by hincyprus » Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:43 pm
A couple of points that may help and have not yet been discussed and will affect your living in the "North" but working in the South.
It is worth noting I am a Brit living in the ROC.
At this moment of time, any EU citizen can enter the ROC via any port, airport etc freely.
This does not apply to entering the ROC via the "North". For example:
I had to travel to Antalya in Turkey recently and the obvious route was Limassol to Nicosia, then Kyrenia. Take a ferry to Turkey, (2 hours) then drive 1 hour to Antalya..........I wish it was possible. Cyprus to Greece. Greece to Istanbul. Istanbul to Antalya.......12 hours.
I checked this through, ROC immigration, customs and the British Embassy. I was not allowed to enter or leave the ROC by this route.
In the eyes of the EU community and the ROC the "North" is not recognised other than by Turkey and Azerbijan, therefore it is not a legal point of entry by a EU citizen.
If you are a TC then you can enter and work in the ROC quite freely and legally. Many do.
You asked the following questions, some of which have been answered:
1) what is the tax deduction rate from salaries?
this has been answered
2)Being from the UK, do i need a work visa?
you need to register via imigration for a residents permit allowing work. It will not be refused. As you are an EU citizen.
3)thinking of living in the north but working in the south, can this be done, is it worth while?
see my reply above.
4)is the cost of living greatly different between the north and south?
very different. But there is little work available in your line in the North.
5)what are the schools like?
In the ROC excellent. Most ex pats use the private system as teaching is in English. If your child attends a Cyprus state school the teaching is in Greek.
6)how easy/difficult is it to get Cypriat residence? and working visas if required.
see answer to question 2.
7) what is the employment like for computer engineers/system administrators.
They are available and more and more are being advertised in papers such as the Cyprus Weekly. They have a web site and subscription service.
With regard to renting in the ROC. As an idea I have several friends who have properties they rent long term. Here are three examples:
Pareklishia (East of Limassol) 15 mins to town centre of Limassol.
3 bed brand new house. With A/C, C/H and pool. Let for 2 years C£650 per month. Furnished
Ypsonas..West of Limassol. More of a suburb. 15 mins to town centre Limassol.
3 bed house, 3 years old. A/C, C/H. no pool. Rental just finished..C£600 per month. Furnished
Panthea. 10 mins from Limassol centre. Estate house, 4/5 years old couple of A/C. no C/H. no pool. Part furnished. C£375 to 450 per month for long term....available.
All these houses will be plus bills.
Other costs. Based upon my own costs. I live in a 4 bed villa with swimming pool, with 4 dogs (plus the wife) and two cats, central heating and A/C. As we are on top of a hill we get quite cold winds in winter so we do need C/H. Especially as we are acclimatized now......
These costs are actual per month. (unless noted) in C£.
Food (inc animals) 160
Elec Summer (A/c etc) 120 per two months
Elec Winter 85 per two months
Water 100 per annum
We do not have gas.
Heating oil 300/400 per annum
Local rates 8
House Insurance 40 includes content cover.
car insurance 1 20 car value C£15000)
car insurance 2 15 car value C£5000 ) Both comp
car servicing/tyres 15
Health ins (2 persons) 75 Both over 55yrs
Tel/broadband connection 42
mobiles 2 12
Fuel 2 cars 60/80
Car road tax 1and 2 23
Speeding fines 7 What a bummer both nicked
social inc smoker (me) 280/320 We try eat out 2 times/week
Pool chemical 10
Garden 20
Sundries 50
Obviously we have other costs if we travel, computer inks etc etc
But this list should give you a good idea.
Sorry it is so long but no one else seems to have actually answered your queries.
Hope its of help.
H
