Why so many expats are choosing to live or retire on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus
Cyprus is a stunning country with a thriving expat community. But, the big question is – what is it that has drawn so many people to relocate to this beautiful island nation? Here we look at just a few of the many reasons to move to Cyprus.
The third-largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is located south of Turkey and to the southeast of Greece. It lies at the intersection between Africa, Asia and Europe and offers some of the most stunning scenery you will find anywhere. This includes miles and miles of the most fantastic beaches. It also offers unique cultural traditions and a wealth of exciting places to visit.
When it comes to moving abroad, expats from all over the world, consider Cyprus to be one of the most desirable locations there is. There is a well-established, substantial UK expat community living there.
Whether you have been to Cyprus on holiday and have been captivated by the country and its people or you have heard that it is the ideal place to move to, you probably have some questions in the back of your mind about why you should be giving a move to Cyprus some serious consideration.
Read on to discover just some of the reasons why you should move to Cyprus.
The top 10 reasons for living in Cyprus
1. The fantastic Cypriot weather
The reason so many people flock to the Mediterranean on holiday is the excellent climate, so it stands to reason that this would be a major draw for anyone considering moving there. The island of Cyprus is blessed with long summers and short mild winters.
In fact, you can expect to see the sun around 89% of the time. This beautiful weather offers people plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy their surroundings.
Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry. But you can still find snow if you head to the Troodos Mountains in the central part of island.
2. The laidback lifestyle and pace of life
While the pace of life in the UK can be somewhat frantic and rushed the same cannot be said of Cyprus, where the pace of life is far more laid back. The Mediterranean culture is very strong in this particular area, and the locals take advantage of the opportunities to take life at a slower pace.
Family and spending time together is of huge importance, and the stores close early to help make this a possibility. This laid back approach extends to getting things done where there is often little sense of urgency. So, whilst this may seem a somewhat alien concept to begin with, it is something you will quickly get used to as you adapt to life on the island.
3. Few crowds and plenty of space
If you are moving to escape the hustle and bustle of the big cities, then Cyprus’s somewhat sparse population can be a real draw.
The total population of Cyprus is around 850,000, and with around three quarters of those inhabitants living in the five main residential areas, it’s easy to see that despite the small size of the island, there is in fact quite a lot of room.
4. English is widely spoken
It may be surprising to learn that the majority of people in Cyprus speak English. Language barriers are often the main concern for people when thinking about moving abroad. Prior to Cyprus gaining independence in 1960, it was a British Colony for over 80 years, so most of the people who live there speak English.
In fact, English is routinely used in every aspect of society on the island at quite high conversational levels. Having said all that, learning some of the local Greek language will certainly get you on the right side of your neighbours.
5. Fantastic standards of education
The quality of education on the island is extremely high, and there are several international schools. There are, of course, the fees to take into consideration as these schools are privately run. However, the high levels of academic excellence more than speak for themselves.
Your children will not only have the advantage of a good education but also the benefit of growing up in an international culture. This is a cost that many expat families are happy to look at when considering relocation.
6. Plenty of fresh air with low pollution levels
With people becoming more aware of pollution and the effect that it can have on health; moving to an area, or country, with lower pollution rates can be high on the list of reasons for relocating.
There is little heavy industry in Cyprus; so the air, land and water do not contain industrial pollution. The air will feel cleaner and those people who have breathing issues such as asthma may in fact find their symptoms reduce. Cyprus is, however, subject to the occasional dust storms, but these occur mainly in the spring.
7. Peaceful society with low crime rates
Cyprus is a very safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. This is a huge draw for professionals and young families looking for a safer country to relocate to.
Whilst some crimes do go unreported, these are of the petty theft variety between neighbours and are dealt with relatively amicably without the need to involve the police. Reported incidents of violent crime are very low on the island.
8. The low cost of living
Compared to the UK and other locations in Europe, the cost of living on Cyprus is much lower.
So, those who move to Cyprus, especially if they have sold property in the UK in order to move, can expect to enjoy an excellent standard of living on a somewhat modest budget, whilst still being able to save for the future.
9. Advantageous tax rates
Income tax rates on Cyprus are low in comparison to those of other countries in Europe. In addition, there is limited capital gains tax, low corporation taxes and no inheritance tax. This is excellent news for anyone hoping to relocate no matter whether to work or for retirement.
10. Many employment and work opportunities
These low tax rates mean that in recent years several larger international companies have chosen to make Cyprus a base for their business. This has provided a healthy number of job opportunities for those expats relocating to Cyprus.
The business friendly environment and large expat community mean that many expats have started thriving businesses in diverse industries such as construction, plumbing, tourism
The many other advantages and benefits of living in Cyprus
Of course, these are just 10 of the reasons that you should consider moving to Cyprus there are of course so many more great reasons to put it on your list.
11. Quality public healthcare
The public healthcare services in Cyprus are excellent; meeting and often exceeding international standards. Permanent residents can access free basic medical care via the National Healthcare System, and emergency treatment in public hospitals is free to all.
12. Excellent private healthcare
As one of the best private healthcare sectors in Europe, Cyprus is a popular healthcare destination. The majority of those who work in the private healthcare sector speak fluent English. They have either studied, lived or worked in the UK.
13. Transportation infrastructure
Whilst there is no railway system in Cyprus, there is a new and modern public bus transport system that connect rural areas to all the cities. It is an easy way to access the entire island. The mainland is linked to the island by harbours and airports.
14. People drive on the left side of the road
Due to its UK heritage, Cyprus is right hand drive (on the left side of the road) with familiar traffic rules which makes it easy for UK migrants to adjust to the road conditions. Also shipping your car from the UK to Cyprus is a simple and cost-effective process with many expats doing so every year.
15. Stunning beaches
Cyprus is home to some stunning beaches, and thanks to the work-life balance that is so important to Cypriots, there is plenty of time set aside to enjoy what the area has to offer. Of course, the short distance from home plays a huge factor in this as well.
So no matter whether it’s the golden sands of Fig Tree Bay, the magical sea coves at Coral Bay or the vivid turquoise waters of Blue Lagoon Akamas, you’ll always be spoilt for choice.
16. First rate communication network
There is an excellent telecommunication and internet structure in Cyprus, and with the recent influx of international businesses relocating to the island, this is only set to get better. You can therefore access fast broadband in most parts of the island.
- Property Prices
Property prices in Cyprus are very reasonable, and the government offering incentives to people who buy properties over the price of £264,000. These buyers can get residency which means that the property market in Cyprus has really picked up in the last couple of years. Visit the
In fact, prices fell by as much as 50 per cent between 2010 and 2015 and so there are still many great bargains to be had – but you had better not delay as many people are catching onto the benefits of living in Cyprus!
18. Tasty local produce
The Cypriots indulge in a typical Mediterranean diet. Local markets are a popular sight all over the island, and there is a fantastic variety of fresh and local produce available.
Being an island, there is also plenty of fresh fish to be had, and ingredients tend to be seasonal, so fresh and very healthy.
19. Child-friendly
The Cypriots are very family orientated, and, as such, the island, on the whole, is very family-friendly. While you may not always find children’s menus in restaurants, Cypriots will go out of their way to make children feel welcome in any setting.
20. It’s easy to make the move!
With so many people choosing to move from the UK to Cyprus every year, it’s good to know that there are so many cost effective services in place to make the move easier. No matter whether it’s financial advice, property purchasing, car shipping, house removals or shipping your belongings to Cyprus, it’s good to know that you’ll be assisted every step of the way.
21. Incredible history
Cyprus has a rich and incredibly diverse history which can be traced back thousands of years. With the oldest known settlements dating back to between 6000 and 9000 years ago, the island has so much to teach.
Cyprus has been owned by many other countries over the years and more recently was a colony of the British Empire. These are all events that have added to its rich tapestry and make it a country worth exploring.
22. Tomb of the Kings
This UNESCO World Heritage Site just a few kilometres north of Paphos harbour offers a unique look at some of the most stunning ancient architecture the island has to offer. Interestingly enough, no kings were ever buried at this large necropolis.
23. Stunning natural scenery
Boasting so many rural areas, the island of Cyprus offers some truly spectacular natural scenery for those who are willing to explore in order to find it.
24. Large expat community
Moving to another country can be difficult, and many people struggle to begin with when faced with a completely different lifestyle.
Being a part of an expat community can certainly help to ease any of those early struggles you might encounter in your first few months in your new home. Having others who have been through it all before means you have someone to point you in the right direction.
25. An abundance of watersport opportunities
Surrounded by water, Cyprus is a great place to take up water sports. There are so many to choose from, and so many truly spectacular locations that you really will be spoilt for choice.
Popular options include scuba diving, wind surfing, jet skiing, banana & tube rides, wakeboarding and more.
26. One of the longest life expectancies in Europe
Life expectancy in Cyprus is very good with men and women ranking third and fifth respectively in comparison to people in other EU member states. What’s more, it’s increased by 3 years in the last decade and is still getting better.
Whether it is the laid-back attitude to life, the lower levels of pollution or the ready availability of all that fresh in-season fruit and vegetables, quality of healthcare – or even a combination of all of these, we are not sure, but it’s good to know that if you move to Cyprus you’ll likely live longer to enjoy it!
27. Living in a popular holiday destination
While you might miss your family back in the UK, moving to such a popular holiday destination means that they should find it relatively easy to come and visit you. And Cyprus certainly is a destination worth visiting so you may find yourself very popular when the holiday season comes around!
28. Rental properties are inexpensive
If you are not looking to buy a property then don’t worry, the rental market in Cyprus is very healthy, and properties are overall inexpensive. Of course, if you are looking for something in the more populated touristy areas then you will be looking at much higher rentals.
Check out this video for more reasons why you should live in and not just visit Cyprus!
Are you ready to make the move?
So, there you go. Cyprus is a truly incredible destination for those who are looking to move and could certainly be far more than a holiday destination for any family, retired couple or even young professional looking for a completely different outlook on life.
If the stresses of life are getting to you, then the laid-back lifestyle of this stunning island could be just what you need. And with a well-established expat community on hand to guide you through the early complexities of a completely different lifestyle, there will be nothing to stop you settling in.
For more information about moving to Cyprus visit our removals to Cyprus page which will answer all your questions about the removals process.
If you would like a quote for moving to Cyprus or have any questions, then get in touch with us here at PSS and we’ll be happy to help.
