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LIVING AND WORKING IN CYPRUS INTRODUCTION Where is Cyprus? INTRODUCTION Brief historical background INTRODUCTION (cont.) 1878-1960: British rule 1960-Independent republic 1974-Military coup-Turkish Invasion Population around 805.500 - 80% Greek Cypriots - 11% Turkish Cypriots - 9% foreigners WORKING IN CYPRUS Migration and registration - Who can work? EU Nationals need no visa or work permit Alien’s Registration Certificate (ARC) Registration Certificate EU nationals have the same rights as Cypriots WORKING IN CYPRUS (cont.) - What will you need? Apply for an ARC (at the local Immigration Branch of the Police) Apply for a Registration Certificate Passport or ID card Valid for 5 years Apply for Social Insurance number (upon securing employment) FINDING A JOB Public Employment Service - Register at District Labour Office Passport or ID Card Certificates/diplomas/ qualifications Private Employment agencies/job databases - Especially managerial and highly specialized jobs - Free to job seekers-complaints - List of private agencies upon request – no website -Own job database – CV online FINDING A JOB (cont.) Newspapers/websites www.cyprus.gov.cy (link to main newspapers) - National database www.pescps.dl.mlsi.gov.cy - EURES Database http://ec.europa.eu/eures Applying for a job • Letter of application accompanied by a CV • No standard letter or CV • Usually no references PURSUIT OF PROFESSIONS WHICH ARE REGULATED Different procedure Labour Dept. as National Focal Point on procedures as well as informing on “competent bodies” STARTING WORK Wages/collective agreements • Agreed with employer, or based on collective agreements Minimum wage … €743 (…€789) • Complaints • • STARTING WORK (cont.) Taxation Apply for a Taxpayer’s Identification Code – fill in Form IR 163A • Personal income tax – according to level of income per year: • • Up to €19.500….. …………… 0% tax rate €19.501-€28.000 …… 20% tax rate €28.001-€36.300 ........ 25% tax rate over €36.301 …………..….. 30% tax rate • Deducted monthly • • SOCIAL SECURITY General earnings related Social Insurance Scheme, covering compulsorily every employed or self employed person (Social Insurance Department) For employed: • 6,3% paid by employee • 6,3 paid by employer • 4% by State For self employed: • 11,6% paid by self employed • 4% by State Social Security (cont.) Transferring your social insurance benefits • • Reg. EC 1408/71 governs the retention and transfer of social security entitlements when moving from one member state to another Reciprocal arrangements on social security with 4 non-EU countries Social Security (cont.) Kinds of benefits • • • Marriage Maternity allowance Sickness, etc Free medical treatment to victims of industrial accidents and occupational diseases and to invalidity pensioners Social Security (cont.) Sickness benefit Payable for 156 days. Waiting period of 3 days/6 days. Unemployment benefit Payable for max. 156 days. Waiting period of 3 days/30 days. Website: www.mlsi.gov.cy/sid HEALTH SYSTEM Government provision of health care is funded out of general taxation Three systems of health services: 1. 2. 3. Government (public) health sector Private health sector Special schemes HEALTH SYSTEM (cont.) Government (public) health sector • • • Free of charge (through government facilities, according to earnings or disability criteria) At reduced fees Paying patients HEALTH SYSTEM (cont.) 2. Private health sector 3. Special schemes Issue of medical card: • Application form from public hospitals • Ministry of Health LIVING IN CYPRUS Relocating from another country - Pets • • • • Owner identity Vaccinated European Pet Passport EU origin Relocating from another country (cont.) - Car • • • • Temporary importation, not obliged to register if accompanied by proper certificates of registration and valid circulation licenses A European citizen holding a valid driving license of his country can drive on the roads of Cyprus. Third party insurance cover Inspection before registration - Accommodation Apartments, houses, villas • Rent depending on area • Advertisements in all newspapers/real estate agents -Education system Compulsory education until 15 • Ministry of Education and Culture www.moec.gov.cy - Shops • • • • Winter period Summer period Summer afternoon recess (“siesta”) Tourist areas - Cultural and social life www.visitcyprus.org.cy - Transport • Private car • Public transportation network • Inter-city Service Taxi • Driving on left-hand side CHEKLIST (Before moving to take up employment) EURES CYPRUS e-mail account: [email protected] Thanks for your attention!