It’s easy to get caught up in the all the detail and admin of buying a house and lose track of the moment after you move in. In the excitement of collecting the keys and settling in, it’s easy to overlook some essential tasks that come with home ownership abroad.

A friend’s daughter recently moved into her new home in Cyprus. Although she felt confident throughout the buying process, she admitted she had no idea what came next.

To help you avoid the same confusion, here’s a clear and practical checklist of the first ten things to do once you’ve bought your Cyprus property.

Save yourself the hassle and bring in the professionals

Get help with the clean-up

One thing that may surprise you about tradespeople in Cyprus is how experienced many of them are – particularly older craftsmen like carpenters and masons. Many learned their skills from their parents and take great pride in the finer details of their work.

Younger professionals are also highly capable.

However, it’s worth noting that it’s not standard practice for tradespeople – regardless of age – to clean up thoroughly once the job is done. Expect some debris left behind, especially on floors, and always protect furniture with dust sheets or wraps before any work begins.

If you’d rather not handle the post-work mess yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning team. They work efficiently, are paid by the hour, and can make a big difference in getting your home back to normal. Be sure to compare rates online to find the best value.

Connecting electricity is a slightly different process to many countries

Get your electricity connected

In Cyprus, I’ve learnt that “getting your electricity connected” equates to “transferring the electricity onto my name”. The contract for the previous owner will remain in place and you need to update it to your details.

So, if you have moved into a ready-built home, make sure that the previous electricity bills have been paid. If you don’t do this, you will be liable for these electricity debts.

You will need to visit a local electricity office in Limassol, Paphos, Nicosia and Larnaca to do this. You should keep the relevant phone number handy in case you need them. Here are the phone numbers for each electricity customer centre.

In Cyprus, dial these numbers as written (no need for codes):

• Limassol 25205007/25205254
• Paphos 26206000
• Nicosia 2202388
• Larnaca 24204240

Note that these centres have winter and summer opening hours, as they are government organisations. Check the EAC website for these.

Make sure that the previous electricity bills have been paid

When you visit the customer centre, make sure you come armed with these documents:

• Purchase Agreement (i.e., Sale Contract) or Title Deeds
• Your passport
• Money for a minimal deposit (check the amount before you visit)

After these have been viewed, you will receive an Agreement and receipt for your deposit. The connection then takes about two weeks.

Get your water connected

It is the same procedure to connect your water supply, and you will need to take the same documents. Here are the phone contact numbers for the customer centres of the Water Authority:

• Limassol 25830000
• Paphos 26943045
• Nicosia 77771090
• Larnaca 24200500

Again, the working hours can vary (and they are open only until the early afternoon) so call them before visiting – the Cyprus Water Authority website is not helpful on this.

You can save a lot of money on electricity bills with solar panels

Apply to install your photovoltaic solar panels

I highly recommend installing these in your new home because I have found that my recent photovoltaic panels have substantially cut down our electricity bills.

The first step is to contact the Cyprus Electricity Authority (or EAC for short) to locate a private installer. There are some steps in the installation – the contractor comes to assess your home for installation, how many panels you will need and so on. After installation, the contractor sets the system up to connect with the grid.

A good tip from my Architect daughter, Argyro, is to mention that you wish to include a photovoltaic system during the architectural design of your new build so that you are less likely to have problems like enough space and incorrect height dimensions.

Getting internet is easy and essential

Get your internet, mobile, and landline connected

Reliable internet is essential, and in Cyprus, it also powers most phone services. Mobile phones are the norm for everyday communication, with landlines now rarely used in residential properties. That said, if you’d prefer a backup line, a landline can still be installed.

To set up your internet and mobile services, you’ll need to visit a CYTA (Cyprus Telecommunications Authority) store – there are branches in all major towns. You can find your nearest location via their store locator. Be sure to bring the same documents required for setting up electricity and water accounts.

Choose your air conditioning units

You will need to have these installed if you have not done this when your home was built because Cyprus summers can be scorchers. It’s a big part of the island’s draw but also can create challenges.

You can select these from each main town’s many electric appliance shops. Shop around for prices, though, as they vary.

The shop’s air conditioner fitters will install the units, and you will pay for this as part of the total price for your air conditioning units.

You should organise your healthcare soon after you move in

Sort out your healthcare

You can find a doctor in your area on Cyprus’s state health website and book an appointment with them to register.

Most of the doctors in Cyprus are specialists, such as cardiologists and dermatologists, but there are some general practitioners, too. You cannot register for the GESY healthcare system until you become a permanent resident in Cyprus, a process that takes about four or five years.

Now, moving into a new home isn’t all admin and building inspections. After you’ve got your boxes unpacked, here’s what you should do next.

Learning the language will help you settle in and make friends

Join a Greek language class

You don’t need to try to learn Greek in-depth; you just need to know conversation and essential communication. And there are now many in-person and online Greek conversation classes where you are sure to meet like-minded people also learning the language.

There are also Archaeology groups where you can understand Cypriot history and go on archaeology digs to view the years-old relics of Cyprus.

Check online and join local Facebook groups to find the location of these classes and groups.

Join a fitness class

Getting active is not just good for your health – it’s also a great way to settle into your new community. Yoga and fitness classes are popular across Cyprus, especially in coastal towns and expat-friendly areas. Whether you’re into gentle stretching, high-energy aerobics, or strength training, you’ll find a class to suit your level.

Joining a local class is one of the easiest ways to meet people with similar interests. Many expats use it as a social outlet, and you’ll often find that sessions end with a chat over coffee or recommendations for local events. It’s a relaxed, natural way to build connections while staying fit and feeling good in your new surroundings.

Make friends through an international group

Join an international expat group

I made my first British friends in Cyprus through a group called Internations. It’s a great way to socialise as you go out for meals, coffee, and activities together.

Many of the people in this group are new to Cyprus, like you, and the group is very welcoming. It’s a European organisation with branches in many countries.

So, there’s your handy guide about the most important things to do after moving into your Cyprus property. Enjoy your new home – and enjoy Cyprus!