Tobias Pettersbakken

From the Fjords🇳🇴 to the Shores🇨🇾
💼Co-founder Entrepreneurs relocate to Cyprus
⬇️Relocation calculator | Start & Run your company

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

Before I packed my life in a suitcase and relocated properly (to Cyprus🇨🇾) as a founder

I was hit by the digital nomad syndrome

- Visit as many countries as possible
- Laptop lifestyle and random cafe’s
- ''Anywhere in the world is my office'' bs😂

By all means. If you can make that work longterm, do what you want. Doesn’t affect me.

Just to give you some context about how all this started.

I used to work as a plumber. Did that for 2 years as an apprentice, before I recieved my official certificate.

And as most of us probably can relate to: Evenings..were spent working on my own business.

But back to the digital nomad journey.

Fast forward. Didn’t continue as a plumber. Couple weeks after my last day, I was on a plane heading to Asia. More specifically the Philippines🇵🇭

Spent 3 months there, before it was time to change up the environment.

Take a guess:) Every digital nomads dream……………Bali🇮🇩 (2 months) Then back home to Norway.

The digital nomad syndrome got to me again just shortly after, but that next plane ticket was booked to a destination I genuinely always wanted to visit.

The United States of America🇺🇸
And what better place than MIA Miami.

You won’t find your wife there, but what you will find, is high ambition. And thats all I needed at that time.

2 months in America🛫Back to Norway.

Now. I'll get to the final conclusion in a few, but you might start recognizing a pattern here?

Next stop🥁🥁🥁Miami again

Thats right. Fell in love with America. From the prior visit I made a lot of great connections, so it felt natural to come by a second time.

🇺🇸🛫🛬🇦🇷🛫🛬🇧🇷🛫🛬🇳🇴back home

Btw..this whole journey was done all solo.

Next stop: Thailand🇹🇭

At this point, I was already working with those who today, is my 2 great co-founders. Which is how Cyprus originally popped up on my radar.

Both of them were already based here in Cyprus. So after spending a month in Thailand, I decided to fly over there myself.

Can’t be too bad flying from Chiang Mai to Cyprus right?😑

🇹🇭🛫🛬🇦🇪🛫🛬🇮🇹🛫🛬🇬🇷🛫🛬🇨🇾

Lets articulate it this way: Now I avoid flights at all cost and hate travelling more than anything.

CONCLUSION

When I arrived in Cyprus, secured a new HQ, opened a Cyprus company and kinda figured out the place, was when I realized.

- Routine
- Permanent base
- Founder-friendly environment
- Easy access to pretty much anything
- Family coming over is only a 4h flight away (and yes, even my grandma visited)
- 300+ sunny days/year
- Best food and culture
- City life + Island life

That whole package is what I want, and is exactly what Cyprus offer founders searching for a solid base to build from🇨🇾🤝🏼

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

@chinaecher54498 In Cyprus? No need😂

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

I DON’T believe high quality of life justifies high taxes.

And I say that as someone who grew up in Norway🇳🇴

Ranked in the very top for quality of life.

Instead, I would ask:

- Can I build and grow a business here?
- Can I see myself living here long-term?
- Is the country moving in a direction I believe in?
- Would this be a good place for my family?
- Can I still travel and enjoy other countries?

That’s one of the reasons I chose Cyprus🇨🇾

Not because it’s perfect.

But because it gives me a place where I can build a company, enjoy my daily life and stay connected to Europe.

Without having to spend the entire year here (in fact, only 60 days)

Now, let’s unpack what high taxes get you:

Norway’s proposed 2027 budget was promoted as the BIGGEST income tax-cut in 20 years.

But when you look past the smoke and mirrors of big political announcements AND consider all the variables.

The tax-cut for an average earner is ~€0.1/month. Non-existent!!

And people talk about ''free'' healthcare and education.

Well, money don’t grow on trees?

Someone is paying for it.

But through a complex web of income tax, company taxes, VAT and other taxes.

Don’t get me wrong. The ''free'' stuff is great.

That doesn’t mean every entrepreneur has to accept the level of taxation to live well.

About the 60 days in Cyprus:

Under the 60 day rule, you can qualify as a Cyprus tax resident if you:

✅Spend at least 60 days in Cyprus during the tax year.
✅Own or rent a permanent home here.
✅Do not spend more than 183 days in any other single country during that tax year.
✅Have a qualifying business, job or company position in Cyprus.

Spending less than 183 days in another country does not automatically mean that country cannot tax you.

Your ties, the work you do there and the income you earn there all matter.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒And recently, I’ve been asked this question alot:

''How is Cyprus if I’m moving with family?''

Relocating with a family obviously takes more planning.

We have both public and private schools, but most expat families opt for private international schools.

And the vibrant international school networks making new friends quickly.

So again, I don’t believe high quality of life justifies high taxes.

Because not even the slightest hint of regret has crossed my mind since moving to Cyprus.

Life here is not perfect, but its phenomenal:) 🇨🇾

[NoLimit @NoLimitGains]

I asked a guy why he happily stays in his home country and pays 45% income tax and 17% sales tax.

Guess what he said?

Because the quality of life justifies the high taxes.

But there's something he doesn't know, and a lot of people don't know it either.

I could go spend 5 months a year in his country, the best months obviously, and pay 0% tax, because I'm based in a 0% tax country.

I'm also only required to be here, in my base country, 3 months a year to keep that status, so I could spend another 4 months in a different high-tax country and still pay 0%.

9 months in countries that "justify the high income tax," and 3 months where I'm based.

If you start making real money, the first thing you should do is get a tax lawyer.

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

🇫🇷France or Italy🇮🇹

Just leave.

You build your business to have more freedom.

But you’re paying 50% tax and total destruction of your country is what you get.

If you have the opportunity to move?

Don’t wait.

Apart from way lower taxes ��

Here’s what running your business from Cyprus looks like🌅🇨🇾

[Chris Rose @ArchRose90]

What happening in France has now spread to Italy. Damaging beautiful heritage.

This has nothing to do with wanting "better school resources."

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

@noahkhr I'm in Paphos, but Larnaca is a great choice. Especially if you're gonna be inbetween cities more.

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

UK entrepreneurs..WAKE UP🚨🇬🇧

Your wealthiest people are leaving, and so is hundreds of millions in UK tax money.

But what else was there to expect:

- Scrapped the old non-dom regime.
- Raised capital gains tax from 20% to 24%.
- Business-sale tax from 10% → 18% in just one year.

Approximately 50% of your company profits are gone after corporate and dividend tax.

Where you build your business matters.

Choose early, and make the move before you're stuck.

Switching high taxes and rain🇬🇧
For low taxes and sun🇨🇾

Quite easy decision, isn't it?

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

@TheWarKettle Without a doubt🙌🏼

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

While the rest of Europe is entering its most depressing part of the year.

Cyprus is still Cyprus 🇨🇾

Just went for a 12km stroll along the Mediterranean.

Thats what I love about this place:

- In one moment, you’re locked in working behind your desk.

- 10min later, you’re down by the coast.

Absolutely fantastic, and here in Paphos we have a 5km+ proper coastal path.

Valid Friday 🌊

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

@jakezward Now thats what I’m talking about!👊🏼

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

Agree or Disagree ?

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

Digital nomading is a SCAM.

Building your business, while living out of a suitcase: Looks like freedom.

Having a permanent base where you can lock in for months at a time: Is actual freedom.

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

@celinehaverstad Moved from Norway to Cyprus🇳🇴🛬🇨🇾

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

@eliana_jordan If thats all you need, easy: Cyprus🇨🇾

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

@truck_truck_go @CyprusPost Ever heard of email?😅

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

Something tells me Cyprus is quietly becoming the new #1 option for entrepreneurs 🇨🇾

A good friend of mine went ALL IN on Dubai earlier this year 🇦🇪

Everything sorted, but..

But after staying there for a little while, he actually came to the conclusion that it wasn’t his cup of tea.

It just shows that its not all about low taxes.

Even though thats the initial motivation.

🇨🇾Entrepreneur A:
Cyprus will be the most compatible base long term.

🇦🇪Entrepreneur B:
Dubai will be the most compatible base long term.

🇮🇩Entrepreneur C:
Somewhere in Asia will be the most compatible base long term.

Nothing beats Euro vibes though:)

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

@Ricky9Forbes Well described🤝🏼

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

🇫🇷France VS Cyprus🇨🇾
⮕ https://t.co/olN050hMLZ

[Tobias Pettersbakken @tobiassp10]

France now wants you to declare crypto no platform controls 🇫🇷

- Hardware wallet.
- Phone wallet.
- Crypto you control yourself.

If you don’t declare it?
You could be fined up to €10,000.

A proposal in France’s 2027 budget would require people holding €100K+ in self-custodied crypto, to report it to the tax authorities.

The proposal is not law yet, but the idea is still insane.

The government would not publish this information publicly, but a database showing who owns €100K+ in crypto could cause serious issues if it is ever leaked or hacked.

France has already seen people being attacked in their own homes and forced to send crypto to criminals.

If we compare this proposal to Cyprus (where I live)🇨🇾

Cyprus and France already operate under the same EU-wide crypto reporting framework: DAC8

DAC8 means crypto exchanges and platforms report relevant customer and transaction data to tax authorities.

This €100K self-custody proposal has nothing to do with Cyprus.

Its French and takes it one step further.

It would require you to tell the government yourself if the crypto held in your own wallet is worth €100K+

Even when no platform is holding it for you.

Here is what that actually means:

You buy €100K of BTC on Kraken, send it to your Ledger and leave it there for 5 years.

Kraken knows who you are, sees the purchase and the withdrawal.

But, it does not automatically know what your Ledger is worth years later, or what else you hold inside it.

France’s proposal would make you report what no platform sees.

If it was ever a good time to consider relocation.

Its before January 1st 2027.