Leaving Cyprus & Moving On

Share | Print

Leaving Cyprus & Moving On

When leaving Cyprus and moving on, there are a number of tasks to be completed before departure.

• British citizens will find useful information for returning to the UK, including a checklist of things to do, on the Directgov website: Click here
• US citizens can consult their government's travel website for tips on returning: Click here and scroll down to the section on "Returning to the US"
• Information for Australians from their government: Click here

Local Authorities

Anyone staying in Cyprus for more than 90 days needs a residence permit. Permits are issued by the Civil Registration and Migration Department (through the local Immigration Branch of the Police).

Some longer-term residents from EU countries may also have been granted permanent residence permits.

Before leaving Cyprus, notify the Civil Registration and Migration department or the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the police.

• For the Cyprus Aliens and Immigration Unit of the police: Click here

Education

Give schools a reasonable amount of notice of a child's departure. There may be outstanding bills for school fees, transport or meals to be settled.

On registration at a new school in the new country a parent may be asked for a certificate stating the latest grade passed by the child. Request this from the school when giving notice of departure.

Leave a forwarding address for any correspondence.

Housing Issues

Rental contract

The typical duration of a rental contract is one or two years with a renewal option. A deposit equal to the amount of one month's rent is fairly standard. The deposit should be refunded on departure unless the owner withholds part or all of it to cover damage.

Only the tenant has the right to terminate the contract. The contract should show the notice period, which is usually one or two months. It is possible to leave at short notice but that normally involves finding another tenant or paying the rent for the duration of the contract. It is advised to give notice in writing.

The landlord or owner will probably want to inspect the property before the tenant leaves and to go through an inventory to check for any damage.

Property sales

All estate agents are required by law to be licensed and have insurance. It is not advisable to use an un-registered agent. Legal estate agents are members of CREAA (the Cyprus Real Estate Agents Association).

The agent's fees vary, and must be paid by the seller. Once a sale has been agreed, it takes approximately one month to complete.

When the property has been sold the seller may be required to pay capital gains tax, but individual circumstances vary and professional advice should be sought.

Insurance

Home insurance can be cancelled once a sale is completed and in some circumstances a partial refund may be due. It is best to cancel all insurance in writing and by recorded delivery.

Utility bills

As with any house move, there are utility bills to be settled and meters to be read. If meters are not outside, access to the property will be required. Leave a forwarding address with all the companies involved.

Electricity and Gas: The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) manages the power supply on the island. Before leaving, ask for a final bill. Contact it via one of the service centres or visit the website.

• For the Electricity Authority of Cyprus website: Click here

There is no mains gas network on the island and most people use natural gas (LPG gas) for cooking. It is sold in bottles which should be returned for the deposit refund.

Water: The Cyprus Water Development Department manages public water supply to the island but each municipality has its own water authority. Contact the local municipal offices before moving and ask for a final bill.

• For the Cyprus Water Development Department website: Click here

Telephone and Internet: The main provider of fixed telephone lines in Cyprus is Cyta, an independent (but currently government-owned) company. A smaller provider is PrimeTel. Both companies also provide Internet services.

Before leaving Cyprus contact the appropriate supplier to arrange disconnection and a final bill.

Cyta can be contacted via the call centre (dial 132 from any phone in Cyprus) or retail outlets.

• For the Cyta website: Click here

PrimeTel can be contacted by telephone or online.

• For the PrimeTel website: Click here  

Health Care and Social Security

Anyone who has been granted temporary or permanent residence should have also received a Cyprus Medical Card (valid for two years at a time) issued through the Cyprus Health Service. Above a certain income level it is necessary to contribute toward the cost of medical treatment, so some foreign residents will have had additional private medical insurance in place during their stay.

Anyone who has held a Cyprus Medical Card should inform the authorities of their departure.

• The Ministry of Health website: Click here

Any private health insurance cover which has been in force may need changing or cancelling now. Ensure that health insurance remains valid until arrival in the new country of residence or continues as appropriate.

Those who have received medical treatment while in Cyprus should ask for their medical records to be forwarded to their new practitioner.

Those who have been employed in Cyprus and have been paying into a pension fund (state and/or private) need to arrange for benefits to be transferred if applicable. EU citizens can normally transfer benefits between countries quite simply.

Business and Tax Issues

Banking

A Cypriot bank account should be kept open for a short period to settle final bills. Non-residents are still permitted to have bank accounts and some people may prefer to keep an account open.

As many banks employ English-speaking staff, closing an account or changing to a non-resident account should be fairly straightforward, though fees may be charged.

Internet banking is very popular and most functions can be completed online including transferring funds elsewhere and cancelling direct debits. Foreigners who are residents for tax purposes in Cyprus will have a percentage of interest on their bank accounts retained for tax (paid to the Ministry of Finance on their behalf). Speak to the bank about options for changing this (or moving to a non-resident account) before departure.

Remember that banks will retain part of the interest paid to foreigners who are residents of Cyprus for tax purposes. This is always recorded on the tax return and an accountant can advise if any refund is due following departure and/or change of residency status.

Credit card companies will also need to be notified of a new address for statements.

Tax

The tax year in Cyprus is 1 January to 31 December. Employees whose only source of income is their salary don't need to make an annual tax declaration. Upon termination of employment (and departure from Cyprus) there is no longer tax liability in the country.

• For more information regarding taxation in Cyprus, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Tax in Cyprus
• Cyprus Ministry of Finance website: Click here

As taxation is complex and individual circumstances vary, professional advice is suggested prior to departure and again on arrival in the new country of residence.

Correspondence

Cyprus Postal Services is responsible for mail on the island. It will redirect post for a fee for a period of three months.

Apply in person at a local post office or via their website.

• The Cyprus Postal Service website: Click here

Vehicles and Driving

Before exporting a vehicle purchased in Cyprus, notify the Road Traffic Department, which is responsible for vehicle registration and road tax. The Cyprus Department of Customs and Excise should also be notified. Find more information on the Cyprus Department of Customs and Excise website about importing and exporting vehicles.

• The Cyprus Department of Customs and Excise website: Click here

Embassies in the new country of residence can provide information on the importation of personal goods.

Animals

Depending on the destination, some animals may require a period of quarantine. Their move will almost certainly need documentation and possible additional vaccinations or similar medical treatment.

The EU pet passport covers dogs, cats and ferrets for movement within Europe and the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) allows qualifying domestic pets to travel to and from the UK without a period of quarantine. There is a waiting period after vaccination before a vet can carry out blood tests and issue a passport. Local vets can provide information and documentation. There is a waiting period after vaccination before a vet can carry out blood tests and issue a passport.

Travelling to other EU destinations with pets with passports (cats, dogs and ferrets) is relatively straightforward but relocating to a non-EU country will be more complicated. It is best to contact the embassy in the new country of residence for up to date information.

As a general rule, animals have to travel in approved containers and by approved routes. Be aware that sudden outbreaks of diseases (such as avian flu) can affect pet travel. Embassy websites are also good sources of information.

Before final departure, the District Veterinary Station must be notified at least 48 hours in advance with details of the departure and any animals leaving the country.

• For District Veterinary Station contact details, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Pet Travel and Moving with Animals to Cyprus

Pet owners might also like to contact Paphiakos & CCP Animal Welfare for information and advice on the exportation of domestic pets and animals from Cyprus.

• For the CCP Animal Welfare website: Click here
• The Cyprus Veterinary Services website has additional information: Click here

Further Information

• Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• United States Embassy, Cyprus
• Australian High Commission
• Returning to New Zealand (from the New Zealand government website)
• European Union information regarding moving pets and animals