Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sega]

Dear all,

Sorry to limit this post to a specific segment of the population but I need some advice and unfortunately the only people that can help me are of British Nationality who live and work in Cyprus.

It has to do with your rights and living and working abroad. If somebody for instance was born and lived in the UK all his life, and only recently decided to move abroad does this mean that his rights as a British person go. Obviously claiming benefits is out of the question, but say for instance your bank accounts, your dentists, your doctors, would these all change by force, or would you be able to retain them for sentimental value? Would I no longer be able to go to my local opticians in the UK and pay for an eye check, like I before.

I don't know how it works. I know there are over 70,000 British living in Cyprus, what do these people do? Not to mention all the British living in sunny Spain, what do these people do?

I would be very interested to know. If somebody loves England, and wants to retain England for memory, but is forced to live abroad due to work commitments or family, would he no longer be able to keep a piece of Britain?


Kind Regards,
Sega

Please can I have only serious replies. Thanks.

[RichardB]

Bank accounts - Keep them no problem

Dentists - If they are anything likemine they strike you off if you miss an appointment. So better to inform them of your intentions

Doctors- Mine kept me registered while I lived in Cyprus- Best get medical insurance while you are in cyprus though IMO

Local opticians- Dont think they're fussed you just turn up and pay for your eye test- Cheaper service in Cyprus though so why bother

And as for claiming benefits well I think officially you can If youre a citizen of EU - Never tried though

[Magnus]

If you move to Cyprus you should bear in mind that you may have an obligation to national service. There are a few threads about it already so a quick search will bring up any info if it applies to you.

If you're planning to stay in Cyprus long-term, you can apply for dual-citizenship so you can retain your British citizenship but also be a Cypriot too.

Here's the link for the Cyprus High Commission in London:

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/highcom/highcom_london.nsf/DMLcontactus_en/DMLcontactus_en?OpenDocument

There should be lots of useful information there.

[Cheshire Cat]

In France, we have the same rights as the rest of the population, Everyone can claim healthcare up to 70% and the rest you can cover with a top up scheme. Cyprus is in the EU so it should have a similar scheme. We recieve a U.K. pension and choose to pay tax in France.

[Sega]

If you move to Cyprus you should bear in mind that you may have an obligation to national service. There are a few threads about it already so a quick search will bring up any info if it applies to you.

If you're planning to stay in Cyprus long-term, you can apply for dual-citizenship so you can retain your British citizenship but also be a Cypriot too.

Here's the link for the Cyprus High Commission in London:

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/highcom/highcom_london.nsf/DMLcontactus_en/DMLcontactus_en?OpenDocument

There should be lots of useful information there.

National Service is not a problem. I am obliged to do it, but they are not fussed. I am currently in the waiting list.

Thanks for your advise people, especially RichardB, you are all gentlemen.

The reason I asked such questions is because I live most of the time in Cyprus, but I do go to the UK from time to time (especially on holidays), however, some British people there were not happy with this. They felt as if I abandoned the sinking ship.

Anyway, some people even questioned me in a negative manner if I was able to walk around England like before. I think it was more jealous than anything else.

[Sega]

If you move to Cyprus you should bear in mind that you may have an obligation to national service. There are a few threads about it already so a quick search will bring up any info if it applies to you.

If you're planning to stay in Cyprus long-term, you can apply for dual-citizenship so you can retain your British citizenship but also be a Cypriot too.

Here's the link for the Cyprus High Commission in London:

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/highcom/highcom_london.nsf/DMLcontactus_en/DMLcontactus_en?OpenDocument

There should be lots of useful information there.

I have a british passport, and a Cypriot ID card. Is this what you mean by dual nationality. How does dual nationality work?

[Magnus]

If you move to Cyprus you should bear in mind that you may have an obligation to national service. There are a few threads about it already so a quick search will bring up any info if it applies to you.

If you're planning to stay in Cyprus long-term, you can apply for dual-citizenship so you can retain your British citizenship but also be a Cypriot too.

Here's the link for the Cyprus High Commission in London:

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/highcom/highcom_london.nsf/DMLcontactus_en/DMLcontactus_en?OpenDocument

There should be lots of useful information there.

I have a british passport, and a Cypriot ID card. Is this what you mean by dual nationality. How does dual nationality work?

In this case, it means that while you're living in Cyprus you get all the rights and privileges (and obligations) of the locals. For example, it means you will be able to vote in Cyprus. You wont lose your British status, so if you come back to the UK you'll carry on as you were.

I don't know if the I.D. card means you have dual citizenship, I thought maybe the I.D. card was for enabling you to work in Cyprus. Maybe someone else knows better, but I think you actually have to apply for citizenship and it goes on your passport.

Just wondering (if you don't mind the question) why don't they care about your military service? Have they just got you to defer entry or don't they really insist on you doing it? I'm curious to know what the actual situation is, as the official policy is to make everyone do it but I wonder how strict they are in application.

Also, this page has lots of info about benefits etc:

http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/HighCom/HighCom_London.nsf/All/FC5FB2A6910C52588025733E000EADC5?OpenDocument