Cyprus-Forum.com

[rivington]

Hi,
This is my first time on Cyprus forum,so please excuse me if you have heard the questions I wish to ask, for the hundredth time.

I am nearing my retirement age ,and I would like to spend a few years with the sun on my back.I am interested in Cyprus because of the sun and history ,and also because the cost of property is still reasonable for a working man.

I suppose the ideal people to answer my questions would be a recently retired couple from the UK who had recently moved to Cyprus,but I would be grateful for any tips and information from anyone about living in Cyprus.

My wife has health problems and receives medication from the Doctor in the form of prescriptions.Do Doctors issue prescriptions ,and what is the cost in Cyprus?

I have trawled through the numerous firms that sell property in Cyprus and have noted that to be able to buy and live in Cyprus one must have a certain annual income, to now I have seen at least four different figures given with regard to this income.Does anyone out there know the real amount of annual income needed ?

We have a cat that drags along with us both,what is the best way of getting him to Cyprus.I mean physically,not the vaccinations etc.? I have heard that people in Cyprus have a different attitude to pets than pet loving Brits,would this be any detriment to having a pet in Cyprus?

I would be happy to receive any thoughts on Cyprus , and would be pleased to answer any questions with regard to the England and the English in return.

[cannedmoose]

I have trawled through the numerous firms that sell property in Cyprus and have noted that to be able to buy and live in Cyprus one must have a certain annual income, to now I have seen at least four different figures given with regard to this income.Does anyone out there know the real amount of annual income needed ?

Hi rivington, welcome to the forum. I'm not sure where you got this advice from, as an EU citizen you have the immediate right to settle in Cyprus regardless of your income. I think the only proviso as a retired person is that you need to prove you would not become a burden on the state, but I'm not sure even on that score.

[rivington]

Hi cannedmoose,
First of all let me thank you for the almost instant reply to my mail.I understand that even though Cyprus is a member of the EU, not everything is yet governed by EU rules , and that it will take until around 2007 before Cyprus conforms with all laws regarding residency. Thanks again for your quick response.

[cannedmoose]

Hi Rivington, I was right in that as an EU citizen you do have the right of residency. I've just looked around on a couple of websites and came across this which should be of use to you.

Category F: Persons who possess and have fully and freely at their disposal a secured annual income, high enough to give them a decent living in Cyprus, without having to engage in any business, trade or profession. The annual income required should be at least CY£3,800 for a single applicant and moreover at least CY£1,800 for every dependent person, but the Immigration Control Board may demand additional amounts as necessary.

So, as a minimum you only need an annual income of CY£5,600 if you seek permanent residence as a retired couple.

http://www.kyprianou.com.cy/index.cfm/i ... ng/english

[rivington]

Hi Cannedmoose,
Thanks again for your help.I've obviously not come across the website you pointed me to. This is the first step ,thanks for putting my foot on it.

[Hazza]

Out of interest, where in Cyprus are you planning of moving?

Doctors out here do give prescriptions. We don't have an NHS type system here, but a visit to the doctor is reasonable at around £10 CYP.

[rivington]

Hi Hazza,
Thanks for replying. To the first question I don't know, I can't really make a move till next year,I have a feeling we might end up in Larnaca or Famagusta. I'm not over worried about the Doctors fees , it's the cost of the prescriptions that I am concerned about.You know the costs of medicine can be heavy if you pay the pharmacy prices . In England if you pay for a item it costs just over £6.00.If you are over 60years old it's free.

[sk]

there are two yahoo groups formed from british expats in cyprus,one concerns the east part of the island(larnaka,famagusta) and the other the west(pafos). i think their names were cypruslife and cyprusliving. there was a topic in one of them concerning doctors and medicines and if i am not wrong one of them has a list with most of the medications available now with their prices. try to find these groups,you will find them very useful!

[rivington]

Hi sk,
Thanks very much for your help.I'll try and find the groups you suggest tomorrow. Thanks to everyone on the forum who have taken the trouble to point me in the right direction.

[Svetlana]

Hi Rivington

Sadly. the internet is a world of misinformation about Cyprus.

Some answers:

There is no NHS here but if you are in receipt of an incapity or UK State OAP Pension you are entitled to free or subsidised health care. Also Winter Fuel Allowance if you have received it in the UK

If you do not qualify for the above you may take out private medical insurance, as most expats do (and many Cypriots). It will not cover preconditions but will cost you around half that a similar policy would in the UK. Immigration will (illegaly) require you to have one form of health care or another.

The minimum income rule has now been dropped but i would not move here unless you have an income of CY£8000 pa; some survive on less but even this figure will provide a modest lifestyle.

Pets: you may now bring in on the Pet passport scheme; they 'fly' over!
Pre-EU it was 6 months house quarnatine.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask; there ios a font of knowledge on this Board.

Lana