All about the working holiday in Cyprus

Discover this Mediterranean island rich in history and culture, and full of wonderful experiences waiting to be enjoyed. Start your working holiday in Cyprus today!
Wherever you are in the process of working holiday preparation, pvtistes.net provides free information and resources to help with your planning and big move.
Working Holiday Visa travel insurance.

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).

1 Eligibility requirements
Age limit

Between 18 and 30 years old

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Valid Australian passport

Valid for the entire duration of your working holiday

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Sufficient funds

Enough to support yourself financially

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First participation

This must be your first participation

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Good health and sound character

Must not have disqualifying health or background issues

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No child dependents

Must not be accompanied by child dependents

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Contents
2 FAQ

01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?

WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.

02. Which nationalities are eligible?

At the moment, only Australians are eligible for the Cyprus WHV.

03. How long is the visa good for?

The WHV allows you to work and live in Cyprus for up to 9 months.

04. Can I work or live in other EU countries?

No. The Cyprus WHV gives you residence and work authorisation only in Cyprus. In all other countries, you must respect the rules set forth for tourists and visitors.

05. Do I need to buy health insurance?

Health insurance is not mentioned as a requirement on official Cypriot sources. However, it is still strongly recommended. Out of pocket expenses abroad can be exorbitant for uninsured individuals.

06. Do I need to speak Greek or Turkish?

There are no official language requirements for the application.

08. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?

We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Cyprus and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.

We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.

09. Where can I apply?

To start your application process, send an email to the High Commission of Cyprus in Canberra. Application requirements and steps will be sent to you.

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3 Buying health insurance

As mentioned earlier, health insurance is not an application requirement mentioned by the Cypriot authorities. However, it is still strongly recommended, as out of pocket expenses can be exorbitant for uninsured individuals.

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

Learn more about Globe WHV
Useful links
Contents
4 Opening a euro account

Cyprus’s currency is the euro (€). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.

If you want to have a euro debit card in hand before even arriving in Cyprus, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your euro account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Cyprus. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Cyprus. Learn more about Wise.

There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Cyprus.

Learn more about Wise
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5 Finding housing in Cyprus

Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Cyprus before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.

For your first couple of weeks, you could consider hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.

Find a hostel on Hostelworld
Useful links
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6 Getting ready for departure

After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!

Useful links
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7 Read up on other important topics

As you prepare for your working holiday in Cyprus, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.

Library of free articles and guides on the working holiday
Useful links
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8 Check out language courses and other deals

This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a foreign language. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.

Learn more about Babbel (-20%)
Our special offers
Take advantage of our special offers for flights, banking, money transfers, and language courses.
Read more
Contents
Age limit

You must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application.

Valid Australian passport

You must hold an Australian passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.

Sufficient funds

The Cypriot government does not provide a specific number, so use your best judgement and estimation for what you will need in at least the first 3 months. They write the following on their official website: “Applicants must possess reasonable funds for their maintenance during the period of initial stay in Cyprus.” Source

First participation

This must be your first participation. If you have already been granted a WHV to Cyprus before, then you cannot apply again.

Good health and sound character

The High Commission of Cyprus in Canberra writes that “applicants must have good health and a sound background.”

No child dependents

Only persons not accompanied by dependent children may apply.