Yes, it is true! Cyprus is amongst the ideal countries for those who want to move after retirement, according to Forbes.

Moving or retiring abroad is an exciting prospect, but it also comes with challenges. For many, the main obstacle is the potential language barrier. However, you will not come across with this obstacle in Cyprus! The official languages ​​of the island are Greek and Turkish, but English, although not an official language, serves as the common language of communication between them. It is very rare to meet a Cypriot who does not speak English.

According to Forbes publication, English was the official language of Cyprus from 1878 to 1960, during the British rule, and continued to be used in the courts until 1989 and in legislation until 1996. Not only is it widely spoken, even among locals, but much of the advertising is also in English.

Locals have no problem communicating with foreign citizens in English.

Many foreign residents would like to learn Turkish or Greek, however, as the publication states, the dialects of Cypriot Turkish and Cypriot Greek differ significantly from their official forms.

When speaking English, however, keep in mind that the American (or Canadian) accent is not as familiar to most Cypriots, who are much more familiar with the British or even Australian accent. Speak slowly and patiently. If you feel like you’re not being understood, the problem is probably your accent.