Cyprus-Forum.com

[Robin Hood]

GIG:

Just wait and see .... Only thing remaining is to find out if our lot have been as quick to act as Spain:

Obviously not! ............... so looks like the bases will remain and the British pensioners will still get their medical treatment just like everyone else living here that qualifies? Panic over!

http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/03/31/status-brits-cyprus-cypriots-uk-not-expected-change-kidd-says/

[GreekIslandGirl]

Don't worry, for all those concerned remainers, you can buy EU citizenship for only €2Million.

[Tim Drayton]

GIG:

Just wait and see .... Only thing remaining is to find out if our lot have been as quick to act as Spain:

Obviously not! ............... so looks like the bases will remain and the British pensioners will still get their medical treatment just like everyone else living here that qualifies? Panic over!

http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/03/31/status-brits-cyprus-cypriots-uk-not-expected-change-kidd-says/

Quote from that article:

"The status of British nationals living in Cyprus or of Cypriots living in the UK is not expected to change as it is based on bilateral agreements the two countries signed prior to the island’s EU accession."

Totally wrong. British nationals did not enjoy the automatic right to work and open businesses in Cyprus before the island joined the EU. I am surprised at the self-appointed deconstructor of the MSM missing that one.

[Robin Hood]

Tim Drayton:

"The status of British nationals living in Cyprus or of Cypriots living in the UK is not expected to change as it is based on bilateral agreements the two countries signed prior to the island’s EU accession."

British Nationals living in Cyprus (now) ..... they are referring to their current situation not what it used to be. I needed permission from the Council of Ministers to buy a property here in 1990 ..... you don’t need it now! So what they are saying is they will not now be reverting to the previous rules.

Totally wrong. British nationals did not enjoy the automatic right to work and open businesses in Cyprus before the island joined the EU. I am surprised at the self-appointed deconstructor of the MSM missing that one.

You have always had the right to work here or to start a business, but the rules have changed since those early days and are unlikely to change back just because the UK is not in the EU.

You have to get your silly little digs in don’t you. They were not wrong, you are! I told you from the beginning that bi-lateral agreements (reciprocal agreements) NOT EU directives were what determined health care for instance ..... but you knew better. This is what they are telling you here, so it appears your opinions were wrong, yet again!

[Tim Drayton]

You have always had the right to work here or to start a business, but the rules have changed since those early days and are unlikely to change back just because the UK is not in the EU.

You have to get your silly little digs in don’t you. They were not wrong, you are! I told you from the beginning that bi-lateral agreements (reciprocal agreements) NOT EU directives were what determined health care for instance ..... but you knew better. This is what they are telling you here, so it appears your opinions were wrong, yet again!

No you haven't. There was no automatic right for British nationals to work or set up businesses in Cyprus prior to Cyprus's accession to the EU. People could, of course, apply for work permits but they were very hard to come by.

Those idiots who believe the NHS will continue to stump up for Britons' health care here - an obligation imposed by EU membership - after the UK has left the EU will obviously have to find out the hard way what the truth is. My parents retired to Cyprus in 1990 and at that time it was compulsory to have private medical insurance to even get a residence visa, and they had no access to public health care. That's the way it will be again for retired British people living her. Bilateral agreements are not written in stone, but can be changed to reflect changing circumstances. Obligations imposed by EU membership can be incorporated into them and, once those obligations cease to exist, they can be removed from them

[Robin Hood]

You have always had the right to work here or to start a business, but the rules have changed since those early days and are unlikely to change back just because the UK is not in the EU.

You have to get your silly little digs in don’t you. They were not wrong, you are! I told you from the beginning that bi-lateral agreements (reciprocal agreements) NOT EU directives were what determined health care for instance ..... but you knew better. This is what they are telling you here, so it appears your opinions were wrong, yet again!

No you haven't. There was no automatic right for British nationals to work or set up businesses in Cyprus prior to Cyprus's accession to the EU. People could, of course, apply for work permits but they were very hard to come by.

You could set up a business with a Cypriot partner who held 51% of the shares. So you could start a business ... period.

So, you had a right to work with a work permit, So you had a right to work .... period.

I don't think this restriction of needing a work permit was required if you were employed by an off-shore Company.

Those idiots who believe the NHS will continue to stump up for Britons' health care here - an obligation imposed by EU membership - after the UK has left the EU will obviously have to find out the hard way what the truth is. My parents retired to Cyprus in 1990 and at that time it was compulsory to have private medical insurance to even get a residence visa, and they had no access to public health care. That's the way it will be again for retired British people living her. Bilateral agreements are not written in stone, but can be changed to reflect changing circumstances. Obligations imposed by EU membership can be incorporated into them and, once those obligations cease to exist, they can be removed from them.

You've stated your opinion previously ! This article appears to refute it.

I see plenty of TC's, Russian, Thai, Sri-Lankan, Vietnamese and other non-EU Nationals at the hospital ...... what makes you think the British will be treated differently to TCN's? Many here would be unable to purchase affordable health insurance anyway .... like me, they would be too old.

[Londonrake]

I don't know how this will turn out. Does anybody? It's certainly been the subject of much speculation though, since virtually the day after the referendum.

What I have noted is that on several occasions both the BHC and members of the ROC government have made quite reassuring noises. Given that both UK expats and people in business seem to them to be something worth retaining it's difficult to imagine why they would wish to be hard assed about it. Certainly in my little world quite a few have left since we arrived 5 years ago, anyway. Perhaps for an example. The UKCA Club in Limassol used to boast a membership of over a thousand. Nowadays it is closer to 100 - 200.

Surely there is also the case of reciprocal arrangements? Whilst many Cypriots (like Milti IIRC) have UK citizenship there still seem to be far more GC/TC nationals residing in the UK than us here. That's not to mention the number of people studying of course. All will no doubt be concerned about their future wrt the likes of healthcare?

Another waiting game I guess. Although, reassuringly, both sides have agreed that sorting out the future of those living and working in each other's sphere is to be an early priority.

[Tim Drayton]

Prior to 1990 it was very difficult for a British citizen to get a work permit to work in Cyprus, and these were only issued under very exceptional circumstances. It was next to impossible for a British citizen to establish a domestic business in which they had a controlling share. After 1990, both of these things became very easy.

[Tim Drayton]

Many here would be unable to purchase affordable health insurance anyway .... like me, they would be too old.

Precisely. Stop pontificating and start worrying.

[Londonrake]

Prior to 1990 it was very difficult for a British citizen to get a work permit to work in Cyprus, and these were only issued under very exceptional circumstances. It was next to impossible for a British citizen to establish a domestic business in which they had a controlling share. After 1990, both of these things became very easy.

I absolutely take your word for it. Nevertheless, things have evolved significantly from almost 3 decades ago and there doesn't seem to be any basis in fact for the assumption that they will return hence. As I recollect, Cyprus was quite an insular country back then. Much has (hopefully!) changed. I will wait a while, before packing my bags.