Cost of Living in Cyprus

Sunny Cyprus attracts not only tourists but also those searching for a new place to call home. Its pleasant climate, friendly atmosphere and favourable tax conditions make the island popular among expats, digital nomads and retirees.

Before deciding to relocate, it is important to plan your budget according to the approximate cost of living in Cyprus. Will rent be expensive? Do you need private health insurance? In this article, we will look at the typical expenses awaiting new residents of the island.

Is life in Cyprus expensive? According to Eurostat’s 2024 report on household final consumption, Cyprus is considered moderately priced compared to other European countries. It is more expensive than Malta, Spain and Greece, but cheaper than other popular expat destinations such as Germany and Italy.

In 2025, the major Cypriot newspaper Phileleftheros conducted a study using the crowdsourced database Numbeo. The findings showed that Limassol is the most expensive city on the island, while Paphos is the most affordable among expat-friendly locations. Land and rental prices in Paphos are lower than the national average. In the capital, Nicosia, prices are relatively high, though still lower than in Limassol. Larnaca is also noted as an accessible option for foreigners.

The cost of living in Cyprus in 2025 depends not only on local prices but also on a person’s choices and lifestyle. You can rent an apartment in expensive Limassol, where monthly expenses will be significantly higher. Or you can relocate to a village community, closer to nature — a great option for digital nomads, freelancers, and remote workers. Those who work in an office and choose to live in a rural area will need to account for additional commuting costs to the city.

According to Eurostat, prices for milk, cheese, eggs, bread and grains in Cyprus are higher than the EU average. Meanwhile, meat, vegetables and fruit are cheaper than in most European countries. Overall, food prices on the island are above average. Cypriots typically allocate around 25.9% of their monthly budget to food.

The cost of a full monthly food basket depends on where a household shops — in a supermarket, at a local market, or by buying takeaway meals in cafés and restaurants. Local products tend to be cheaper than imported ones.

On average, a single person spends €150–250 per month on food. A family of four may spend €400–600, depending on dietary habits and preferences.

Where to buy groceries in Cyprus?

By choosing shopping locations wisely, monitoring discounts, and preferring home-cooked meals over restaurants or fast food, you can significantly reduce food expenses.

According to Numbeo, Cypriots spend around 26.9% of their monthly budget on rent and 6.9% on utilities.

Rent is paid monthly, and the base price does not include utilities or internet. It is generally more cost-effective to sign a long-term lease (over 6 months) to get a better rate.

According to Marinos Kineyrou, President of the Real Estate Agents Registration Council, rental prices in Cyprus did not increase significantly in 2025. The lowest rent for a one-bedroom apartment was recorded in Larnaca and Paphos — €500, while the highest was in Limassol — €1,100. Commenting on regional differences, Kineyrou stated that such variations are not accidental and are a direct consequence of the economic and business development of each city.

Speaking about Nicosia, Kineyrou noted that the rental market there is driven by students — demand for housing near universities continues to grow. To stabilize the situation, new housing units and infrastructure adapted for students have been created.

Regarding Paphos, the president explained that the city attracts not only students but also tourists, which affects housing prices near the coastline. Plans include building student dormitories to keep prices stable and prevent a significant increase.

Cyprus has a well-developed healthcare system. Expats with a work residence permit can access both public and private medical services. The latter is often preferred by foreigners who value faster service and English-speaking staff.

A significant number of international students and employees receive health insurance through their universities or employers. The national healthcare system (GESY) is available to legal residents who hold a valid registration at their place of permanent residence.

Despite the option to join the public healthcare system, many foreigners prefer private medical services. Quick access to English-speaking specialists is an important advantage. A family insurance plan costs approximately €150–400 per month, depending on the level of coverage, the age of the insured individuals, and the number of people included in the policy.

Personal care also requires expenses. The average price of a men’s haircut is €15, and a women’s haircut is €20. Styling costs range from €15 to €80. A manicure or pedicure costs around €25. A monthly set of hygiene products, excluding cosmetics, may cost approximately €50.

Living in Cyprus inevitably involves updating your wardrobe. The cost of business, casual, and children’s clothing, as well as footwear, can range from quite affordable to fairly high — depending on where you shop and whether you prefer popular brands. For those looking to save money, there are stores where clothing and shoes can be purchased at half the price of branded items, especially if you catch seasonal sales.

Cypriots spend an average of about 2.5% of their monthly income on clothing. This is unsurprising, since such purchases are rarely made on a regular basis — most people save gradually and buy items when needed.

According to Numbeo, Cypriots spend almost 7% of their monthly budget on utilities. In euros, this comes to approximately €182.93 and includes electricity, heating, air conditioning, water supply, and waste collection. One kWh costs around €0.11. Water billing is more complex: there is a fixed fee, a service fee, and a consumption fee. In Limassol, for example, the fixed charge is €16, the service fee is €6, and the first 40 cubic meters of water cost €0.90 per cubic meter.

Most homes and apartments in Cyprus do not have central heating. Hot water is heated by a boiler — usually available in every home. Residents use various devices to heat water and indoor spaces: air conditioners, convectors, radiators, fireplaces, as well as diesel and gas heaters. These devices 1) may need to be purchased when moving into a new home, and 2) require electricity, gas, or fuel to operate. For those accustomed to central heating, its absence can be a cultural shock. And it’s easy to see why: Cyprus is known for its warm climate and low crime rate, but the government does not particularly prioritize heating needs.

There is also no centralized gas supply. Locals buy gas cylinders, which are connected to household appliances. On average, a 10 kg cylinder costs between €15.94 and €21.80.

One unexpected aspect of life in Cyprus for newcomers is that utility bills are issued every two months. This is important to keep in mind when planning a personal budget.

Cyta’s home internet plans start at €33 per month for 200 Mbps and go up to €88 for 2 Gbps. There are packages with a fixed number of minutes per month and discounts for youth and students. Prices from private providers are competitive with Cyta — some cheaper, some more expensive.

Cyprus residents spend around 6.7% of their monthly budget on sports and entertainment. The cost of books, cinema or theatre tickets, as well as gym memberships, is relatively high. A paperback book starts at €10, a cinema ticket also costs €10, and a gym membership averages €66.30 per month.

Beach access is free, while sunbed or umbrella rentals start at €2.50. Swimming pool memberships range from €80 to €150 per month. Tickets to museums and archaeological exhibitions cost between €3 and €9.

Eating out in Cyprus is not cheap: even local fast food (gyros, souvlaki) costs €5–8 per person, and a mid-range restaurant meal for two starts at €60. However, staying away from tourist areas makes it possible to enjoy delicious food without overspending.

Living in a village offers more than proximity to nature. On holidays, everyone can take part in local festivals and fairs free of charge.

Cyprus has a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can find enjoyable and affordable ways to relax.

Cyprus has left-hand traffic, which may be challenging for drivers used to driving on the right. Expat driving licences are valid for six months after arrival; after that, they must be exchanged for a Cypriot licence.

According to Numbeo, the average price of petrol in Cyprus is €1.40 per litre. Don’t forget about the mandatory vehicle inspection every two years (€35) and car insurance, which costs around €200 per year.

Car-sharing rentals start from €25 per day. A used car can be purchased for around €5,000.

A bus ticket costs €2.40 during the day or €4 at night (in Larnaca and Nicosia). An anonymous rechargeable monthly pass is €50 for regular passengers and €25 for those eligible for reduced fares. Personal rechargeable passes are available for a week, a month, or a year, costing €25, €50, and €480 respectively. Certain categories — students, schoolchildren, pensioners — can receive a 50% discount.

A taxi ride usually costs around €5.80 plus €1.98 per kilometre. Many local drivers do not use meters or apps like Uber, so fares can often be negotiated directly.

Public transport options, especially in rural areas, can be limited. Buses are the main mode of transportation and mostly run between larger cities. There is no railway system on the island.

Most residents prefer driving, especially outside city centres. The roads are well maintained, and traffic is manageable even during peak hours.

Bicycles are popular in Larnaca and Paphos, with rental prices ranging from €8 to €32 per day. Electric scooters are also available in major cities, starting from €15 for 20 km.

When moving to a new country, it’s important to understand what monthly budget you’ll need for a comfortable life — this helps in choosing a job with the right level of pay. For those who want to improve their own quality of life and support their families, it also matters how much money can be sent home every month.

Even on money transfers you can save — it’s enough to choose a reliable service provider with low fees. One such option is the Korona app. It offers some of the lowest markups for transfers to 60+ countries. Money arrives almost instantly, and recipients can get it either to a bank card or in cash.

Korona is available for download in the App Store and Google Play.

You can find many more articles about life, work, and education in Europe in our catalogue.