Offshore Guidebook | Real Estate Investor Magazine Offshore Guidebook 2014 | Page 63

family can live, work, invest and travel in the EU with no restrictions! 3. Secure EU permanent residency status An investment in Cyprus offers the opportunity to secure EU permanent residency status without having to live there or be domiciled there for tax purposes, and without having to remit a minimum amount of personal tax annually. The Cyprus residency scheme further allows for a property acquired in Cyprus to be rented out, earning an offshore income. In addition, the permit automatically renews – it’s for life! 4. Value for money Properties in Cyrus offer exceptional value for money when compared to other European countries, especially those right on or near to The Mediterranean. The area in Cyprus that suffered the least casualties during the last few years and has enjoyed relatively active sales, with the highest growth over the last seven years, is the Paphos area, Cyprus’ equivalent of the lush and beautiful Western Cape. 5. Diversificaion Cyprus’ current foreign exchange policy is relatively favourable. It is a good strategy to diversify exposure by investing offshore to hedge the strengthening Euro against a volatile South African Rand. 6. Lifestyle The countr yside in Cy prus is breathtak ingly beautiful. With 57 Blue-Flag Status beaches, the cleanest seas in The Med, a dramatic mountain range where it snows for three months of the year, picturesque hiking trails and lush, fertile agricultural areas, this is a country for exploring! Cyprus also offers a lifestyle similar to South Africa. The Cypriots love outdoor activities, enjoy a braai and share many of the same values that South Africans do: they have a hard-working ethos and www.reimag.co.za a strong sense of community, and they value their families. They also share the South African love of sports: their golf courses are world-class, they have a soccer team that plays a ferocious game in the EU championships, and they even have a rugby league! 7. Home from home Many are surprised to discover just how “South African” Cyprus is. Here you will find six Ocean Basket restaurants and two Nando’s restaurants, Mrs Balls Chutney in the shops and a butcher from the Free State who makes boerewors and biltong! Cyprus’ shores are also graced by some famous South Africans: Prof Christiaan Barnard lived in Cyprus before he passed away and Gary Player is busy building his first signature European golf course with Jack Nicklaus in the Paphos area. Facilitated process The process of investing in Cyprus’ “Citizenship through Investment” programme is streamlined and hassle-free when partnering with an experienced team, such as Cypriot Realty, who can guide and advise you every step of the way. This includes assistance with finding the perfect property through personalised property inspection trips to Cyprus to view properties and facilitating the permanent residency and citizenship application process, including arranging meetings with attorneys, banks, schools and more in Cyprus and providing assistance with the physical relocation to Cyprus. A pioneer in activel