Advantages & Disadvantages

What to take into account

There are both advantages and disadvantages to buying a home in Cyprus, although for most people the benefits outweigh any drawbacks.

Some of the many advantages have been outlined above; here is a summary of the main advantages.

Guaranteed sunshine and high temperatures for most of the year;
A very low crime rate;
Low taxation, especially for retirees;
An excellent quality of life;
A particularly low cost of living;
A slow, relaxed pace of life;
The friendliness and warmth of the Cypriot people;
90 per cent of the Cypriot population speak English.
For Britons, there’s the added advantage that Cypriot legal and financial procedures are similar to those in the UK.

Naturally, there are also a few disadvantages, including:

Unexpected renovation and restoration costs if you buy an old property (and if you don’t do your homework);
The dangers of buying a property with debts and other problems (if you don’t take legal advice);
Restrictions on letting your property;
Overcrowding in popular tourist areas during the peak summer season;
Traffic congestion and pollution in some towns;
Water shortages in some regions (particularly during the summer);
The expense and time spent getting to and from Cyprus if you own a home there.