If you’ve never considered retiring in Cyprus, why not? The country is an attractive opportunity for retirees in more than one way. Apart from year-round sunshine, Cyprus has all the things that are essential for retirement: excellent health care, a relatively low cost of living, a comfortable lifestyle, lots of fun activities – and perhaps most importantly for you – retirement – there is rates tax. Too low for retirees.
Maybe you are only a few years away from retirement and starting to plan for the future. If you are still active, your retirement in Cyprus could be the start of your new life. Retirement in Cyprus allows you to enjoy new life and the joys of a beautiful Mediterranean island, and you are safe knowing that apart from all the sunshine, all the necessary things in life are taken care of.
Health care in Cyprus
Another thing that could influence your decision to retire in Cyprus is your level of health care, which is an important priority regardless of your age. Public and private health facilities in Cyprus are of a high standard, and because the Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union, retirees from other EU countries are entitled to free or low-cost healthcare in the public sector. Retirees must obtain Form E121 from their home country and in the UK from the Department of Labor and Pensions (see contact details above). On arrival in Cyprus, you will need to take the E121 to your government health center or hospital where a medical card will be issued for you. There are two types of health cards, one for free medical treatment and one for low-cost treatment. The type of card you get depends on your annual income (including pension) and personal circumstances. Further information is available on the website of the Cyprus Ministry of Health.
Cost of living in Cyprus
The cost of living is another important factor if you are considering retiring in Cyprus. Although prices have risen over the past few years, they are still relatively low, especially when compared to other popular pension sites. Fresh locally grown fruit and vegetables can be purchased cheaply in season and a meal at a local bar costs, on average, around 16 € per person, including wine.
Leisure and golf activities in Cyprus
If you are wondering what to do in all this free time, Cyprus offers endless entertainment activities to keep you busy and active. There are hiking and biking along some of the scenic nature trails on the picturesque Akamas Peninsula, horseback riding and all kinds of water sports, or skiing in the Troodos Mountains in winter. These are just a few of the small options to enjoy the wonderful outdoor lifestyle in Cyprus. There is also a lot of golf – a very popular hobby for retirees in Cyprus. For those who love the game, Cyprus actually has three championship golf courses near Paphos and one near Limassol. The Cyprus Tourism Organization is committed to setting up 14 golf courses on the island over the next few years, and several well-known golfers such as Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus have lent their names to develop the golf course. The final training course is under construction outside Larnaca, in the village of Tersifano, and is scheduled for completion in 2010.
Residence permit in Cyprus
So, if you’ve decided that Cyprus is the right place for your retirement, all you need to know right now is how to apply for a residence permit. You can stay in Cyprus for up to 90 days without permission if you are a citizen of the European Union or a citizen of any other country, including the United States, Canada, and Australia (a full list of eligible countries is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus). You need to apply for an immigration permit (Category F) through the Aliens and District Immigration Department or the Immigration Department at your local police station. There are departments in every major city. You must submit your application (on Form M.67) with proof that you have sufficient annual income to support yourself. The current minimum is 5,600 Cypriot pesos (roughly 7,600 pounds / 9,600 euros), although each case is considered separately for its benefits. The amount is per person and there is an additional amount of 2,700 Cypriot pesos (3,700 pounds sterling / approx. 4,600 euros) per dependent. Residence permits are issued for a period of five years and are usually automatically renewed upon request.