Moving to Cyprus
Full country name: Republic of Cyprus
Area: total: 9,250 sq km
Land area: 9,240 sq km
Water area: 10 sq km
Population: 780,133
Capital City: Nicosia
People: Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)
Language: Greek, Turkish, English
Religion: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%
Government: parliamentary democracy
GDP: $4.54 billion (2004 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,135
Annual Growth: Republic of Cyprus: 3.2% north Cyprus: 2.6% (2004 est.)
Inflation: Republic of Cyprus: 2.4% (2003 est.); north Cyprus: 12.6% (2003 est.)
Major Industries: tourism, food and beverage processing; cement and gypsum production; ship repair and refurbishment; textiles; light chemicals; metal products; wood, paper, stone, and clay products
Member of EU: no
Member of NATO: no
Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Land boundaries: total: NA; note - boundary with Dhekelia is being resurveyed
border countries: Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia NA
Coastline: 648 km
Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
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Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast
Elevation extremes:
- lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
- highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m
International visitors arrive in Cyprus via Larnaca and Paphos International Airports, or through the ports of Larnaca, Limassol (Lemesos) and Paphos.
Visa requirements vary according to the nationality of the visitor and regulations should be checked prior to travel, as they are liable to change without notice. Visitors with valid passports from the following countries can enter Cyprus without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, F. R. Yugoslavia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican city, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
Visitors from other countries will need a valid passport with visa. Visas are issued by the Diplomatic Missions of the Republic of Cyprus. In the event that Cyprus does not have a representation in a particular country (not listed above), visas will be issued by the nearest British Consulate.
The fee for visas is C£5.00 (approximately US$ 9) while transit visas are free.
The currency of the Republic is the Cyprus Pound - C£ (CYP), which is divided into 100 cents. The exchange rate is approximately US$ 1 = CYP 0.5515
Banking hours for the public are Monday to Friday 08:30 to 12:30 and 15:15 to 16:45 in the afternoon. Summer hours vary and banking hours are 08:15 to 12:30 during June, July and August. Many centrally located banks provide ‘afternoon tourist services’, while a number of ATMs operate in main tourist areas. Hotels, large shops and restaurants usually accept traveller’s cheques and major credit cards. Rates of exchange are published daily in the local press.
InDriving is one of the best modes of transport in Cyprus as regular transport services are not available to many places of interest.
Cyprus has a good network of roads complying with international traffic requirements. Cars can be hired from numerous car-hire companies and visitors can drive using a valid International driving licence and only need to remember that traffic moves on the left.
The supply in Cyprus is 240 volts, AC 50Hz. Sockets are usually 13 amp, square-pin in most buildings.
V.A.T has been introduced in Cyprus on the purchase of almost all goods and services. Restaurants (with the exception of alcoholic beverages at 13 percent), is taxable at the rate of 5 percent. Prices displayed for standard rate items should be V.A.T inclusive.
Citizens of the European Union who wish to transfer their normal residence to the Republic of Cyprus may bring their pet animals with them.
The following rules apply.
- The animal must not be intended for commercial purposes.
- The animal must be intended for companionship (be a pet, such as a cat or dog). It should be noted that dogs of the breeds referred to in Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 may not be imported into the Republic of Cyprus.
- The animal must be accompanied by its owner (natural person) or by a person who is responsible for it at the time of the importation.
Specific identification documents and disease certification must be produced:
- for identification purposes, the documents should relate to a tattoo or microchip;
- the disease certification should include a booklet issued by a veterinarian (listing the animal’s vaccinations and other medical details),
- an animal passport,
- a veterinary certificate stating that the animal is free of disease
- and certificates stating that the animal has been given an anti-rabies vaccination and been treated against a number of conditions such as infestation by tapeworm and external parasites.
Persons who wish to import an animal should contact the veterinary service of the district in which they will be residing for information about provisions which apply to animals below three months of age via the telephone numbers and electronic addresses provided below.
Persons bringing in a pet animal must inform the District Veterinary Station with responsibility for their point of arrival in Cyprus of the date and time of their arrival and of the number of the flight on which the animal will be carried 24 to 48 hours before arriving. If certain or all of the requirements stated above are not met, the animal may be placed in quarantine in accordance with the law.
Persons who wish to import an animal are advised to get in touch with the competent authorities before leaving for Cyprus in order to find out which documents they will be required to produce when bringing in the animal and about the relevant legal provisions. .