Essential info for Cyprus
Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the end of March to the end of October).
Electricity: 240 volts, 50Hz. Plugs with three square pins are standard.
Language: Greek and Turkish are the official languages but English, German and French are spoken in the more developed areas.
Safety Information: Expats will find that the threat of crime or terrorism is very low in Cyprus.
Local Customs: Expats in Cyprus are advised not to take photographs near military establishments. Religious customs such as Ramadan should be respected; eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public is not acceptable during the holy month. Expat women are advised to dress modestly.
Business: Business in Cyprus is preferably conducted on a face-to-face basis and working relationships are strongly influenced by mutual trust. The working world in Cyprus is formal, and suitable dress is expected (a suit and tie are the norm). Handshakes and business cards are exchanged upon greeting, and punctuality is important. It is common for women to hold high positions and they are generally well respected in the business world. Business hours can vary according to the season, but are usually 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm Monday to Friday in summer, closing at 5pm in winter.
Communications: The international access code for Cyprus is +357. For calls out of Cyprus, dial 00 and then the relevant country code (e.g. 44 for the United Kingdom). No area codes are required in Cyprus. Mobile phone operators use GSM networks and there are roaming agreements in place with most international operators, but not in the USA. Public phones throughout Cyprus can be used for domestic and international calls using phone cards, which are available at local shops, banks and post offices. Internet cafés and personal broadband are available in the more developed areas.
Emergencies: Dial 199 or 112 for emergency assistance.
