Hi
There's nothing difficult about setting up a bank account in Cyprus.

You can open an account here if you are still living in UK too.

You will need a form of ID - usually your passport, it's not always necessary to fund the account immediately either.

A couple of things to consider though....

If you are planning on bringing a decent lump sum with you or transferring a lump sum to your account, please make sure you inform the bank you want a High Interest account so that you get interest. You can open a 7 day or 30 day account and interest is added each 7 or 30 days.

Otherwise, they will start you out with a savings account, which gets zilch interest

Issuing of an ATM card is a little different here, as you have to go and collect it from the bank of issue and sign for it.

So, if you open an account whilst here on holiday and go back to UK, don't expect the ATM card to be posted to your UK address. What you can do is, complete the card request form but leave it on your bank file unsigned. Next time you visit Cyprus, go and sign the form and the card will be there to collect about 5 days later...

When the card expires and is due for reissue, it will be sent to your Cyprus address - it's not necessary to collect it each time.

Credit cards are not so simple... unless you agree to have an amount of money "blocked" off your bank account to the balance of the credit on the card. Otherwise, you get a very low limit. Apparently, the system was abused by squaddies a few years ago and the banks were left with unpaid debts so they are now quite loathe to issue cc's to non Cypriots. Patience and quiet pursuasion is the only way forward here - if you shout and bawl, you won't get anywhere!

Approach all the big banks to see what is the best account for you as they all differ slightly, just as in UK.

CwB

Here are a couple of forums that will be very helpful for your move:

Cyprus Eastern Owners and Buyers covering Paralimni, Protaras, Ayia Napa and Larnaca.

Cyprus Living covering Paphos and the western end of the island.

Also - another forum for Limassol districts of Cyprus. Aimed at living in Cyprus and run by residents and ex-pats.

http://www.bfccll.com (BFC Cyprus Limassol Living)

CwB