General
We come from the tech world, being a team of entrepreneurs, engineers and tech VCs. We started the Paperclip Operation in February 2022 answering the need of our own companies and our portfolio companies.
The need is very simple – to work on technological exciting global projects. Since we already had activities and live in Cyprus, this was a natural choice.
We are helping people find engineering jobs, and build their teams and companies in new countries. But we also help build lives here – from finding schools to organizing communities, we want people to have a home here.
You can find a bit more info here ==> About Us
Employment
- As of 1 January 2019, the employees’ own contribution to the state-administered social insurance fund is 8.3% of their gross remuneration, with a maximum annual cap on insurable emoluments as of 1 January 2022 of EUR 58,080. The rate of 8.3% applies to both employees and employers up to 31 December 2023. Thereafter, the rate will increase every five years until it reaches 10.7% as of 1 January 2039.
- As of 1 January 2019, the contributions of self-employed persons are 15.6% of their income (14.6% for 2014 through 2018). Thereafter, the rate will increase every five years until it reaches 20.4% as of 1 January 2039. The amount of the contributions are subject to a lower and a maximum limit, depending on the profession or trade of the self-employed person. These limits are set on an annual basis.
Contributions to GESY are mandatory. The amounts of contributions are presented in the table (as of October 2022):
| Contributors Categories | Contribution | Explanation |
| Employees (Public and Private Sector) |
2,65% | On their salaries |
| Employers (Including the State as an Employer) | 2,90% | On the salaries of every person employed by them |
| Self-employed | 4,00% | On their remuneration |
| Pensioners | 2,65% | On their pension |
| Income earners (e.g. rent, interest, dividends) | 2,65% | On their income |
The maximum amount paid per person per year is € 180,000.
Same sex couples cannot legally parent a child together in Cyprus. They cannot adopt a child together or be recognised as the parent of a child who was conceived by a female partner through medically assisted reproduction. They are also not eligible to apply for surrogacy.
Maternity benefit starts at 72 per cent of the mother’s salary with the first child. The percentage increases to 80 per cent, 90 per cent or 100 per cent, with the second, third and fourth child respectively.
Paternity benefit starts at 72 per cent of the father’s salary with the first child. The percentage increases to 80 per cent, 90 per cent or 100 per cent, with the second, third and fourth child respectively
Parental leave is not getting paid.
Pregnant workers are entitled to a maternity leave of 18 weeks in total (of which 11 are compulsory and are allocated as follows: two before the week of the expected birth and the rest after birth), provided that the pregnant worker provides the necessary medical certificate that states the estimated date of delivery. 22 weeks for the second child, and 26 weeks for the third (or subsequent) child, including for adoption or surrogacy.
For a period of nine (9) months from birth, or from the day the maternity leave starts in case of adoption, the working mother has the right to either interrupt her employment for one hour or go to work one hour later or leave work one hour earlier every day. It is noted that this hour is considered and paid as working time.
Fathers are entitled to 2 consecutive weeks of paid paternity leave within the 16 weeks following the birth of a child, paid by the Social Insurance Fund at 75.20% of the employee’s regular salary.
The right to parental leave covers all employees who have children under the age of 8. According to the law, every eligible employee can take up unpaid parental leave of up to eighteen weeks for each child.
| Chargeable income for the tax year (€) | Tax rate (%) | Accumulated tax (€) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 19,500 | 0 | 0 |
| 19,501 | 28,000 | 20 | 1,700 |
| 28,001 | 36,300 | 25 | 3,775 |
| 36,301 | 60,000 | 30 | 10,885 |
| 60,001 | and above | 35 |
There are special exceptions and deductions for people working in international companies and not being domiciled in Cyprus (like ours for example), but since we are not a tax advising company, we would recommend that you check with our partner company C.X.Financia Ltd. who handles things like this.
Some examples:
- Foreign pension income is taxed at the flat rate of 5% on amounts over €3.420. The taxpayer can however on an annual basis elect to be taxed at the normal tax rates and bands set out above.
- Cyprus source widow(er)’s pension is taxed at the flat rate of 20% on amounts over €19.500. The taxpayer can however on an annual basis elect to be taxed at the normal tax rates and bands set out above.
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Interest, except for interest arising from ordinary business activities or closely related to the ordinary business activities of an individual is exempt.
Pages that will give you a rough estimate of your income tax are:
Salaries are paid at the end of each calendar month. The first salary gets paid at the end of the month you obtained your ARC in, with the employment starting the date you obtain your ARC.
Living and working in Cyprus
Although most foreigners would think that here the Post Office is your best option .. there are at least 2 companies that have offices all around the island and will, for little cost, deliver documents and parcels often on the same day across the island.
The three we most often have seen being used are:
and
Contributions to GESY are mandatory. The amounts of contributions are presented in the table (as of October 2022):
| Contributors Categories | Contribution | Explanation |
| Employees (Public and Private Sector) |
2,65% | On their salaries |
| Employers (Including the State as an Employer) | 2,90% | On the salaries of every person employed by them |
| Self-employed | 4,00% | On their remuneration |
| Pensioners | 2,65% | On their pension |
| Income earners (e.g. rent, interest, dividends) | 2,65% | On their income |
The maximum amount paid per person per year is € 180,000.
Visits to the therapist and in-patient treatment are free of charge. You will have to pay for the rest of the services and medicines. But the prices for them are minimal:
- for a visit to a specialized doctor by referral of a therapist – 6 euros
- for laboratory analysis – 1 euro
- for a prescription drug – 1 euro (regardless of its cost)
- for visiting the hospital in case of accidents and emergencies – 10 euros
For paid services, a so-called “ceiling” of prices has been introduced. For most of the users of GESY services, it is 150 euros per year. For low-income pensioners, recipients of the minimum guaranteed income and children under 18, it is 75 euros.
Types of GESY services
The system covers the following types of services:
- Appointments with the therapist (family doctor)
- Appointments with doctors practising in specific areas of medicine (for example, ophthalmologists, gynaecologists, osteopaths, etc.)
- Pharmacological drugs and medication
- Laboratory tests
- In-patient treatment (in hospitals and clinics)
- Medical assistance in case of accidents, injuries, etc.
- Ambulance services
- Services of nurses, midwives, clinical psychologists, clinical nutritionists, psychotherapists, defectologists and occupational therapists
- Preventive dentistry services
- Palliative care and rehabilitation
The Cyprus kitchen has a long history and combines a lot of other Mediterranean food into its own.
Listed here are some of the more famous dishes
- Halloumi – Traditional Cheese
- Kleftiko – Slow Cooked Lamb
- Trahanosoupa – Trahana Soup
Trahana or Tarhana is a dried cultural product of Bulgur wheat and sour milk or yogurt. The Cypriot usually make it at the end of summer, utilizing the warm weather to dry it out and store it for the colder months. - Hummus – Chickpea paste
- Spanakopita – Spinach Pies
- Talattouri– Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
The Cyprus way of the greek Tzatziki, but with olive oil, lemon, oregano and mint. - Tirokafteri – Spicy Feta Cheese Dip
- Taramosalata – Fish Roe Dip
- Souvla – Barbecued Meat
- Sheftalies – Cypriot Sausage
- Lountza – Cured Tenderloin
- Stifado – Stewed Beef
- Kouneli Stifado – Rabbit Stew
- Avgolemono Soup – Egg-Lemon Soup
- Flaouna – Easter Sweet Pastry
- Daktyla – Lady’s Fingers
- Bourekia – Fried Pastry
This pastry is something you only get in Cyprus. In most places, it is either filled with Anari or with some paste out of cinnamon and sugar. - Koupepia – Stuffed Vine Leaves
- Keftedes – Meatballs
- Tsamarella – Cured Goat MeatTsamarella used to be just a method to retain goat meat but has become a staple in Cypriot lunch recipes nowadays. It originates in the agricultural regions of Cyprus, including Marathasa Valley, Pitsilia, and Pafos, and you can still easily find it here nowadays.
Traditionally, the locals first remove the goat’s bones and let the whole goat dry out in the sun for a few days. Then, they’ll boil the goat in seasoned water and fill it with condiments and herbs. The goat was then placed out in the sunlight for one more day.
The result of Tsamarella is tender and somehow juicier than most cured meat. Besides the use of lunch meat, you can also enjoy it as a drinking bait. In addition, you can also find the lamb version of this delicacy.
- Pastourma – Spicy Cured Beef SausageThere are numerous ways to spell the name of this dish, as well as many etymologicon theories. Still, Pastourma is likely an invention of Ottoman cuisine.
The making process of Pastourma may take up to a month. It requires double pressing, first the cold press, then the hot press, interleaved with drying time. The cooks then cover the beef in a traditional paste made of garlic, red chilli pepper, and fenugreek seeds – called Cemen.
They will then set Pastourma to dry out once again. It’s also well known as a cultural Cypriot breakfast recipe served along with fried egg and Halloumi cheese. Otherwise, you can also use it as drinking bait.
- Afelia – Braised Pork
- Athoi Gemistoi – Stuffed zucchini blossom flowersAthoi are vegan Cypriot zucchini (courgette) flowers which are stuffed with rice, herbs and spices and cooked until the rice is soft.
- Louvi – Black eyed Peas
- Koucha – Broad Beans
Places to find recipes for traditional Cyprus food include:
Utility bills in your name are required at least in the following cases:
- proof of address for opening a bank account and for applying for residence
- proof that you have been staying at your registered address (the utility bills show consumption – you lived there)
- proof of address for insurance companies
If you are a citizen of an EU member state, your driving license is valid until it expires.
Driving licenses from the countries listed below are valid for visitors for a maximum of 90 days, or if resident 6 months (one hundred and eighty-five days). Then they must be exchanged for a Cyprus driving license:
- Australia
- Canada
- Georgia
- Iceland
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Russia
- Serbia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- UK
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- USA
- Zimbabwe
If you are from any other country we suggest obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) together with a current valid domestic driving licence. Those are usually valid until the IDP expires, giving you enough time to get a new one in Cyprus.
For more information on driving in Cyprus and everything regarding keeping or obtaining your driving license, please check the “All about driving in Cyprus” site.
The easiest is to follow the events groups on Facebook. Here is a first list you can use:
The Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in May 2004 and adopted the € as its currency at the beginning of 2008. Cyprus is scheduled for joining Schengen Area in the near future as well.
Greek is the national language in the Republic of Cyprus, but good English is widely spoken with most signage also translated into English. There are large Russian, German, British, Polish and Israeli communities as well.
Here are some English writing news Sites
After you have obtained your Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) and the relevant residence permit and you have been registered with the Cyprus Social Insurance Service (done by your employer), you should:
- Submit a GHS enrolment request by creating a User Account at http://www.gesy.org.cy . There you will be given instructions how to activate your User Account.
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Once you create and activate your portal User Account, you can sign in to the Beneficiary Portal and proceed with the submission of a GHS enrolment request by following the simple instructions in the system.
After you have done this, you must choose a Personal Doctor and register to his list either online via the Beneficiary Portal or by visiting him/her at his/her office.
Same sex couples cannot legally parent a child together in Cyprus. They cannot adopt a child together or be recognised as the parent of a child who was conceived by a female partner through medically assisted reproduction. They are also not eligible to apply for surrogacy.
Maternity benefit starts at 72 per cent of the mother’s salary with the first child. The percentage increases to 80 per cent, 90 per cent or 100 per cent, with the second, third and fourth child respectively.
Paternity benefit starts at 72 per cent of the father’s salary with the first child. The percentage increases to 80 per cent, 90 per cent or 100 per cent, with the second, third and fourth child respectively
Parental leave is not getting paid.
Pregnant workers are entitled to a maternity leave of 18 weeks in total (of which 11 are compulsory and are allocated as follows: two before the week of the expected birth and the rest after birth), provided that the pregnant worker provides the necessary medical certificate that states the estimated date of delivery. 22 weeks for the second child, and 26 weeks for the third (or subsequent) child, including for adoption or surrogacy.
For a period of nine (9) months from birth, or from the day the maternity leave starts in case of adoption, the working mother has the right to either interrupt her employment for one hour or go to work one hour later or leave work one hour earlier every day. It is noted that this hour is considered and paid as working time.
Fathers are entitled to 2 consecutive weeks of paid paternity leave within the 16 weeks following the birth of a child, paid by the Social Insurance Fund at 75.20% of the employee’s regular salary.
The right to parental leave covers all employees who have children under the age of 8. According to the law, every eligible employee can take up unpaid parental leave of up to eighteen weeks for each child.
Some Bio and Organic stuff are available in the large supermarkets, Metro, Sklavenidis and Alpha Mega. For example Ecover liquid detergent.
Happy Cow lists some Vegan Options for Larnaca:
Then there are some Bio shops in Larnaca:
Nicosia:
Limassol:
Paphos:
Those who prefer to rent a property will find that newspaper advertisements and online searches are the best places to start looking. Estate agents can be very helpful in these situations, but they always require a certain fee to be paid. Every potential customer should be aware that rental fees in Cyprus can be quite substantial, so maybe some of our employees should also consider house-sharing options.
Deposits are usually 2 months’ rent, very few places require a 4 or 6 months deposit.
When it comes to utility bills, tenants are generally responsible for their own expenses. It can be very costly and always factored into the housing budget. It is also important to know that Cyprus has a progressive water-taxation system, so everyone should think twice before deciding to water the garden or re-fill the house pool.
The general standard of accommodation in Cyprus can be considered quite good, as most of the property on the island is fairly new and in good shape. Heating and air conditioning systems are usually installed, and the majority of houses in Cyprus have a shared or private pool.
Rented apartments on the island are generally furnished, while the houses are usually unfurnished. It is useful to know that shipping furniture to the Republic of Cyprus is a viable option, especially from within the European Union. If this is not an option, the IKEA factory in Nicosia makes buying furniture very feasible. Many expats report disappointment with the second-hand furniture market in Cyprus. we were quite successful with second-hand furniture but YMMV.
When it comes to the cost of living in the Republic of Cyprus, the prices vary depending on the location and the service provider. Limassol is probably the most expensive, followed by Nicosia, Larnaca and Paphos being the cheapest. The Famagusta district is then split. Protaras is the most expensive, and Agya Napa is probably the cheapest.
When you rent a place make sure that your tenancy agreement is for at least 1 year, since this is a requirement by the immigration and that the utility bills are in your name. The utility bills are required by banks and insurances as proof of address and also on extension of your work permit/visa as proof that you resided in the appartment.
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Select a suitable property, agree on a price with the owner (via the real estate agent if used) and pay a reservation fee via your solicitor.
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Solicitor draws up the contract.
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The contract is signed and a further deposit or the full outstanding amount is paid.
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Within 30 days of signing the contract, pay stamp duty of 1.5% per €1000, up to the value of €100,000, and 2% per €1000 on any amount above that, and property tax which is typically around CYGBP4,000 on a property costing €100,000.
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Once the contract is signed, the solicitor applies to the Council of Ministers for approval for the title deeds to be transferred into your name.
The application to the Council of Ministers is a formality, as applications are seldom refused. The process may take many months, but there are no restrictions on taking ownership and living in the property while the application is being processed. The application to the Council of Ministers should include a bank reference, character reference, property purchase contract, documentation showing evidence of adequate funds to live in Cyprus (an employment agreement with paperclip for example), and a copy of your passport.
If you require, we can help you with finding the right solicitor for this as well.
- Scan of your passport
- Criminal Record
- Scan of Diplomas
- CV (must contain at least your duties from the last two years, better more)
- Scan of passports of family members
- Marriage certificate
- Criminal record of your spouse
- Birth certificates of children
All documents need to be ratified by an apostille if not from the EU, Serbia or Russia.
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If you have a Cypriot Bank Account, the online and mobile banking apps usually have a special menu point “utility bills”, which include most utility bills and are a little bit cheaper to transfer.
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If you prefer paying for everything with a credit card, you should register at https://www.jccsmart.com and pay via them. JCC is the main Cyprus credit card clearing company and JCC Smart is a pay-by-card interface for most Cypriot institutions, insurance etc…
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Make sure to keep your utility bills at least for a couple of months since your utility bills are your proof of residence for banks, insurance, governmental offices etc.
State education in Cyprus is well developed and well regulated. It is controlled by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
School attendance is compulsory from ages 5 to 15. Tuition is provided free, up to and including the undergraduate level. College and university education is provided through direct funding from the institution.
There are several choices for education in Cyprus:
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Children can be enrolled from age 3 in nurseries or kindergartens, public or private. The final pre-school year (age 5) is now mandatory and state-supported
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Primary school runs from age 6 – 11
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Basic secondary school runs from age 12 – 15
Students are then faced with a choice to continue in the academic stream – Lyceum runs from age 16 – 18 – or to enrol in vocational/technical colleges, where the duration of tuition will vary depending on the profession or occupation chosen. For those attending the vocational colleges or taking apprenticeships, there is also the chance of further advancement through technical universities, and there are many institutions for professions such as teaching.
Those studying at the Lyceum can sit a University Entrance Exam if they wish.
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schools – is moving mid-year possible, when to apply, how to apply etc
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primary schools
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Information source: Ministry of education – primary education department
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All information can be found there including what schools are available, also private, admission cost, period etc…
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secondary schools
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All information is available at the Ministry of education – secondary education department
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The Jewish Private School is in Limassol: King David Private School and is run by Chabad Lubavitch
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Student tickets
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By the implementation of the new system which governs public transport, students could easily use the bus for any route at any time and for free. For this purpose, it was considered right that every school unit provides students with student ID cards, which students will have to show every time they use public transport. Every student ID card will be valid only for one school year and a new one will be issued each year until the student is dismissed.
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All information regarding the relocation process can be found on if you click here ==> Relocation Procedure
