Living costs

Living in Cyprus: costs and considerations


Cost of living


Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Cyprus is quite reasonable. This means a high standard of living is accessible to most.
 
The estimated cost of living for the average student is currently between €700 and €1,000 per month, including rental costs.


 

Food shopping


The cost of the average basket of food (one week’s worth of food for a family of four) is around €40*, including meat, bread, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, vegetables, rice and alcohol. In Cyprus alcohol is allowed from the age of 18+. 

 
Rent


If you decide to stay in student halls, prices usually start at €180 per month and increase according to the room and facilities you choose. Alternatively, the cost of a room in a shared apartment close to your university, would cost around €400-500 per month, excluding other household expenses.

 

Internet

Most student halls of residence are fitted with an Internet and telephone connection, so students can easily log to the internet using their laptop or mobile phone. 
 
If you are not a student hall resident and wish to have your own internet connection at home, you can visit one of the companies mentioned below, to find the most available offer for you. In most cases, you need a landline for a standing Internet connection.
 
However, if you do not prefer an option like this, you can get by just fine without your own Internet connection. There are numerous workstations around campus at most universities, e.g. in the libraries, where you can surf the web for free. Alternatively, you can choose a cafe or restaurant, where you can usually freely browse the web, free of charge. If internet access is not open, just ask for login data.



Telephone

Once you have arrived in Cyprus, you can either sign a phone contract with a telephone company or purchase a pre-paid card. Pay attention to the duration of your contract. There are reasonable and advantageous offers, available for students.
 
The main mobile operators in Cyprus are:
-
Cyta
-MTN
-Primetel
-Cablenet
 
 

Moving around

With one of the highest car ownership per capita rates in the world, you will soon find out that driving is their most common mode of transport in Cyprus. While the island’s major cities have bus and taxi services, there is no operational railway service, as is common in most European countries. In Cyprus driving is allowed from the age of 18+. 

 
Public transport in Cyprus is largely restricted to private bus services and taxis, so options are limited – especially when travelling between urban centres. 

There are several kinds of bus services in Cyprus (Airport Transfer Buses, Interurban buses, Urban buses, Rural buses). Students get discounted monthly bus pass.
 You can find here all the information you need about the routes and the cost of travelling with a bus.


 Leisure


The cost of a meal in a restaurant starts from around €10* euros per person, while coffee is around €3*. A student ID or European Youth Card gives discounts and offers on a broad range of products and services, including transport, theatre shows, gigs, restaurants, shops and so on.

 
 
*Based on July 2018 information supplied by Numbeo

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