiences.
Properties in the ‘Greek South’ tend to be newer and more expensive than in the ‘Turkish North’. However, property across the whole island are generally cheaper and more affordable than their equivalents in most Western and Northern European countries.
As a general estimate, you can expect to pay €1604 (£1415) per square metre to purchase an apartment in a town centre and €1204 (£1062) on the outskirts.
For those looking to rent, the average monthly cost for a three-bedroom family sized home on the outskirts of town is €571 (£503), far cheaper than London and most similar properties in the rest of the UK.
The following sites have a selection of properties for sale or to rent:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/in-Cyprus.html
http://www.cyprusrealestateagent.com
http://incyprusproperty.com/
General Information
Moving to Cyprus is a thrilling opportunity, but also one that requires dedication, plenty of organisation and time to research what is available.
Travel
The main cities operate buses and taxis but there is no operational railway service and due to the terrain, public transport between towns isn’t always very accessible.
Most expats will choose to drive a car, rather than rely on public transport which can be unreliable.
Driving in Cyprus is on the left side of the road with the steering wheel usually on the right. If a foreigner wants to drive in Cyprus, they may do so using their valid International driving licence or National driving licence.
You will find that most of the road signs are familiar as they conform to EU standards. Speed restrictions are in kilometres and seat belts are mandatory. The drink driving limit is now a lot lower than in the UK and fines are heavy.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision in Cyprus is well regarded and is divided into two parts, public and private. Public healthcare is either inexpensive or free, at least for citizens of the EU, and even private healthcare costs can be relatively affordable.
Many of the doctors working in Cypriot hospitals completed their studies overseas and most speak a level of English.
Emergency medical treatment in Cyprus is free to citizens and expats alike. However, if you are going to be residing in the north of Cyprus you will need to take out private medical cover.
An assortment of private medical schemes are available to expats in Cyprus, each tailored individually based on certain criteria. The local chemists are also of good standard and usually remain open until 7pm each day.
For further information regarding healthcare, visit the following web sites:
https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad
http://www.expatarrivals.com/cyprus/healthcare-in-cyprus
Customs Information
Cyprus, like most worldwide countries has very strict importation regulations and consequences if regulations are not adhered to.
All shipments arriving from non-EU member countries are inspected by customs upon arrival. You will be requested to provide the following documents:
Original Passport
Original T2L (page 4) signed by Origin Customs (shipments from European Union (EU) countries, including Diplomats)
Packing List (inventory)
Original Bill of Lading (OBL) or Express Waybill / Air Waybill (AWB) (must show C status for EU countries)
Shipping My Effects to Cyprus
The whole moving experience can be incredibly stressful, especially so when relocating abroad. White & Company, with its 145 years of experience in the removal industry, can help make the process a lot less traumatic.
White & Company can arrange a free no obligation home survey and quotation. This will be carried out by one of our qualified surveyors, who will be able to answer any of the questions and concerns you may have and offer advice where necessary.
The purpose of the survey is to determine the volume of effects you will be shipping. The cost of shipment is based on the space your effects will take up in our vehicle if transportation is by road and in a container if being shipped by sea. Following the visit, you will receive a written quotation.
White & Company
Providing International Removals since 1871
We recommend a visit from one of our Surveyors for all International moves, so that we can assess your requirements, and the volume of goods to be moved.
Main cities in Cyprus
Famagusta
Larnaca
Limassol
Nicosia
Paphos
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