This is probably the last part to my moving diary as I've now moved and am settled in my new apartment in Cyprus. My internet was just installed this morning!

My freight which I sent using TFA logistics on the same flight as us, all arrived safe and well and un-damaged which was a huge relief. (apart from one box had a small hole through which a cockroach found its way in)

Just a few notes on what we've done since we've been here -

immigration - you don't need an alien number if you're from Uk/ireland. You can download the forms off the internet or pick them up from the immigration office. there's a bit for your employer to fill in or if you're self employed (like me) a section for that as well. Generally they take the husband as the lead applicant. you need marriage certs, birth certs if you have them, passports, 2 photo's each and the fee which is about €9. you can make an appointment to see them to complete it all and they open at 8am.

If you are self employed like me you need to register with social insurance, you can only do this if you have some kind of contract or invoice for work. you also to register for tax, but if starting halfway through a tax year (jan-dec)you don't need to do anything until the end of the year, with the paperwork to be submitted by end of jun. If you will earn over 19500€ you will need to pay tax and pay it in advance per quarter. fairly straightforward but you can get an accountant to do it for you if you wish.

for getting the phone and internet installed, you need to go to Cyta (offices in all main towns) they open at 730. it takes about half hour to do the paperwork. If you are in rented accom you will need to pay a deposit of €150 per line to be connected. connection is another €100 and the line rental is €16 per month. to have internet installed it costs €78 installation and depending on the package, 1meg is €33 per month. (1 meg is fairly quick in cyprus as there is low internet use but you can have up to 4 meg which is €81 per month) Beware though that if you having a line connected to a new property or a 2nd line put in where there is not already a socket, cyta are only obliged to connect you at the box on the property and you need to get a seperate electrician to actually install the line and socket inside the house. (I had a right rant at them about this, as I'd just paid them €100 to be connected).

one weird thing I've found is bills, I'm used to everything on direct debit but over here it all seems to be done in person. My cyta bill = i have to go the cyta office and pay it to the cashier. My refuse tax (council tax - aprox €88 per year) I have to pay at the town hall along with my electric and water bills.

anyway, bit of an essay there, sorry about that!