Buy in Cyprus: How to find a part of island life, from family villas to bubble parties

One retired man who lived in Paphos for 30 years returned for his father’s late monument – ​​he was an early victim of a pandemic. She sits behind her young her mother, 10 months old, who has returned to England for her wedding.

Both chose to live full-time in Cyprus because of their “quality of life”.

“Cyprus has the most blue flag beaches per kilometer in any country in the world, and nothing dangerous in our waters,” said realtor Elit Blue’s Alan Quinn. doing. “Lifeguards are run by the government and our city is very safe,” he adds.

The new Permanent Resident Program (PRP) is driving demand for relocation to Cyprus. Non-EU citizens (such as British) are entitled to live in Cyprus in return for purchasing a new property worth at least € 300,000 plus 19% VAT. The requirement is to visit the property every two years.

But when it comes to a full-time home, the transaction tax on the sale drops to just 5 percent. The tax incentives also apply to zero capital gains tax, zero foreign income tax and zero inheritance tax, allowing owners to apply for citizenship after seven years.

Pantilis Leptos, co-president of developer Leptos Estates, explains, “Probably the best fast-track program in Europe that allows foreigners to obtain immigration permits through real estate investments.” This process can take as little as 60 days.

Where to buy in Cyprus

Paphos, southwest

Yes, Paphos has well-known sports bars and karaoke clubs such as the Chalkies bar and Robin Hood Club. However, the British bar scene does not undermine the ancient characteristics, identity and beauty of Paphos.

The low-rise, low-density port city dates back to the Neolithic era, and there are several places related to the goddess Aphrodite, such as Petra Turomion and the rocks of Aphrodite off the coast between Paphos and Limassol.

According to one legend, the stone stack was the birthplace of her. The tomb of the king, the UNESCO archaeological site of the excavated tomb, began in the 3rd century and is 3.2 km (2 miles) away. For those who are active, there are 3 golf courses and lots of water sports.

In the Coral Bay area, trophy villas are being developed on the hillside road leading from the 5-star family-friendly Coral Beach Hotel (coral.com.cy). This hotel has 422 guest rooms overlooking a 300m sandy beach in a calm bay.

Coral Seas Villa is a gated and exclusive community west of Coral Bay, built by Leptosestates (leptosestates.com), the second largest landowner in the country after the church.

The first row of villas orders a high premium for its cliff-top location and unobstructed views – Cyprus law says that the last section of land running around the coast cannot be built. Means

These white villas with private pools already have herbal beds and brightly colored shrubs covering each dwelling. The largest five-bedroom homes available are on the market for € 3,399,000 and VAT.

Just a few rows back from the sea, the price of a three-bedroom villa around a communal swimming pool drops to € 699,000 plus VAT.

Located on a hillside with sea views, Camares Village has more traditional villas. This rustic development house (also by Leptos) has a red Roman tile roof and a local stone arch (Camares) surrounded by olives, citrus and carob trees.

Prices start from € 440,000 to € 5,768,000 for a two-bedroom home, plus VAT for a brand new five-bedroom villa.

Limassol on the South Coast

Inland above Paphos and Limassol are the Troodos Mountains, Olympus Mons (1,952m), and 173 acres of Paphos Forest.

It is a country of horseback riding, hiking and cycling, home to 83 species of snakes, red foxes, muflues and other wildlife. Real taverns can be found in rocky villages such as the Linari tavern in Agros and the Agios Demetrius in Kato Platinum.

Head to Limassol for a completely different experience. This fast-growing business center has traditionally attracted Russians, but is now home to a fast-growing community of digital nomads from around the world.

There are several different developments in progress. The Trophy House is located in a seaside apartment complex in Limassol del Mar and is ready to move in. There is a communal deck and infinity pool overlooking the sea. Two-bedroom apartments with private terraces start at € 1,655,000.

Another scheme (also Leptos Estates) is Limassol Blu Marine, two residential towers above the boutique, with one-bedroom apartments starting at € 655,000.

Both are part of the Limassol Master Plan and include the construction of the City of Dreams Mediterranean, Europe’s largest integrated gaming resort. The 14-storey casino and hotel complex has 3 swimming pools, a family adventure play park and 9 restaurants.

Ayia Napa and the East Coast

Elit Blue’s Quinn (an affiliate of Savills) is raising the East Coast flag. He describes the famous party hotspot Ayia Napa as “high-end” and one of the island’s most popular areas for tourists and migrants.

There is a 2 acre sculpture park and Ayia Napa Marina with 220 luxury apartments, 35 villas, 600 berths, restaurants and shops. Party people head to Nissi Beach, 500 meters long, one of the most photographed beaches for DJs and form parties on social media.

He also cites Protaras, a family-friendly resort town, and Larnaca, the third-largest city on a seaside island with palm trees built on ancient ruins.

“A four-bedroom villa with a roof terrace swimming pool in the center of Protalus costs 485,000 euros, and a three-bedroom apartment costs nearly 350,000 euros,” says Quinn. The Elit Blue website (elitblue.com) sells a single-family home with three bedrooms and a private pool (under construction) for € 342,000.

Admission to Agia Napa Marina starts at around € 1 million, but prime-property.com sells a three-bedroom villa with a private pool and balcony just 50 meters from the sea for € 320,000. increase.

According to Costas Constantis, sales executive of Leptos, the British make up 70,000 of the island’s 1.2 million population, which has traditionally attracted Russians and members of the former Soviet block, while Cyprus is diverse. The place.

“Every time a crisis occurs in the world, more people settle in Cyprus,” he says, referring to the Arab Spring and the ongoing Syrian civil war. Leptos also built the University of Neapolis Paphos, where Russian and Ukrainian students work side by side.

Quinn believes that the pandemic has increased sales to the British. “I’ve found that people who can really work remotely can travel abroad from the UK to a sunny island of 320 days a year for four and a half hours, instead of traveling from London to the countryside,” he says.