Fading Paradise: Why British Expats Are Saying Goodbye to Cyprus
British Expats Are Saying Goodbye to Cyprus – For decades, Cyprus has been a beacon for expats seeking sun-soaked days and a tranquil Mediterranean lifestyle. Its idyllic beaches, charming villages, and relaxed pace of life made it an irresistible retreat, especially for British retirees and young professionals looking to escape the grind. However, a growing number of these once-enchanted residents are now packing their bags and heading back to the UK, leaving behind what they once thought was their dream home.
Who’s Saying Goodbye to Cyprus?
According to Eurostat, 18,000 people emigrated from Cyprus in 2022, with the vast majority—around 95%—being non-Cypriots. While there’s no exact breakdown of British nationals among these figures, anecdotal evidence suggests they represent a significant portion. The absence of post-Brexit data only adds to the mystery, but experts and relocation specialists point to one clear trend: the tide of British expats returning home is steadily rising.
Why Are Brits Leaving the Island?
One of the most common reasons is age. Many British expats who settled in Cyprus during the early 2000s are now entering their golden years, and the pull of family, healthcare, and familiarity is proving stronger than ever. For retirees like Margaret Davies, who moved to a Limassol village in 2010, life in Cyprus was everything she had dreamed of—until it wasn’t. Following her husband’s passing in 2020, Margaret began to feel the weight of isolation. By 2022, she had made the difficult decision to leave behind her sunny life and return to Hampshire, where she could be closer to her grandchildren and access more dependable healthcare services.
Health and family concerns aren’t the only reasons driving this exodus. Younger expats are leaving too, disillusioned by the rising cost of living and limited job opportunities. Chloe Morgan, who moved to Cyprus at 22, spent over a decade building a life in Ayia Napa and later in real estate. But by her early 30s, financial pressures had made life unsustainable. With rent and groceries spiraling and no job security in sight, Chloe returned to Bristol last autumn, admitting that she could no longer envision a future on the island.
Even those who are financially comfortable say that Cyprus isn’t the paradise it once was. Longtime residents like Sarah Harrison have witnessed rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and cultural shifts that have forever altered the island’s charm. Sarah recalls a time when camping at Konnos Beach meant solitude, or when the Akamas peninsula was a pristine, untouched wilderness. Today, she says, these beloved places are crowded, commercialized, and unrecognizable.
The Changing Face of Cyprus
Cyprus still has much to offer. The island ranks highly for healthcare, and its warm climate and welcoming communities continue to draw thousands of new expats every year. But for many of those who arrived in an earlier era, the island’s transformation has been jarring. High-rise construction dominates once-sleepy coastal towns like Limassol, while mountain villages that once exuded charm now seem overrun by souvenir shops.
The reasons for leaving are deeply personal, ranging from age and health to finances and changing landscapes. Yet, a common thread unites these stories: the Cyprus they fell in love with is not the Cyprus of today.
As Sarah Harrison puts it, “My heart will always belong to Cyprus—but to the Cyprus of the past. I made the right choice to leave, but it was heartbreaking all the same.”
Cyprus remains a dream for many, but for some, the dream no longer fits.
Credits to Alex Norman for Inspiring this Article.
