Dubbed the last divided capital city of Europe, Nicosia has a long and rich history as well as a vibrant present. Cyprus capital city is a melting pot of different cultures and architectural influences, where expats are as likely (if not more) to find work as are Cypriot citizens. In fact, Nicosia has seen the highest decrease in unemployment in recent years so choosing it as your base is probably the smartest thing to do.
The labour market in Nicosia
One of the wealthiest cities in the Mediterranean, Nicosia is Cyprus' largest city and its indisputable business hub. Located in the centre of the island, from Nicosia you can reach all of Cyprus' main towns and cities via the country's highway infrastructure. This makes Nicosia a natural fit for both administrative and business purposes. Indeed, Nicosia is home to numerous financial institutions (such as the Bank of Cyprus, the Hellenic Bank and the Cyprus Popular Bank) and legal firms, as well as many global companies who have chosen this city for their EU base due to the favourable taxation scheme. The most sought-after fields are engineering, finance, information technologies and telecommunications, whereas other sectors on the rise are real estate, industry and the service sector. The latter goes hand in hand with the fact that the tourism industry is the most profitable sector in Cyprus in general: currently accounting for the most significant part of national GDP.
Nicosia is also a university city, holding the most amount of universities and colleges on the island. Thousands of international students flock to Nicosia every semester to study, which is facilitated by the fact that the main language for studying is English.
Good to know:
English is also the primary business language in Nicosia, however since the official language of Cyprus is Greek, most employers will ask that you have some knowledge of it.
Where to look for employment in Nicosia
Nicosia may not be the most touristy city in Cyprus, but the service sector is still robust: You should inquire with the local hotels, restaurants, bars and coffee shops for seasonal work opportunities. For more regular employment, you can find work in the finance and telecom sectors. As an expat in Nicosia, you should keep in mind the importance of networking: Cyprus being a small island, word of mouth is essential. That being said, there is no harm in applying directly to the companies you are interested in, regardless of whether they have an opening currently. Most companies accept CVs all year round, to facilitate recruitment when needed.
Good to know:
If you have no contacts yet, you could visit Nicosia's Public Employment Offices, as many job postings can be found here.
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