1. When it comes to choosing an international moving company to organise my move, should I opt for a company that is local to me?
Not necessarily. The key to a stress free process when moving to Cyprus is choosing a company that is experienced in shipping to and from Cyprus. They don’t need to be located close to you. Look for a company who are members of the British Association of Removers and FIDI to give peace of mind that your move will be professionally organised both in the UK and at the destination. Book a pre-move survey to not only obtain a quotation for the move, but to also speak to their surveyor about the process. They should be able to tell you that they have professionally trained export packers, speak to you about Marine Insurance and full load, part load and groupage options and answer any other questions that you have about the move.
2. Can I take my car with me?
Experienced international moving companies will be able to arrange for the shipping of vehicles to the island. They’ll be able to explain the process and, some companies, can even arrange collection of the vehicle for you.
For importing vehicles to Cyprus, there are two methods of shipment. Vehicles can be shipped within a shared or a sole-use container. The vehicle is shipped along with either another vehicle or alongside other items. It is always securely loaded to protect itself and the other items in the container. Opting for this method also means that the vehicle can be delivered to your new home.
Alternatively, some customers opt for a ‘roll on roll off’ method, in which a vehicle is driven onto the ship at the port of origin and then secured ‘wind-and-watertight’ on the vessel. This is a cheaper option, but does require that the shipper of the vehicle is present to collect the car before the vessel arrives.
3. How do I go about moving money from the UK to Cyprus?
A particularly time consuming and expensive aspect of staring a new life abroad, can be the transfer of money overseas. It’s worth researching currency companies like Currencies Direct, when it comes to moving your money to Cyprus as they offer an efficient, cost-effective and easy way to transfer money overseas. Currency companies can offer more favourable exchange rates than banks.
4. What can I do to prepare for life in Cyprus?
Learning the language will open up far more of the Cyprus way of life. It will mean you can reach out to the Greek culture far more and appreciate the music, theatre, literature etc of the island. A command of the language is invaluable to improve job opportunities when you make to the move to Cyprus and equally, it will enable you to target a wider client base in any business ventures you intend to set up. As with many countries, the locals will often be more accepting of expats who have a willingness to embrace their local language.
