Cyprus Guide: Everything About Holidays, Living, and Residency

Cyprus welcomes foreigners who make the island their permanent residence. We have prepared a detailed guide on what you need to know about everyday life on the island.

Why Choose Cyprus?

For many years, Cyprus has remained one of the main points of attraction for tourists: here you can enjoy wonderful weather, beautiful beaches, warm and clean seas; it is rich in culture, and the delicious food perfectly showcases the Mediterranean diet.

What Language is Spoken in Cyprus?

The native language of the local population is Greek. But it is worth remembering that Cyprus was part of the British Empire for a long time, and one of the legacies of this period is a good knowledge of English. The population of Cyprus amounts to approximately 1.3M people, taking into account the unrecognized Northern part.

English is spoken almost everywhere in Cyprus.

Where is Cyprus?

The sunny island is located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Every year it becomes an increasingly attractive destination: foreigners choose Cyprus not only as a holiday destination, but also consider the country for permanent residence. The Republic is constantly developing: new residential complexes are being built in the capital and other large cities, offices of the largest international companies are opening, and cultural and entertainment venues for adults and children are opening.

In addition, living in the Republic is safe and comfortable – there is a low crime rate, a convenient healthcare system for residency holders, an eco-friendly environment and diverse nature.

What are the big cities in Cyprus? There are several: the capital, Nicosia (in Greek – Lefkosia); coastal Limassol; Larnaca, where the country’s largest airport is located; the quiet resort of Paphos; touristy Ayia Napa and Protaras; as well as many small, cosy villages by the sea, and in the mountains.

Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos are the central regions of Cyprus in the southern part of the island. Two more regions are located in the unrecognised northern part – Famagusta and Kyrenia.

Do you need a visa to Cyprus in 2025? If you are an EU or EFTA national, then you don’t require a visa. Also, there is a list of non-EU/EFTA countries who have reached a visa-waiver agreement with Cyprus. Nationals of these visa-exempt non-EU/EFTA countries (eg. the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, etc.) do not need a tourist visa for Cyprus.

Finances and Cost of Living

How much money do you need to live in Cyprus? According to Numbeo, one person in Limassol needs €950 excluding rent; a family of four needs about €3,350. The monthly amount may vary – much depends on the city you plan to live in.

Real estate prices in Cyprus largely depend on the location of the property, its size and the year the complex was built. At the same time, renting the property usually makes up the largest part of the expenses. For a 2-3 bedroom apartment in Limassol, you will need to pay about €1,800-€2,000. In addition, when signing the contract, the landlord will ask for a deposit in the amount of one or two rents. An additional deposit may be required if you have pets. Utility payments are paid separately: bills come every 2-3 months.

How to Get a Residence Permit in Cyprus

Foreigners who want to live in Cyprus permanently need to legalise themselves. There are several types of residence permits in the country, the requirements of whic are generally similar. To obtain a residence permit in Cyprus, there must be grounds: employment, study, research or internship work, family reunification. As a rule, a Cypriot residence permit is issued for a year with the possibility of extension.

To maintain the status, you can stay outside the country for no more than 90 days in a row. In Cyprus, you can also get permanent residence for yourself and your entire family when purchasing real estate. For this, you need to meet certain conditions – purchase housing valued upwards of €300,000 directly from the developer in a new building. Permanent residence permit holders (unlike those who have obtained a temporary residence permit) are not required to reside on the island permanently or for a certain number of days a year – it is enough to come at least once every 2 years. Detailed information about the permanent residence by investment programme can be found in consultation with an Astons expert.

Taxes in Cyprus

There are two types of tax residency in Cyprus: domicile and non-domicile. Domicile status is granted to persons who were born in Cyprus or have lived on the island for 17 of the last 20 years.

The non-domicile status is available to individuals who are not domiciled residents. This is exactly what foreigners who decide to move to the country can get. It significantly eases the tax burden. For example, non-domicile holders are exempt from paying taxes on dividends, wealth, inheritance, and also taxes on the sale of securities.

Income tax in Cyprus is calculated on a progressive scale. For incomes below €19,500, a resident is exempt from paying tax. Above this amount, taxes are calculated as follows:

• €19,501—€28,000: 20%
• €28,001—€36,300: 25%
• €36,301—€60,000: 30%
• From €60,000: 35%

You can obtain tax resident status under the 183-day rule or the 60-day rule. The country has a record low rate on trading profits in the EU: companies are subject to corporate tax at 12.5%. IT companies can take advantage of a special tax regime called IP Box, which allows them to reduce the taxation of income from intellectual property (for example, from software development) to an effective rate of 2.5%.

Bank Account in Cyprus

It is still possible to open a bank account in Cyprus for foreigners, but it is quite difficult. Non-residents must undergo additional checks and confirm the legality of the origin of funds. For residents, the procedure will be a little simpler, but everything depends on each individual case.

Healthcare

The island has an excellent healthcare system: Cyprus residents can take out state insurance (GESY). It allows free or low-cost (from €1) visits to a general practitioner, significant discounts on visits to other specialists, and even prescription medications at a reduced price. All those working or receiving income from rent or business on the island pay up to 4.7% monthly to the Cyprus Social Insurance Fund.

Patients can choose which clinic to visit – private or public. With work insurance, the cost of private doctors’ services and expensive procedures (for example, MRI) can be reimbursed.

People who have received permanent residence for purchasing real estate also have the right to register with GESY. After that, they can apply for an EHIC card, which allows them to receive medical care at Cypriot prices in almost all European countries.

Transport

Cyprus has a well-developed public transport system: large air-conditioned buses travel around the cities, and there are also intercity routes and aeroexpress trains that take you to the airports of Larnaca and Paphos. The cost of one trip in the city starts from €1.5. In addition, you can get a monthly travel card (about €30).

Locals and residents often choose to drive a personal or rented car. Cyprus drives on the left side of the road. This is a legacy of its time as a British colony.

For more than 50 years the island has been divided into two parts. Northern Cyprus is an unrecognised territory that has been in dispute for many years. It can be legally visited if you enter through one of the checkpoints in the southern part of the island. It is important to remember that car insurance purchased in the Republic of Cyprus may not be valid in Northern Cyprus. And not all car rental services allow entry there.

Business

Cyprus is a great place, not only for recreation, but also for business development. The island ranks 45th in the list of the best countries for startups around the world. The Republic offers special, long-term visas to digital nomads working remotely. Companies can count on beneficial tax rates, which are considered to be among the lowest in Europe.

Transferring business to Cyprus, or registering a new company on the island, is quite simple, you don’t even need to learn Greek: it’s easy to find lawyers and accountants on the island who speak English.

Education

Cyprus is great for families with children. School and university programmes on the island meet international standards. From a very young age, children will be able to grow up in a multicultural environment and learn different languages.

Part of the legacy of being a former British colony is that private kindergartens and schools operate the British national curriculum, or the International Baccalaureate system, and all instruction is in English.

State kindergartens and schools in Cyprus also provide a good education. But it is worth considering that the teaching there is in Greek.

Cuisine

Cyprus has delicious cuisine, which consists of fairly simple dishes: the most traditional thing you can order in a restaurant is a mezze of various treats – fish, meat or vegetable. Cypriots love coffee and cannot imagine the morning without a cold cup – Freddo espresso. They wash dinner down with local wine or beer – these drinks have been made on the island for 4,000 years.

Although Cyprus is surrounded by the sea, local fish is not served in restaurants. Seafood dishes are often prepared from imported raw products.

The multinational island offers dishes from many different countries – there are places with Lebanese, French and Mediterranean cuisine.

Leisure

Limassol and other large cities offer a wide range of entertainment for adults and children. Foreign theatre troupes come to the island on tour, musicians and stand-up comedians bring their acts, and cinemas show new, international releases. Films are shown in the original language, with Greek subtitles.

For those who enjoy active recreation, there are many fitness clubs on the island. Many trainers organise outdoor classes when the weather permits. In addition, Cypriots and expats go jogging, play tennis and go hiking.

If you miss snow and frost, in winter you can go to the ski resort in the Troodos Mountains. And in summer, to the indoor skating rink in Limassol, which is open all year round.

Travel

Cyprus shouldn’t be thought of solely as a beach resort. There are indeed many beautiful beaches all over the island, including those marked with the Blue Flag, but in addition to this, there are various attractions to be found here.

In Cyprus you can find national parks; beautiful hiking trails in the mountains; hidden, picturesque bays; historical sites (three of which are UNESCO heritage sites), and other beautiful places. In addition, the location of the island allows easy access to other countries. Cyprus residence permits and permanent residence permits allow you to get on the island without a Schengen visa. European low-cost airlines fly to Larnaca and Paphos airports, with tickets starting from €50.

Choosing a Place to Live and Obtaining Permission to Move

Cyprus offers accommodation for every taste and budget, be it a luxury apartment overlooking a marina with expensive yachts, or a private villa with its own pool, located a stone’s throw from the beach. It is important to remember that with a national visa or Schengen you can spend no more than 90 days in the country every six months. And in order to stay on the island, you need to get a long-term visa, a temporary residence permit or a permanent residence permit. The grounds for their registration may be:

• Studying at a local university
• Official employment
• Marriage to a citizen of Cyprus
• Opening a startup on the island
• Availability of remote work with a stable income
• Visiting relatives legally residing in the country.

The validity of long-term visas and residence permits depends on their type. Read more about how to obtain the status of a resident of Cyprus.

Most residence permits require permanent residence in Cyprus without the possibility of long-term absence. The exception is the golden visa, that is, the permanent residence programme for investments. You can get this residence permit for the whole family for an investment of €300,000. It is enough to come to the island at least once every 2 years. After seven years from the date of receiving permanent residence, you can apply for citizenship by naturalisation. Our specialists will help you choose a suitable property for living or investment and will accompany you at all stages of obtaining permanent residence.

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Cyprus in terms of weather conditions?

The tourist season in Cyprus opens in early May and ends in October. In spring, the weather is milder, but you can already swim; in the summer months, the air warms up to 30c and above during the day – this is the most popular time for a resort holiday; and in autumn, the “velvet” season begins, with hot days and cool evenings.

How developed is healthcare?

Cyprus has a well-developed healthcare system. Residents of Cyprus can take out state insurance (GESY). It allows you to visit a general practitioner for free or at a low cost (from €1), visit other specialists at a significant discount, and even get prescription medications at a reduced price. In addition, there are many private clinics on the island.

Are there any special requirements for employing foreign citizens?

Foreigners must obtain a work permit in Cyprus. The employer usually handles this. There are also some conditions for Cypriot companies that hire citizens of other countries, such as what percentage of foreigners they can accept.

What is the procedure for obtaining permanent residence for investors?

To obtain this type of permanent residence, foreign citizens must invest in the country’s economy. The minimum amount is €300,000. The ideal option is to buy real estate. It should be primary and be purchased directly through the developer. The investor can rent out the property to generate passive income. Additional requirements for obtaining permanent residence include: no criminal record, confirmed annual income of at least €50,000 (increases when family members are included in the application), and submission of a tax return from your home country. Astons lawyers will help you understand each case in more detail.

How long is the residence permit valid?

Permanent residence permit is issued for 5 years with the possibility of extension. It is important to keep the property in your ownership.

Are there any restrictions on foreigners purchasing property?

Non-EU citizens must obtain permission to purchase property from the Council of Ministers. This is a formal procedure that usually does not entail any complications.

What additional taxes do non-residents pay in Cyprus?

Obtaining a permanent residence permit in Cyprus does not make its holder a tax resident of the country. This status can be obtained on the island under the 183-day rule or the 60-day rule. There is no annual property tax in Cyprus. However, when purchasing real estate, you must pay VAT. The standard rate is 19%; for the first home, a reduced rate of 5% is applied (applies to the first 130 sq. m). You must also pay stamp duty within a month – its rate is 0.2%. The first €5,000 of the property value is not subject to stamp duty. Non-residents will not have to pay taxes on foreign income.