This post was most recently updated on January 6th, 2023
Compared to other European countries, Cyprus is less costly to live in for international students.
Foreign Students in Cyprus are allowed to work for 20 hours a week. Usually, they get 5 Euro per hour wage.
If we calculate that on a monthly basis, students can earn around 400 to 500 Euros per month.
500 Euros per month is a good amount of money. But if you are planning on paying your college fee with that money too, then that amount is much lesser for you.
To understand in detail about the student income in Cyprus, I suggest you read this article:
How much can an International student earn in Cyprus?
Today in this article, we will learn about the cost of living in Cyprus for international students. I will give you a brief figure on different daily life aspects in Cyprus and how much money you would need to pay for them.
Related article: A detailed Guide about Cyprus (Everything You Need To Know)
Housing
Room rent in the City area is higher than in urban/village areas. Sometimes it’s almost double.
Village area:
- Room rent for a month: 100-150 Euro
- 1 bedroom apartment rent: 350-500 Euro
- Three-bedroom apartment rent: 450-600 Euro
City area:
- Room rent for a month: 250-350 Euro
- 1 bedroom apartment rent: 600-900 Euro
- Three-bedroom apartment rent: 750-1000 Euro
If the apartment is new, rent is usually higher.
Transportation
Inside a city or let’s say local transportation, the bus fare is 1.50 Euro for a 1-way ticket.
For example, if you travel inside Nicosia (the capital city), you only pay 1.50 Euro.
When you get registered in your college, you will get the European Youth Card. With that card, you get a 50% discount on local transportation.
With the European Youth Card, you will only have to pay 0.75 Euro for a 1-way ticket.
City-to-city travel
If you travel from one city to another city, your bus fare is 2.50 Euro for a 1-way ticket.
For example, if you ride a bus from Nicosia to Limassol, you pay 2.50 Euro.
Taxi fare
- Upon booking: 5 Euro
- 1 km drive: 1-1.5 Euro
If you are single or two people, they might charge you less. If you are more than 2, the taxi fare is more.
Also, if you are shifting from one place to another place, they charge for your items too. So taxi’s usually don’t have a fixed rate.
Groceries
If you are from Asia, you will find similar prices on food items in Cyprus compared with your country.
There might be a few ups and downs in the prices from city to village; otherwise, the cost of most of the food items is the same all over Cyprus.
- Rice: Basmati (20 kg): 16-20 Euro
- Potato (1 kg): 0.80-1 Euro
- Water bottle (1 liter): 0.75-1.50 Euro
- Tomato (1 Kg): 0.70-1.50 Euro
- Onion (1 Kg): 0.50-1.20 Euro
- Milk (1 liter): 1.20-1.50 Euro
- Apple (1 Kg): 1.5-2.60 Euro
- Strawberry (1 Kg): 1.50-2 Euro
- Bread (1 Kg): 1-2.50 Euro
- Wine (1 bottle): 1.50-15 Euro
- Eggs (30 Pieces): 3.50-4.25 Euro
- Chicken (1 Kg): 1.5-2.5 Euro
Personal care
I have found personal care items to be a bit expensive compared to my country. Here are some that you might need to know the price of:
- Detergent (5 Kg): 4.50-10 Euro
- Toothpaste: 1.5-2 Euro
- Dettol Soap (4 pieces): 3.50-4.25 Euro
- Shampoo: 2.40-6 Euro
- Deodorant: 2-5 Euro
- Toilet paper (1 normal roll): 0.50-2 Euro
- Kitchen paper (1 normal roll): 2.30-4 Euro
- Normal Haircut: 5-7 Euro
- Standard Haircut: 10-20 Euro
Utilities
Utility bills are expensive in Cyprus compared to India/Nepal.
- Electricity (AC, Heater, Electric Cooker, washing machine included) for a 3 bedroom flat: 70-100 Euro per month
- Water bill per person: 10-15 Euro per month
- Garbage: 2-5 Euro per month
Internet and Telephone services are manageable.
- Phone Call (per minute): 0.10-0.15 Euro
- SMS: 0.02-0.05 Euro
- Wi-Fi (20 Mbps): 40-60 Euro per month
Conclusion
I have experienced Cyprus for more than a year now. According to me, the cost of living in Cyprus for an international student is affordable only if you have a proper job or you get money from your parents every month.
You don’t get to do a high-profile job as a student. No good job means not good money.
Again, it’s totally up to you. If you don’t waste your money on unnecessary things, the cost of living in Cyprus for you mightn’t be that expensive.
You may also like to read:
What is the legal drinking age in Cyprus?
Pros and Cons of studying in Cyprus
Bad things about Cyprus no one tells you about
