Google anything to do with making a will in Cyprus and you will come up with many conflicting answers, ranging from “NO” to “DEFINITELY” and anything in-between. Ask 20 people here in Cyprus and you will get probably 20 different answers.

Wills are an emotive subject at the best of times and when you need the least hassle, you do not want to be confronted with Cyprus “red tape” which will almost certainly conflict with the UK “red tape”. If you are domiciled here then your entire estate is liable to Cyprus law, if you are domiciled elsewhere, then it is only your immovable property that is subject.

At the moment, the majority of people use a solicitor to draw up a Cyprus will and then use them as an executor/administrator. This is perfectly acceptable BUT, although the Cyprus Bar Association sets a minimum fee, it does NOT set a maximum. “Over-enthusiastic” lawyers may charge a lot more than you ever expected.

If you look on our website at the information pages, we have a list of lawyers who we use regularly for both business and personal matters. www.fitzgeraldcyprus.com/finance_and_legal

Also, we have listed our chartered accountants, Y.Lazarou who have offices in both Paphos and Polis. They can act as administrators for your estate for a more than reasonable cost, of course depending on your circumstances. Contact then for a discussion on how they can help you.

Whatever you decide, you MUST do something! Without a will, Cyprus law states that your estate is divided between all your heirs as in some other European countries. Your spouse could be left with less than ½ of your estate.

So, don’t put this off – do something NOW!!

The Health System

Medical care is provided by the government medical services and the private medical sector. The government medical services can be used by anyone who chooses to be treated at a medical establishment.

The government medical services provide treatment free or with reduced charges for certain groups of individuals. Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Health. Free government medical services are provided inter alia for the following groups:

• unmarried persons with annual income of not more than 9,000 Cyprus pounds; members of families with income of not more than 18,000 Cyprus pounds, increased by 1,000 Cyprus pounds for each dependent child; persons suffering from certain chronic illnesses
• medical services at reduced cost are provided for unmarried persons with annual income exceeding 9,000Cyprus pounds but not exceeding 12,000 Cyprus pounds and for members of families with income

exceeding 18,000 Cyprus pounds but not exceeding 22,000 Cyprus pounds, increased by 1,000 Cyprus pounds for each dependent child

• emergency care is provided free for all persons who arrive at accident and emergency departments of the government hospitals. Any further treatment in acute cases is provided on the basis of the conditions described above.

Persons who opt for the private sector pay the costs themselves. Certain population groups are covered by trade union or employer insurance funds which provide full or partial cover of medical costs for their members. The private sector has a very large number of doctors who operate their own surgeries. In addition a large number of doctors work at health centres in the cities which provide a wide range of medical services.

Citizens of the European Union on temporary visits to Cyprus and non-working residents receive treatment free of charge at state medical establishments on presentation of the relevant document (such as Form E111 and Form E121) issued to them by the country of origin in which they are insured and according to specific criteria. For more information, those interested are encouraged to visit the Ministry of Health website or to phone the Ministry.

All of the districts now have new hospitals, and construction of the New General Hospital in Nicosia is in its final stages. In recent years, in particular, there has been substantial development of tertiary medicine, and, as a result, cases which used to be sent abroad for treatment are now treated in Cyprus.

Further Information

• Ministry of Health, Free Movement of Patients

At: Ministry of Health, 1448, Nicosia

    Tel: 224 00115
  * Ministry of Health, General Coordination of EU Affairs 
    At: Ministry of Health, 1448, Nicosia 
    Tel: 224 00195

Registration Procedures

The European acquis guarantees freedom of movement and establishment and the freedom to work for the citizens of Europe in all countries of the EU. Any European citizen can enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus with an identity card or a valid passport.

A European citizen who wishes to work in Cyprus for a period shorter than three months must declare his presence to the Department of the Population and Migration Archive or to an office of the Aliens and Migration Service of the police within eight days of entering the country.

European citizens may enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus without an employment contract and seek work for a period of three months. Upon finding work, they must contact the Department of the Population and Migration Archive or an office of the Aliens and Migration Service of the police in order to obtain the appropriate permit and to be registered in the relevant archives.

A citizen of Europe who comes to Cyprus and wishes to work for a period longer than three months must register (within three months) with the Department of the Population and Migration Archive or with an office of the Aliens and Migration Service of the police in order to obtain the appropriate permit (residence permit). When a European citizen has found work, the statement of recruitment must be stamped by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. The statement of recruitment should state the duration of the employment, the duties and other relevant particulars.

Dependants who accompany a citizen of Europe who wishes to work in Cyprus must register with the Department of the Population and Migration Archive or the Aliens and Migration Service of the police and its district offices. It is anticipated that dependants (spouse, children, other family members) will be required to lodge relevant documents such as a valid passport or identity card, a certificate proving the family relationship with the European citizen, a health certificate and a certificate proving that the person concerned is maintained by the European citizen or lives with him or her under the same roof. Dependants enjoy the same rights as the European citizen whom they accompany. A dependant who is not a national of an EU country must have a visa.

Under the European acquis, citizens of Europe are subject to the same taxes and deductions as the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.

The provisions which apply to citizens of the European Union apply also to nationals of the countries of the European Economic Area which are not in the EU. The European Economic Area consists of the countries of the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Further Information

Interested persons are advised to contact the Department of the Population and Migration Archive for clarification and information about the necessary procedures and forms. In addition they can contact the Aliens and Migration Service of the police and its district offices.

• Department of the Population and Migration Archive:

Residence without employment:

    Tel: 22 804 420 
    Employment: 
    Tel: 22 804 410
  * Aliens and Migration Service of the Police: 
    Tel: 22 80 88 46 
  * Email - migration@crmd.moi.gov.cy

The Residence Permit

Now that Cyprus has joined the European Union, the restrictions which formerly applied to citizens of the European Economic Area as regards employment and residence in Cyprus have been abolished. European citizens who wish to reside in Cyprus are required to submit an application for the appropriate permit and to register with the Department of the Population and Migration Archive or with an office of the Aliens and Migration Service of the police.

European citizens who work and reside legally in Cyprus have the same rights as citizens of Cyprus as regards remuneration, working conditions, residence, social insurance and trade union membership, etc. A third country national who is a dependant of a European citizen and who is together with that citizen in Cyprus enjoys the same rights as a citizen of the European Union.

The foregoing applies also to all citizens of the European Economic Area (which consists of the countries of the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). Further Information

Interested persons are advised to contact the Department of the Population and Migration Archive or the Aliens and Migration Service of the police and their district offices for clarification and information about the necessary procedures and forms.

• Department of the Population and Migration Archive:

Residence without employment

    Tel: 22 804 420 
    Employment 
    Tel: 22 804 410
  * Aliens and Migration Service of the Police 
    Tel: 22 80 88 46

Email - migration@crmd.moi.gov.cy Moving of Goods

Citizens of EU Member States who transfer their normal residence to Cyprus can bring their personal property into the country without having to pay import duty, excise duty and VAT. A citizen of Europe is deemed to have moved his normal residence (namely the place where he usually lives for at least 185 days in a calendar year because of personal and occupational ties) to Cyprus. Personal property, as referred to above, means items of a non-commercial nature which are transferred into the country for personal / household use. It should be mentioned that it is not necessary to hire the services of a customs agent when transferring personal property into Cyprus.

The transfer of such property to Cyprus with exemption from excise duties and VAT requires the furnishing of proof of the Community status of the items by the production of a T2L document or by the marking of the loading list with the symbol ‘T2L’ or by the production of other commercial documents.

Private motor vehicles and motor cycles of EU citizens intending to become established in Cyprus are subject to excise duties when the engine size exceeds 100 cc. Used vehicles with European registration plates are assumed to be from the European Union and are subject to excise duties and other luxury taxes.

In the case of some items, such as tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, the quantities which travellers may bring in personally from EU Member States are restricted. The limits per EU citizen travelling to Cyprus are as follows: 800 cigarettes, 400 cheroots (cigars with a unit weight not exceeding three grammes), 200 cigars, one kilo of smoking tobacco, 10 litres of alcoholic beverages, 20 litres of intermediate products (Koumantaria, Muscat, Madeira, Vermouth, Sherry, etc.), 90 litres of wine (of which no more than 60 litres may be sparkling wine) and 110 litres of beer.

It must be emphasised that the transfer to Cyprus of certain items, such as narcotics, nuclear, chemical, toxic and biological weapons, biological items and related substances, obscene publications and objects, forged banknotes and certain types of firearm, is prohibited. Further Information

• Department of Customs and Excise

Tel: 22 601 657 and 22 601 658

• Europe Direct

Tel:00 800 6789 1011

European citizens can go to the Europe Direct website free of charge from any of the 25 countries of the EU. The number 8000 11 12 can be phoned from within Cyprus, and the Euro-direct number + 357 8000 11 12 can be phoned directly from EU countries.

• Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the European Union

Tel: + 32 2 73 53 510

Transfer of Animals

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 to non-commercial movements of pet animals kept for companionship.

The transfer of the animal must not be of a commercial nature.

‘Animals kept for companionship’ means cats, dogs and ferrets. The sale or transfer of such an animal to another owner is prohibited. The animal must be accompanied by its owner (a natural person) or by a person who is responsible for it.

Dogs of the following breeds may not be imported into Cyprus from any country: American pit bull terriers or pit bull terriers

• Japanese tosa
• tosa Inu
• Dogo Argentino
• Argentinian mastiffs
• fila brasileiro
• Brazilian mastiffs

Animals younger than three months old may not be imported into Cyprus from any country.

Each animal must be accompanied by a European pet animal passport (Decision 2003/803/2003/ÅÊ) certifying its identity on the basis of an indelible mark (tattoo) or through the use of a transponder (microchip) manufactured in accordance with the specifications of ISO Standard 11784:1996 or in accordance with Annex A to ISO Standard 11785:1996 which is compatible with and can be read by the radio identification apparatus of the Veterinary Services.

The animal must have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before its arrival in Cyprus and have been treated against tapeworm with a preparation containing the active ingredient Praziquantel and against external parasites with a preparation containing the active ingredient Fibronil 24–48 hours before arrival.

Any person 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 confirm that they possess the documents that they will need to produce in order to certify fulfilment of the requirements imposed by the legislation. Transfer of Plants

The only restrictions on the transfer of plants to the territory of the Republic of Cyprus are those which apply to the plants listed in Annex V to Directive 2000/29/EC. A phytosanitary certificate is required for the plants listed in that Annex.

General

No duty or tax is payable in respect of animals and plants transferred to Cyprus provided that the animal or plant is free of legal impediment (i.e. was imported lawfully into the EU, with payment of the appropriate duties, or was bred or generated in the EU) and given compliance with the regulations in force Further Information

• Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment:

Tel: 22 300 817

    Fax: 22 781 156
  * Veterinary Services: 
    Animal Health and Welfare Section 
    Email - DVS.Paphos@vs.moa.gov.cy

    Paphos District Veterinary Station 
    Tel: 26 306 269 
    Email - DVS.Paphos@vs.moa.gov.cy 
     

Moving of Cars

Persons who wish to transfer a used private vehicle to Cyprus from an EU Member State are required to furnish proof of residence outside the Republic for 12 consecutive months prior to the transfer of their normal residence. They must also, in accordance with the relevant legislation, present evidence of the transfer of their normal residence and of permanent establishment in the Republic.

The term ‘used vehicle’ means a vehicle which has been driven for more than 6,000 Km and is more than six months old when it enters the Republic, calculated from the date of the first registration of the vehicle in whichever country. Especially in the case of granting relief for the vehicle, the 6,000 Km requirement is not applicable. It is sufficient for the vehicle to be more than six months old.

The requirements for the granting of relief from excise duty when transferring a vehicle to Cyprus are explained below.

The person making the transfer must have owned and used the vehicle at his place of normal residence for at least six months prior to the transfer of the normal residence to the Republic of Cyprus.

The vehicle must have been acquired under the general conditions of taxation applicable in the Member State and must not have qualified for any relief from or refund of any duty, excise duty or VAT (as evidenced, for example, by production of the invoice, the receipt for the purchase of the vehicle and the title of ownership).

The vehicle must arrive in the Republic within 12 months of the date of the transfer to Cyprus of the normal residence of the person effecting the transfer.

Each person may transfer only one vehicle, and the person making a transfer must hold a valid driving licence. The vehicle may not be sold, placed for sale, hired out or commodated (loaned without payment) without the prior approval of the Director of the Department of Customs and Excise.

In order to qualify for relief from excise duty, the person transferring the vehicle must submit a written application via ÁÐ1 the form to any Customs and Excise Department and produce the following documents:

• certificates pertaining to the registration of the vehicle (vehicle insurance, the purchase invoice, the certificate of ownership, the receipt for the purchase)
• the loading list receipt
• a valid driving licence
• supporting evidence relating to the country of normal residence (income tax statements, social insurance statements, employment letters, bills, receipts of daily expenses, water bills, electricity bills, telephone bills, bank account statements, etc.)

Persons who wish to effect a transfer are advised to contact the Department of Customs and Excise for detailed information.

A person who transfers a vehicle to Cyprus in accordance with the requirements set out above must go to the customs station within 24 hours of the arrival of the vehicle (excluding non-working days) to settle the customs procedure for the relief from excise duties.

A person who effects a transfer should contact the Road Traffic Department for information about the provisions on vehicle registration tax and road tax. It should be noted that the registration tax and road tax vary according to engine size. In order to be registered in Cyprus, a vehicle being transferred by a European citizen must be given a technical inspection by a private technical inspection centre before undergoing the relevant inspection by a state Technical Inspection Centre. After the vehicle has passed both of the technical inspections it can be registered in accordance with the relevant legislation. A private motor vehicle may be registered in the Republic regardless of its age subject to the furnishing of documentation proving that the first registration of the vehicle occurred in an EU Member State.

Left-hand drive vehicles may be registered provided that:

• the applicant has owned the vehicle for at least 180 days before its arrival in Cyprus and resided abroad for more than five years before his arrival in Cyprus

Further Information

• Department of Customs:

Tel: 22 601 657 and 22 601 658.

• Road Traffic Department:

Tel: 22 807 000 / 22 807 117

Moving of Financial Assets

Capital may be brought freely into Cyprus from countries of the European Union. Any citizens of Europe who is resident in Cyprus can open an account at a bank which operates in Cyprus by completing the necessary forms and providing evidence of identity in accordance with the provisions of the Banking Operations Law and the relevant Directive of the Central Bank of Cyprus which requests from all banks to implement procedures for identification of their customers, record keeping, the effecting of remittances and checking of the source and legality of capital passing through the Cypriot banking system, as well as other procedures to prevent money laundering. Under this Directive acceptance of cash deposits exceeding $100,000 or the equivalent in other foreign currencies in one transaction or in one calendar year from any person (resident or non-resident) or group of linked persons can only be given with the prior written approval of the bank’s Compliance Officer.

In addition, the Capital Movements Law of 2003 requires a person entering or leaving from Cyprus with banknotes or gold with a value of €12,500 or above, or with the equivalent in another currency, to complete a form declaring the import / export and to deliver the form to a competent official of the Department of Customs.

Information about the detailed procedures for the opening of accounts in Cyprus and for money transfers can be obtained from the Central Bank Tel: 22 714100 and the commercial banks.

All EU citizens living as residents in Cyprus are legally entitled to vote in certain Cypriot elections, specifically: Local Municipal Elections and European Parliamentary ElectionsAn EU citizen may also stand as a candidate in Municipal and European Parliamentary elections under the same conditions a Cypriot national. To be eligible to vote, a person must be at least 18 years old. Note: Registration to vote in either of these elections does not automatically qualify a voter for the other. Registration must be made separately for each. Registering to Vote in Municipal Elections, In order to vote in municipal elections in Cyprus, EU citizens must submit an application to be entered on the special electoral roll. Once an EU citizens has been entered on this roll they remain registered as long as they are resident in Cyprus, unless they apply to be removed from the electoral rolls. Application to be entered can be made at any time, to the local regional administration. Voting in Cyprus is compulsory, therefore an EU citizen on the special electors roll must exercise their voting rights. They may apply for removal from the voters roll by submitting an application to the regional administration at least fifteen days before elections. Information from the EU website Europa: For information contact: Ministry of the Interior, Elections Department, 1453 Nicosia Tel: 22867714 Fax: 226 78486 Voting in European Parliamentary Elections. EU nationals, over the age of 18 may vote in European Parliamentary Elections, and any national over 25 is eligible to stand as candidate for Member of the European Parliament (MEP). An EU citizen voting in Cyprus for elections for the European Parliament forfeits the right to vote in another EU country.

English is the second language and is widely spoken. A knowledge of French and German is increasingly noticeable. • The currency of the Republic of Cyprus is the now the Euro since the first of January 2008. • Banks in Cyprus open for the public from 08:30 to 12:30 midday. Certain banks in tourist areas open during the afternoon. Automatic Exchange Machines operate on a 24-hour basis. Most currencies and denominations are accepted. • The voltage on the island of Cyprus is 240 and the socket outlets are of the flat 3 pin-type. • All types of medication are available in well stocked Pharmacies all over Cyprus. • Telephone: Cyprus automatic telephone dialing system reaches 206 countries. Telecards can be purchased from Post Offices, Kiosks and Souvenir Shops. • It is forbidden to remove antiquities from the bottom of the sea, or to take any antiquities out of Cyprus without a special export license. • Visitors should respect ecclesiastical tradition and avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless garments in churches and monasteries. • Public holidays: January 1,6, March 25, April 1, May 1, August 15, October 1, 28, December 24, 25, 26. There are another four public holidays whose dates are variable. These are: Green Monday (50 days before the Greek Orthodox Easter), Good Friday and Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Easter) and Pentecost. • Short cruises to the Greek islands, Egypt, Lebanon and the Holy Land can be taken on one of the many comfortable cruise ships which offer full board accommodation and entertainment at very reasonable prices. Shopping Hours • April, May, September 15 - October 08:00-19:00 (Friday: 08:00-20:00) • November to March 08:00-18:00 (Friday:08:00-19:00) • June - September 14 08:00-13:00 and 16:00-19:30 (Friday: 16:00-20:30) Shops are closed all day Sunday and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Climate • The climate in Cyprus is equable, with an abundance of sunny days throughout the year. • The average daytime temperature in Cyprus from June to September is 32 degrees C°, from December to February 16 degrees C° and from March to May, and October to November, 25 degrees C°. • Very cool, cotton clothes are recommended for the hot summer months, jackets and light sweaters may be required for the evenings during May and June, September and October, and warm clothes are worn during the winter months. End of January and February are very changeable, high winds and rain, and can be very cold, but the sun always puts in an appearance on a daily basis. Getting around The Island • Driving in Cyprus is on the left hand side of the road. • Distances between towns are not lengthy. • The trans-urban service-taxis are shared taxis, very reasonably priced, connecting (during daytime) the main towns of Lefkosia, Lemesos, Larnaca and Pafos during daytime. • There are many car rental companies in Cyprus, and the top international names are ail represented. Petrol stations in all seaside areas and major towns are equipped with automatic pumps, accepting bank notes and operating on a 24-hour basis. On Sundays and Public Holidays. petrol stations in rural areas may open. •A number of experienced tourist companies organize efficiently run tours, in modern air-conditioned coaches, with multilingual guides. •Buses connect the main towns of Cyprus, and there is a yellow bus service run by the Municipality within the old city of Nicosia. •Yacht charter is available in Limassol and Larnaca, with or without a crew.

Please feel free to browse through the useful information sections in the menu to the right of the screen. You have a whole host of information there to make it easier for you to stay abreast of issues when buying property in Cyprus. Ideally, it is best to be on location when looking at property but we realize that so many of us are time-poor which means it’s hard to spend hours literally window shopping and driving around town inspecting properties.

New research shows the internet can expose a property to 90 per cent of the market’s buyers which is a remarkable statistic. New generations of buyers are becoming increasingly dependent on the internet because it provides more detailed information in a snapshot.

Unlike other real estate websites, we provide as much information as we can and of, course, each property has ASK a Question box at the right hand corner where you can drop us a line with any questions you may have about any issues relating to property or Just email us

Our website is a tremendous time-saver, especially if you are a foreign buyer. All the details are there and we have been successful in selling over the net. Increasingly though, many local Cypriots recognise the excellent value out range of properties represent and keep a keen eye on the web, and of course, are keen buyers.