About Cyprus

Every person has their own story, but many of us are united by the fact that, due to circumstances, we found ourselves in a new country where we need to build a new life as quickly as possible. We hope that our portal Expaterra can help you!

So, the Republic of Cyprus: a country of opportunities and warm hospitality, where everyone will find their home among picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Culture and Lifestyle

Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean with a rich cultural heritage, a unique way of life, and diverse cuisine.

Cypriots are known for their hospitality and friendliness, which makes staying on the island particularly pleasant. The island combines Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cultural influences, reflected in language, music, dance, and festivals. Family plays a central role in the life of Cypriots, with strong ties between generations and frequent family gatherings. Orthodox Christianity dominates the south of the island, while Islam prevails in the north, reflected in architecture and religious holidays.

Cypriot cuisine is a blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, with an emphasis on fresh and local ingredients.

Meze: A selection of many small dishes, including dips, vegetables, meat, and fish, allowing one to sample a variety of local flavors:

Halloumi: A semi-hard cheese made from a mixture of goat and sheep milk, often grilled or fried, is one of Cyprus's most famous products.

Souvla: Large pieces of meat, usually pork or lamb, cooked on a spit, popular at family and festive events.

Kleftiko: Slow-cooked lamb with aromatic spices, traditionally prepared in a clay oven.

Desserts: Sweets like baklava and lokum reflect Middle Eastern influences and are popular treats.

Meals in Cyprus are not only about food but also a social event, often accompanied by long conversations and interaction. Life on the island flows leisurely, with an emphasis on work-life balance. Cyprus is famous for its vibrant festivals such as the Limassol Carnival and Kataklysmos festival, which reflect the island's rich cultural heritage. Residents and visitors to the island enjoy the beaches, mountains, and countryside, engaging in activities such as swimming, hiking, and windsurfing.

The Republic of Cyprus ranks high in various international rankings reflecting its achievements in education, tourism, and quality of life. Cyprus stands out for having the highest number of universities per capita in the region of developing countries in Europe and Central Asia. In 2023, Cyprus led the EU ranking for increased tourism overnight stays, demonstrating a 20% growth compared to previous periods. Cyprus ranks high in the UN ranking assessing life expectancy, education level, and gross national income per capita. The average life expectancy in Cyprus is 80.5 years, and the expected duration of education is about 12 years.

The Republic of Cyprus ranks lower in international ratings reflecting its competitiveness, peacefulness, and other aspects. In 2023, Cyprus dropped in the global competitiveness ranking compiled by the International Institute for Management Development. According to the "Global Peace Index 2023," Cyprus is ranked 64th among the most peaceful countries. Among the member states of the European Union, Cyprus is considered the second least peaceful, surpassing only France. These positions indicate areas where Cyprus can strive for improvement to enhance its competitiveness and level of peacefulness in the future.

Local Language

Learning the Greek language can present certain challenges for beginners, especially for those whose native language does not belong to the Greek or other similar language groups. 

One of the first challenges is the Greek alphabet, which differs from Latin and Cyrillic alphabets. Although it consists of only 24 letters, memorizing it and learning to read can be difficult, especially due to some symbols resembling Latin alphabet letters but having different pronunciations (for example, "ρ" is pronounced as "r," not "p" as in the Latin alphabet).

Greek has four cases — nominative, genitive, accusative, and vocative — which complicates the grammatical structure. For those whose native language does not have cases, this can be a significant challenge.

Greek verbs change depending on person, number, tense, mood, and voice. For instance, in Greek, there are separate forms for different tenses: present, future, aorist (simple past), and imperfect (continuous past), requiring the memorization of many forms.

Some sounds of the Greek language may be unfamiliar. In Greek, intonation often changes the meaning of words. 

Most educational materials are focused on standard Greek, whereas the Cypriot dialect has its unique words, phrases, and intonation.

In Cyprus, many residents speak English, especially in cities and tourist areas. This simplifies daily life but reduces the need to use Greek, which slows the learning process.

Learning Greek in Cyprus is a long-term process, but with the right approach and perseverance, you can overcome the difficulties and successfully integrate into the local community.