Driving to Cyprus

[Vegaanders]

Originally Posted by lotuseater

Still on the theme of moving to Cyprus and driving the car down - does anyone have an idea what would happen if I took the car ferry to Limassol (the Greek side) and then drove it across the border into the Turkish side, where we intend to settle. Would the Greeks still view it as an import even though we wouldn't be residing on their side? And what would happen at the TRNC border?

Why should they consider it as import? I assume you drive on english plates and insurance? So you will be trated as any tourist coming with a car

[Pam n Dave]

As has been mentioned earlier the Greeks would see it as a temporary import and allow it to remain for up to six months.

To take it North you would need to obtain insurance to take it over the crossing.

I suspect that you would need advice from a Northern based forum re the importation process for the the TC side of the island.

[PeteandSylv]

When you cross to the north and reach the Turkish control point you are required to purchase insurance before you are allowed to pass. There is a booth set up for this purpose.

Pete

[lotuseater]

Ok. So far, I can get the car to Cyprus by driving across Europe to Italy/Greece and then taking a ferry to Limassol or driving on to Turkey and taking the ferry to Kyrenia.

Either way, I finally end up at the TRNC border. I've driven across from the South to the North before so I know I have to purchase insurance at the checkpoint. But it's at the point, when they ask me how long I'm staying, that it all gets a little hazy.

Before now, when I've been on holiday it was easy because it was only a 2-3 week stay. However, as my wife and I want to do six months of the year there and then the other six months in the UK - year in year out - what do I say?

I could obviously say I'm only staying for six months, but what happens about the car? If I leave the country will they expect me to take it with me? If I leave it there will it be seen as an import?

[Vegaanders]

Originally Posted by lotuseater

Ok. So far, I can get the car to Cyprus by driving across Europe to Italy/Greece and then taking a ferry to Limassol or driving on to Turkey and taking the ferry to Kyrenia.

Either way, I finally end up at the TRNC border. I've driven across from the South to the North before so I know I have to purchase insurance at the checkpoint. But it's at the point, when they ask me how long I'm staying, that it all gets a little hazy.

Before now, when I've been on holiday it was easy because it was only a 2-3 week stay. However, as my wife and I want to do six months of the year there and then the other six months in the UK - year in year out - what do I say?

I could obviously say I'm only staying for six months, but what happens about the car? If I leave the country will they expect me to take it with me? If I leave it there will it be seen as an import?

You can store it or take it out. If you store, it will be considered as import when the car has been in Cyprus for 6 months from first arrival
If you go to Turkey and go direct to the north I dobth that you will be allowed to pass the border to the republic.