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Cyprus is a beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea that attracts thousands of tourists in summer and people who would like to live in this magical place all year round.
This article is for those people who not only wish they could live in Cyprus but also are about to move there permanently. Moving for a long time to a new place is not as easy as going on holiday; thorough research about the everyday living conditions of the place you want to move to and about all the official documents and procedures that you need to complete in order to enter and relocate to the country legally needs to be conducted.
Are you ready to learn about the basic things that you need to be aware of before moving to Cyprus?
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4 Things that you need to be aware of before moving to Cyprus
Visa
People who are from countries that belong to the European Union (EU) or the European Free Trade Association (ETFA) do not need to apply for a visa, and they can stay in the country for as long as they like.
People from the rest of the world who plan to stay in the country for longer than 90 days must apply for a visa depending on the reason for their travel to Cyprus. They should apply for the appropriate visa at least 6 months before their arrival to Cyprus.
Renting a House
The most popular option when you first move to Cyprus is to rent a house, if you want to save some money, there is the option of sharing a flat and its expenses with roommates. You can find advertisements for rented houses and flats online. You should know that when a real estate agent is involved, they will require a fee. You will notice that unfurnished properties are cheaper. If you are a European citizen, it may be profitable to just ship your furniture from your previous home to your new one. Otherwise, there is an IKEA factory and many other furniture and decoration shops where you can buy anything you need.
Work Permit
People who come from countries that are not in the EU or in the ETFA have to apply for a work permit, then for a work visa and lastly for a residence permit. In order to be eligible to apply for a work permit, a Cypriot business has to sponsor them and prove to the Department of Labour that a local or a European citizen would not be suitable for the specific position. Cypriot business owners or self-employed internationals should contact business lawyers in Cyprus in order to ensure that they have gathered all the necessary documents and they have prepared themselves for the interviews with government representatives in order to succeed in the application process.
Language
Depending on the city you want to move to, you should learn how to speak either Cypriot Greek or Cypriot Turkish. If you speak English fluently, it will be easier to adapt to the new environment because the majority of Cypriots know and speak English. English was the official language of the country when it used to be under British colonial rule not too long ago.