Located in the heart of the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus is known for its beaches, Mediterranean cuisine and hospitable people. The island attracts many expatriates looking for a high quality of life in a pleasant environment and a stable economy. But what is the cost of living for expats in Cyprus? In this guide, Foyer Global Health gives you a comprehensive overview of the cost of living in Cyprus.
Overview of the average cost of living in Cyprus
| Services | Average price |
|---|---|
| Average net monthly salary | €1,640 |
| Rental price for a 1-room apartment in the city center | €950 on average |
| Average price per square meter for an apartment in the city center | Between €1,800 and €5,000 |
| Petrol (1L) | €1.40 |
| Gym membership for one person | €60 on average |
| Cost of living in Cyprus compared to Germany | About 17% cheaper |
The above values are for reference only. Source : Numbeo 2024.
Cyprus: Republic and official currency
Since 1974, Cyprus has been divided into two parts: the Republic of Cyprus in the south, with Nicosia as its capital, and the Turkish Republic of Cyprus in the north. In general, the cost of living in Cyprus is lower in the north of the island than in the south, particularly with regard to prices for housing and food.
The official currency of Cyprus is the euro (EUR), which replaced the Cyprus pound (CYP) in 2008.
Housing in Cyprus
The housing budget is the largest expense for living in Cyprus.
- To rent a one-bedroom apartment, you should generally plan for a monthly budget of between €450 and €1,600, depending on the area.
- If you want to buy a property, the average price per square meter is between €1,300 and €5,000.
Here is a table showing the average rental and purchase prices for properties in the largest cities in Cyprus:
| Housing in Cyprus | Price in Nikosia | Price in Larnaca | Price in Paphos | Price in Limassol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center | €600 | €920 | €900 | €1,450 |
| Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | €530 | €700 | €690 | €1,130 |
| Average purchase price per m2 in the city center | €2400 | €3,000 | €3,000 | €4,500 |
| Average purchase price per m2 outside the city center | €1,650 | €2,060 | €1,900 | €4,050 |
Additional energy costs (electricity, gas, water, air conditioning, etc.) are also added to the utility costs. Expect an average monthly budget of €175 for an 85 m2 apartment.
Food prices in Cyprus
The budget for groceries in Cyprus is the second largest item of expenditure that you should plan for in Cyprus. To give you a better idea of the prices involved, here is the average cost of groceries in Cyprus:
| Food | Price in Cyprus |
| Eggs (12 pieces) | €3.60 |
| Chicken breasts (1 kg) | €8 |
| Red meat (1 kg) | €12.70 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | €2.65 |
| Onions (1 kg) | €1.25 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | €1.25 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | €1.80 |
| Apples (1 kg) | €2.50 |
| Milk (1 L) | €1.60 |
| Water (1,5 L) | €0.84 |
| Local beer (33 cl bottle) | €1.60 |
| Imported beer (33 cl bottle) | €2.25 |
Transportation in Cyprus
There are three types of buses in Cyprus: intercity, urban and rural. The average price for a one-way ticket on an urban bus is around €2.
Taxis are also divided into three categories with different prices:
- Interurban shared taxis: between €8.50 and €14.20 per trip.
- Urban shared taxis: €3.80 for pick-up, plus €0.95 per kilometer.
- Rural shared taxis: starting price of €3.65.
Drivers, for their part, can enjoy Cyprus’ road infrastructure while driving their own car, with an average petrol price of around €1.40 per liter.
Healthcare prices in Cyprus
Here is a list of average prices for certain medical services in Cyprus:
| Medical services | Average price |
| Consultation with a general practitioner | €50 to €100 |
| Consultation with a specialist | €150 to €300 |
| Consultation with a dentist | €50 to €100 |
| Hospitalisation | €1,000 to €5,000 depending on the treatment required |
| Stay in a maternity hospital (3 to 4 days) | €2,000 to €3,000 |
Although the Cypriot healthcare system was reformed in 2019, it still has some limitations, particularly in terms of medical infrastructure. It is therefore recommended that you take out international health insurance to ensure you and your family have high-quality coverage.
Education in Cyprus
The Cypriot school system is divided into three levels of education:
- Preschool (3-6 years)
- Primary (6-12 years)
- Secondary (12-18 years).
In Nicosia, parents can opt for French-language education and register their child at the École Franco-Chypriote, a school accredited by the Institut Français de Cyprus. The costs for the 2024-2025 school year are as follows:
- Registration fee: €700.
- Preschool: €3,975.
- Primary school: €5,040.
- Middle school: €5,350.
- High school: €6,750.s
Parents of a toddler may also choose to enroll their child in a private kindergarten, with monthly costs averaging €400.
Telecommunications services in Cyprus
Telecommunications services in Cyprus are offered at different prices depending on the provider. The following prices are offered by Cyta, one of the largest internet providers in the country, for an internet subscription:
- Internet Home 200 Mbps: €30.19/month.
- Internet Home 300 Mbps: €40.59/month.
- Internet Home 500 Mbps: €54.49/month.
For mobile telephony, the specialist provider EPIC offers the following:
- 5G Value: 300 minutes of calls, 300 SMS and 1 GB of data for €9.99.
- 5G Advanced: 800 minutes of calls, 800 SMS and 8 GB of data for €19.99.
- 5G Unlimited Max Plus: Unlimited calls, SMS and data for €24.99.
Things to do in Cyprus
Cyprus is a Mediterranean island where life is good. The country’s many leisure activities and attractions are partly responsible for its high quality of life!
- Finikoudes beach in Larnaca: €2.50 for a sun lounger and €2.50 for a parasol.
- Spend a day at the WaterWorld water park in Ayia Napa: €30 per child aged 3 to 12 and €50 per adult.
- Go to the movies: €10 per ticket.
- Rent a tennis court (1 hour): €23 on average.
- Drink two cappuccinos in a café: between €4 and €10.
- A dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant: around €60.
Cost of living in Cyprus compared to Turkey
The cost of living in Cyprus is on average 39% higher than in Turkey. This difference is particularly noticeable in the shopping budget (29% higher in Cyprus), but also in the cost of housing and leisure activities.
Food items
- 1.5L bottle of water: €0.84 in Cyprus, compared to €0.29 in Turkey.
- Local cheese (500g): €1.77 in Cyprus, compared to €0.93 in Turkey.
- A dozen eggs: €3.60 in Cyprus compared to €1.40 in Turkey.
- Potatoes: €1.25 in Cyprus compared to €0.50 in Turkey.
- Tomatos: €2.65 in Cyprus compared to €1 in Turkey.
Accomodation in Cyprus compared to Turkey
- On average, the budget for renting a one-bedroom apartment in Cyprus is €750-€950. In Turkey, it is €360-€500.
- The median price per square meter in city centers is €3,150 in Cyprus and €1,800 in Turkey.
Leisure
- Eating out (for one person) in a low-cost restaurant: €15 in Cyprus compared to €8 in Turkey.
- Gym membership: €60 in Cyprus compared to €35 in Turkey.
- Cinema ticket: €10 in Cyprus compared to €5 in Turkey.