Moving to Cyprus from the UK

Why British movers pick Cyprus

Cyprus is the most British-friendly move in the EU: English is spoken everywhere, driving is on the left, the legal system is built on English common law, and around 70,000 UK nationals already live here. Post-Brexit you need a residence permit rather than free movement, but the routes are well trodden and Cyprus processes them routinely.

The tax comparison in plain numbers

The headline comparison: UK additional-rate taxpayers face 45% on income and up to 39.35% on dividends. A Cyprus non-dom pays 0% tax on dividends and interest for 17 years, with only the 2.65% GHS health contribution (capped) on top. UK capital gains tax on share sales runs up to 24%, while Cyprus charges individuals 0% on securities gains.

The full mechanics of the Cyprus side, including the 60-day residency rule and the GHS cap, are in the non-dom guide, and the running costs of the company most people pair with it are in the company cost guide.

Leaving the UK: what to check before you go

The UK has no general exit tax for individuals, but two rules catch people. The temporary non-residence rules claw back tax on gains and certain income if you return to the UK within 5 years, so a short experiment can undo the benefit. And the Statutory Residence Test decides when you actually stop being UK resident, counting days and ties, not intentions. Plan your departure year with someone who does this weekly.

The practical side

Flights run year-round from most UK airports (4.5-5 hours). Paphos and Larnaca host the biggest British communities, and UK pensions can be paid to Cyprus with favourable treatment under the UK-Cyprus treaty. If you're bringing a car, RHD vehicles from the UK suit Cyprus's left-side driving, though post-Brexit imports attract duty and VAT without transfer-of-residence relief.

Choosing where to land matters as much as the tax: see where to live in Cyprus, and if wheels are part of the plan, buying or importing a car.