Cyprus is the third largest island of the Mediterranean basin (9.251 square kilometers) situated in the north-eastern end between Europe, Asia and Africa. Intense Mediterranean climate, with long dry summers from mid-May to mid- October and mild winters from December to February, which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons.
Though a small island, Cyprus has always played an important role in the history of the Mediterranean.
In 1960 Cyprus became an Independent Republic following an 82-year period of British Administration.
In 1974, Turkey launched a military operation and its troops took control of 37% of the island with large-scale population movements as a result. The de-facto separation remains to this day. Efforts are made under the auspices of the UN to find a solution acceptable to both sides.
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus is recognized by EU and UN as the only legitimate government.
The present population of Cyprus is estimated at 870.000 of whom 696.870 (80,1%) belong to the Greek Cypriot community, 94.830 (10,9%) to the
Turkish Cypriot community and 78.300 (9%) are foreigners residing in Cyprus.
Who can work in Cyprus?
As from 1st May 2004, nationals from EU member states (incl. European Economic Area countries and Switzerland) can work in Cyprus without restrictions.
However, they will need to register if they intend to stay longer than 3 months and take up employment in Cyprus. They must apply to the Civil Registry & Migration Department for a registration certificate as soon as they secure employment and in any event within a period of 4 months from the date of entry into Cyprus.
EU nationals working in Cyprus have the same rights as Cypriot nationals with regard to pay, working conditions, access to housing, vocational training, social security and trade union membership. Family and relatives, who are dependent on them such as children, have similar rights.
Once in Cyprus, if there is an intention to stay and take up employment one has to:
a) Apply for a Registration Certificate.
This application must be submitted before the expiration of a 4-month period (as stated above) at the local Immigration Branch of the Police.
In applying for a registration certificate, the EU citizen must personally attend the offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department (this service is for the time being, provided at the local Immigration Branch of the Police in all districts except
Nicosia where a District Migration Office exists) and submit the following:
- • A duly completed standard form (obtainable from Civil Registry & Migration Dept or from the local Immigration Branch of the Police) depending on the category of residence one is applying for (employed activity, self-employment etc.).
- • Valid Passport or ID Card
- • 2 photos
- • A fee of €8,54
- Note: if one is applying for dependants as well, then the following must be presented:
- • Certified true copies of marriage certificate – apostille, if the marriage took place outside Cyprus
- • In case the marriage took place in Cyprus,
- EU citizens and nationals of Member States of the convention of Hague must submit a marital status certificate – apostille. A citizen of third countries must present a marital status certificate issued by the Civil Registry confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Cyprus Embassy in their country.
b) Apply for a social insurance number upon securing employment in Cyprus
The registration certificate is issued within a week from the date of application.
A. Finding Employment
Public Employment Service
One can visit any Cyprus District Labour Office to register and receive appropriate information, guidance and assistance in job placement.
A job seeker registering at the Public Employment Service for the first time, must present a valid Passport or ID card, plus copies of certificates of academic and/or professional qualifications translated in either Greek or English.
Private employment Agencies in Cyprus
Private recruitment agencies (mainly within Consultancy Firms), are an important source for managerial and highly specialized jobs. In the last few years a considerable number of private recruitment services specializing in recruiting skilled and semi-skilled labour from abroad have set-up offices in Cyprus
More information may be obtained from the Cyprus Human Resources Management
Association (www.cyhrma.org) and from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (www.ccci.org.cy)
Some private recruitment agencies have a job database with vacancies as well as CV online.
Please note that on the basis of Cyprus legislation regulating the operation and registration of these agencies, the services offered to jobseekers are free of charge.
Complaints about misconduct of the agencies can be submitted to the Director of Dept. of Labour, Tel +357 22400802,
E-mail: director@dl.mlsi.gov.cy
B. Professions which are regulated in Cyprus
In the case of wishing to pursue A profession or occupation in Cyprus which is regulated, then a different procedure is followed. Therefore it is wise before coming to Cyprus to find out which are these regulated professions/ occupations. These include for example, the profession of doctor, architect, nurse, aesthetician, lawyer, estate agent, mechanical engineer, taxi and bus driver, geologist etc.
The Labour Department acts as a National Focal Point for providing information on legislation and procedures with regard to pursuing regulated professions in Cyprus, as well as information on the “competent body” responsible for examining applications submitted for the exercise of a regulated profession
C. Salaries-collective agreements
Salaries are either agreed with the employer, or are based on collective agreements applying in various sectors of economic activity.
For the protection of vulnerable groups of employees, who are mainly characterized by their weak bargaining power, an Order is issued annually, providing for a minimum wage for certain occupations like shop assistants, clerks, child-care workers (assistant baby and child minders), security personnel (paid hourly) and personal care workers (nursing aids). The minimum wage for newly recruited employees is currently
€835 gross per month, increased to €887 for those with a continuous service of more than 6 months.
Based on existing legislation, an employer is obliged – within a period of one month from the date of commencement of the job – to communicate to the newly recruited employee in writing, the terms of his/her employment. In case of non-compliance, complaints can be submitted to the Director of the Department of Labour Relations,
tel. +357 22451500, e-mail:
info@dlr.mlsi.gov.cy or online on their website www.mlsi.gov.cy/dlr
D. Cyprus Taxation
An EU citizen is obliged to contact the Department of Inland Revenue in order to obtain a Taxpayer’s Identification Code. He must present his passport together with Form I.R. 163A duly completed
Tax liability in Cyprus is based on the principle of residence. According to the Cyprus Income tax Law, an individual is considered to be resident in Cyprus for tax purposes if he resides in Cyprus for a period/s which exceed 183 days in the same tax year. Tax residents in Cyprus are taxed in respect of their worldwide income, while non- tax residents are taxed in respect of Cyprus source income only. Non-tax residents having a permanent establishment in Cyprus may elect, if it is to their benefit, to be taxed in accordance with the provisions applicable to tax residents.
The Income tax Law provides for various exemptions, on condition that certain criteria are satisfied. You will find detailed information on the Cyprus Tax System on our site.
E. Social Security
In Cyprus there is a general earnings related Social Insurance Scheme, which covers compulsorily, every person gainfully occupied in Cyprus either as employed or self employed person. Employed persons include civil servants and apprentices.
Voluntary insurance is allowed to persons who wish to continue their insurance after a prescribed period of compulsory insurance or to persons who work abroad in the service of Cypriot employers.
The Scheme is financed by earnings related contributions payable by the insured person, the employer and the State. In the case of employees the contribution is 17,9% on his earnings, 6,8% payable by the employee, 6,8% payable by the employer and 4,3% by the State. In the case of self-employed persons the contribution is 16,9% on the self-employed person’s prescribed income, 12,6% is paid by the self-employed himself and 4,3% by the State. In the case of voluntary insured persons the contribution is 14,8% on the earnings on which they opt to pay contributions. From the 14,8%, 11% is paid by the voluntary contributor and 3,8% by the State.
Transferring your social insurance benefits
Cyprus, as from 1 May 2004, applies the EC Regulation 1408/71 and 574/72 which coordinates the social security systems of the member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. The EC Regulation 1408/71 governs the retention and transfer of social security entitlements when a person moves from one member state to another.
The principles of these regulations are:
- • No discrimination between nationalities (equal treatment)
- • Workers are subject to legislation of only one state at a time
- • The rights to benefits in course of acquisition are protected (aggregation of periods of insurance, employment or residence).
- • The rights you have already acquired are protected (e.g. you can receive the benefits you have already claimed where ever you live in the EU).
Furthermore, Cyprus has concluded reciprocal agreements on social security with 4 countries/areas other than the EU member states (Canada, Quebec, Egypt, Australia and Syria) for the purpose of maintaining the social security rights of persons who move between Cyprus and these countries.
Kinds of Benefits
The scheme provides for various benefits including marriage grant, funeral grant maternity grant, maternity allowance, sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, orphan’s benefit, old age pension, widow’s pension, invalidity pension In addition, the Scheme provides free medical treatment to victims of industrial accidents and occupational diseases and to invalidity pensioners.
F. Health System
EU citizens residing in Cyprus, are subject to the same obligations and enjoy the same benefits under the legislation of Cyprus as Cypriot nationals.
The medical needs in Cyprus are met through three systems of health services:
- • The government (public) health sector
- • The private health sector, and
- • A number of schemes covering specific sections of the population.
(a) Public Health Sector
The right to public health care in Cyprus is subject to an income test, namely;
- • Free of charge Health care which is provided free through government facilities to government employees, single persons whose annual income does not exceed €15.377,41 and members of families whose annual income does not exceed €30.754,82 increased by €1.708,60 for each dependent child. Also, it is free among others to members of families with 3 or more children, persons in receipt of public assistance and people suffering from certain chronic diseases or disabilities.
- • At reduced fees for people whose annual income is between €15.377,41 and €20.503,22 or to members of families whose annual income is between €30.754,83 and €37.589,23 increased by €1.708,60 for each dependent child.
Paying patients
Persons not falling under the above categories can make use of the Government medical services against payment of the fees prescribed from time to time.
Paying patients may have the fees for costly in-patient treatment reduced, taking into account the level of their income.
Furthermore, free medical care is provided in all cases when receiving
treatment at the accident and emergency departments irrespective of the economic situation or the nationality of the person involved, including visitors. However, if these cases need hospitalization, subsequent fees have to be paid.
Government provision of health care is funded out of general taxation.
(b) Private health sector:
It is open to all those who can afford to pay for their treatment. Private medicine is dominated by a large number of physicians in individual practice.
(c) Special Schemes:
A number of special schemes cover specific sections of the population and these include:
• Medical Services provided by the Trade Unions to their members and their dependants.
• A number of employer-sponsored arrangements, all of which provide free medical care mainly through public health facilities.
Health care free of charge or at reduced fees is provided to those who satisfy the referred income criteria and who are issued with a medical card after submitting an application on the prescribed form. Relevant forms may be obtained from the Ministry of Health, the public hospitals and the Citizen Service Centres and can be submitted, either to the same place or directly to the Ministry of Health.
G. Relocating from another country
Pets
The Animal Health Laws and the Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, as well as every other community or national legislation in relation to it, constitute the legal basis for the non-commercial movement of pet animals.
Points of entry
The points of entry into the Republic of Cyprus for the non-commercial movement of pet animals are the following:
• The Larnaka and Pafos International Airports.
• The Lemesos, Larnaka and Pafos ports and marinas.
The entry of a pet animal from any other point except those mentioned above is prohibited. The entry points for animal species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are the Larnaka and Pafos International Airports and the Lemesos and Larnaka ports only.
Dogs, cats, ferrets
A. General Requirements
1. Identification
Every animal must be individually identified.
An animal is considered identified when it bears either
- • a clearly readable tattoo or
- • an electronic identification system(transponder – microchip).
The transponder (microchip) must comply with ISO standard 11784 or annex A to ISO standard 11785. In the case where the transponder does not comply with the aforementioned standards, the owner/person responsible for the animal must provide the means necessary for reading the transponder at the time of inspection. The tattoo, as a means of identification, will only be accepted until 3 July 2011. After this date the only identification system allowed will be the transponder. The implantation of the microchip should be proved that it has been performed prior to at least one vaccination against rabies.
2. Vaccination against rabies
In order to be vaccinated, the animal must be at least three months old. The completion of the protocol for the animal’s primary vaccination must take place at least 21 days prior to the movement of the animal. Revaccinations (booster vaccinations) are valid from the date of administration, provided they are administered within the period of validity indicated by the manufacturer of the vaccine used in the previous vaccination. The vaccination will be considered as a primary vaccination in the absence of veterinary certification attesting the previous vaccination.
3. Taking into account the abovementioned requirements, any pet animal entering the territory of the Republic of Cyprus must be at least 111 days old. The entry of pet animals aged less than 111 days old is prohibited.
4. The entry of dogs of the following breeds is prohibited:
• American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull
Terrier
• Japanese Tosa or Tosa Inu
• Dogo Argentino or Argentinian Mastiff
• Fila Brasileiro or Brazilian Mastiff
5. Accompanying documents
The animals must be accompanied by the following documents
• Passport certifying a valid anti-rabies Vaccination
• Document verifying that the animal has arrived in Cyprus from another EU Member State.
B. Conduct of checks
Upon arrival, every animal and its accompanying documents are inspected either by a Veterinary Officer or by a Customs Officer on duty.
C. Actions taken when a pet animal does not fulfill the provisions depending on the requirements which are not met, the pet animal may be:
• Returned to the country of origin (re-exported).
• Isolated in quarantine for as long as necessary for it to meet the health requirements. The duration of the quarantine cannot exceed a six-month period.
• Euthanized without any compensation to the owner or the person responsible for the animal, if re-exportation or isolation in quarantine for the required period is not feasible.
Furthermore, the owner or the person responsible for the animal is obliged to pay the legal inspection and quarantine fees as indicated in the legislation, plus VAT.
Other species
For the entry of pet animals other than dogs, cats and ferrets, an import permit issued by the Veterinary Services must be obtained prior to the movement.
Car
The Department of Road Transport is responsible for the type approval of vehicles, which relate to specifications, for the vehicle registrations, the vehicle circulation license and the collection of the corresponding circulation fees, and the periodic inspection for roadworthiness of vehicles. It is also responsible for the driving licenses. Furthermore, the Department is responsible for the road operations which concern public passenger and goods transport.
Vehicles are registered at the district Offices of the Department, provided they meet the required specifications, after paying the relevant registration tax. The tax depends on the cubic capacity of the engine of the vehicle, its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for saloon cars, and on the vehicle category and use.
A circulation license must be issued before a vehicle is put into circulation on the roads of Cyprus. For this, a fee must be paid, which depends on the cubic capacity of the engine of the vehicle, its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for saloon cars, and on the vehicle category and use. Since 2006, the fee can be paid via internet, at the address: http://www.mcw.gov.cy/rtd
A valid third party insurance cover is needed for the renewal of the circulation license. Nevertheless, the insurance cover is a legal obligation at any time of driving.
Vehicles must be inspected and pass the roadworthiness test at specified intervals, otherwise, their circulation license is invalidated.
Private vehicles must first be inspected four years after their first registration as new and then every two years, at inspection centres of the private sector.
A driver of a vehicle must be the holder of a driving license corresponding to the vehicle category used. The licenses are issued after a process which includes a series of tests. Under normal circumstances a license is valid until the holder reaches the age of 70. After that age, the license is renewed every three years, with the presentation of a medical fitness certificate.
All driving licenses issued by a European member state can be used in Cyprus until their expiration date. The holder may nevertheless exchange it with a
Cypriot – European license if he wishes.
For more information:
Road Transport Department
Tel.: +357 22807102
e-mail: roadtransport@rtd.mcw.gov.cy
H. Education system
In Cyprus, school attendance is compulsory up to the age of 15 (first nine years of education). The same applies to all children who live in Cyprus, regardless of their nationality or faith.
Detailed information on the educational system in Cyprus you can find in the Annual Report of the Ministry of Education and Culture by visiting their website www.moec.gov.cy or in the website of the Information Network on Education in
Europe “EURYDICE” www.eurydice.org
More information:
Tel. +357 22800600
registry@moec.gov.cy
I. Accommodation
The availability of accommodation is good and includes apartments, houses and villas. The rent depends largely on where the flat is situated (town, area) and the amenities/equipment in the house. Roughly speaking, the rent of an average flat could range from €430-€600/month.
Advertisements on flats to rent (or to buy) appear in all newspapers. They are also advertised in specialized newspapers. A great number of estate agencies also operate in Cyprus listing property in Cyprus for rent or for sale.
The duration of the contract is usually for one or two years, easily renewable upon expiry. Costs for water, electricity, heating and some other expenses are normally not included when renting a flat.
You will usually be asked for one month’s rent as a deposit paid with the first monthly rental (rent is normally paid in advance).
J. Shops
During the winter period (1 November – 31 March) shops are open until 19:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays they are open until 15:00 and Saturdays until 19:00. During Sundays all shops are closed.
During the summer period (1 April – 31 October) shops are open until 20:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays they are open until 15:00 and Saturdays until 19:30. During Sundays all shops are closed. Furthermore, during the summer afternoon recess (from 15 June – 31 August) shops can be closed – on a voluntary basis – between the hours of 14:00 and 17:00.
In addition to the above, there are special provisions for a number of establishments (bakeries, confectioneries, kiosks, hire-car offices, cinemas, shops in hotels, harbours or airports), according to which, these can stay open on a 24-hour basis, and also for a number of other establishments for which different opening and closing times are provided (nurseries, hairdressing salons, liquor stores, tyre repairing establishments etc.).
Special arrangements are also provided during Christmas and Easter period during which shops can stay open until 20:00
In addition , periods and closing times of shops in the so called “tourist areas” are from time to time designated by a ministerial order.
K. Transport
Cypriots use their private car regularly for their transportation, whether living in towns or villages.
There is also a public transportation network in towns, as well as between urban and rural areas.
But the most common way for an inter-city travel in Cyprus (apart from private means) is the so-called “service taxi” with which you are picked up from your house and delivered to destination. It is a relatively cheap way of traveling to another city. Private taxis are of course available upon request. Inter-city fares are fixed, but those for a private service are charged accordingly.
Other important information:
In Cyprus, driving is on the left hand side.
