What is the cost of living in Cyprus in 2025
The cost of living in Cyprus in 2025 depends on many factors: the city of residence, lifestyle, individual needs, and income level. The concept of "expensive" or "affordable" varies for everyone. In this article, we focus on a person with a gross annual income of €40,000 considering relocating to Cyprus.
💡 The Numbeo service provides a general overview of living costs, but for a more accurate picture, it’s better to consult local platforms like Bazaraki and Facebook Marketplace. These platforms will help you assess current prices for rent, transportation, and other expenses more precisely.
Consider Your Employer’s Benefits Package
Before planning your expenses, it’s important to clarify what’s included in your employer’s compensation package. Some companies offer:
Office meals: Corporate lunches included in the package can reduce monthly food costs.
Corporate transportation: Access to a company shuttle or reimbursement for transportation costs can save on fuel, car rentals, or taxi expenses.
Private health insurance: Coverage for additional medical services not included in GESY, such as dental, ophthalmology, or specialized procedures.
Childcare and school expenses: Some companies partially or fully cover preschool education or private/international school fees for children, significantly easing the financial burden on families.
Such additional benefits can significantly reduce financial pressure.
Housing
Rental prices depend on the region, location, and type of property. Limassol remains the most expensive city, while Larnaca, Paphos, and Nicosia offer more affordable options.
Limassol: High rental prices, developed infrastructure, popular among expats.
Larnaca and Paphos: More affordable cities with a relaxed pace of life.
Nicosia: An affordable capital with a rich cultural scene.
Villages: Cheaper rent but higher transportation costs.
Approximate prices:
One-bedroom apartment in the city center: €600 – €1,600, depending on the city.
Three-bedroom apartment outside the center: €1,100 – €2,500.
Groceries and Dining
Groceries in Cyprus are relatively inexpensive, but much depends on your preferences.
Cooking at home:
Monthly food expenses are around €300-€500 per person.
Dining out:
Taverns: Dinner with traditional dishes like meze costs €20-€30 per person.
Mid-range restaurants: Dinner for two with drinks costs €50-€70.
Coffee shops: A cup of coffee, like a cappuccino, costs around €2-€4.
These expenses vary depending on the city, neighborhood, and level of establishments.
Transportation
Public transportation in Cyprus is underdeveloped, with a limited bus network that doesn’t cover all areas and runs infrequently. Additionally, summer temperatures often reach +40°C, making waiting for buses or walking highly inconvenient. A car often becomes a necessity for comfortable and mobile living.
Fuel (1 liter): €1.40.
Taxi (10 km): €10-€15.
Buying a used car:
A basic, older car can cost from €3,000, but maintenance and repair costs may be significant.
A small car around 10 years old in good condition costs €10,000+, with lower maintenance costs in the near future.
Car rentals and carsharing:
Car rental: Suitable for longer trips and exploring the island. Prices start at €20-30 per day.
Carsharing: Convenient for short city trips, with pay-per-minute or hourly rates via mobile apps.
Bicycles and e-scooters:
Bicycle infrastructure is almost nonexistent, except for some tourist areas and parks.
E-scooters and similar transport options face challenges due to limited pathways and heavy traffic, making them less safe.
💡 When choosing a car, consider not only the purchase price but also fuel, insurance, maintenance, and annual inspection costs.
Utilities
Basic utilities (electricity, water, garbage collection): €150-€250 per month.
Internet and mobile services: €30-€60 per month.
Healthcare
Cyprus has a National Health System (GESY) that covers basic medical services for residents, including doctor consultations, hospitalizations, tests, and prescription medications. However, there are nuances:
GESY:
Access to general practitioners (GPs) and specialists by referral.
Low-cost prescription medications and tests.
Most services are included, but a small fixed fee applies for each service (e.g., €6 per specialist visit).
Private healthcare:
Faster appointments and no waiting times.
Consultation fees start at €40-€70, depending on the specialist.
Dental, ophthalmology, and cosmetic services are paid separately.
Private insurance:
Covers services not included in GESY, such as dental care, major surgeries, and private clinic hospitalization.
Policies range from €300-€1,000 per year, depending on the package.
Additional medical expenses:
Medications: Often cheaper at public pharmacies, but some may not be covered by GESY.
Dentistry: Basic check-ups start at €50.
Childcare and Education
Daycares:
Public: Free for children aged 3+, but spaces are limited.
Private: €150-€400 per month, with additional registration fees (~€100).
International: Catered to expats, with English-language programs; costs are higher than private daycares.
Schools:
Public: Free, with Greek as the language of instruction.
Private: €5,000-€19,000 per year, offering education in English, Russian, or other languages.
International: Follow British or American curriculums, ideal for preparing students for foreign universities.
💡 Official Fees:
Private Secondary Schools (Gymnasium & Lyceum) – Tuition fees for the 2024–2025 academic year.
Private Primary Schools (Dimotiko) – Annual tuition fees for the 2024–2025 academic year.
Hidden Costs
Living outside major cities can significantly increase transportation costs. Owning a car adds monthly expenses for fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
Other hidden costs include:
Housing deposits: Typically one or two months’ rent, refundable if the property is in good condition.
Utility deposits: Required for connecting electricity and water, refundable but must be paid upfront.
Electricity: Air conditioning runs almost non-stop in summer, while heating in winter also increases energy consumption.
Car maintenance: Regular servicing, parts replacement, and insurance can add up, especially for older cars.
Healthcare: Services or medications not covered by GESY or private insurance may result in additional expenses, such as dentistry or specialized procedures.
Adapting to local prices: It takes time to learn where to shop for the best deals.
Useful Apps and Websites for Cyprus
This is a basic list of essential services for living and working. Cyprus is rapidly developing and digitizing, so refer to the Internet and your colleagues for more detailed information.
Transport & Mobility
Taxi: Bolt, CABCY, Alfa Taxi
Public Transport: www.publictransport.com.cy
Carsharing: RideNow
Scooter sharing: Electra
Car Rentals: Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Hertz
Maps: Google, Waze
Food & Shopping
Food Delivery: Bolt, Wolt, Foody
Marketplaces (Homes, Cars, etc.): Facebook, Bazaraki.com
Supermarkets & Kiosks: Alphamega, Sklavenitis, Lidl, Metro, Papantoniou, Foodsaver, MMS (kiosks)
Telecommunications & Internet
SIM Cards: Primetel, Epic, Cyta
Home Internet: Cyta, Primetel, Cablenet
Messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber
Local News Websites: Cyprus Mail, In-Cyprus, Philenews
Healthcare
Clinics & Hospitals:
Nicosia – Nicosia General Hospital, Aretaeio Hospital, Apollonion Private Hospital, Hippocrateon Private Hospital, American Heart Institute, American Medical Center Nicosia
Limassol – Limassol General Hospital, Ygia Polyclinic, Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus, Vavilova Medical Center, Old Hospital, American Medical Center Limassol
Larnaca – Larnaca General Hospital, Saint Raphael Private Hospital
Paphos – Paphos General Hospital, Iasis Private Hospital, Evangelismos Private Hospital
Other Doctors: www.medhelp24.com/EN
Retail & Services
Electronics Shops: Public, Electroline, Stephanis, Bionic, Kotsovolos
Furniture & DIY: Mangas, Superhome, LEROY MERLIN, Ikea
Shopping Malls
MyMall (Limassol), Kings Avenue Mall (Paphos), Nicosia Mall (Nicosia), The Mall of Cyprus (Nicosia), Metropolis Mall (Larnaca)
Logistics & Banking
Courier Services: GAP Akis Express, ACS, DHL, UPS, Travel Express
Traditional Banks: Hellenic Bank, Bank of Cyprus, Alpha Bank, Eurobank
Alternative Banks: Revolut, Wise, Vivid Money, Monese
Conclusion
For a decent living in Cyprus, a person earning €40,000 gross annually will need a monthly budget of approximately €2,000-€3,000, covering rent, food, transportation, and utilities. However, the cost of living depends heavily on your lifestyle, family size, location, and many other factors. Of course, earning more is always better, but this amount can be sufficient for a normal life.
Choose your place of residence and plan your expenses based on personal priorities, comparing prices using global and local platforms.
Relocating to a new country and adjusting to local conditions and costs may take time. It’s recommended to have financial reserves to cover unexpected expenses during the first few months after the move.
