How much does life in Limassol cost?

The cost of living in Cyprus has been rising steadily in recent times. Limassol is the financial capital of Cyprus, and at the same time its IT capital. Many well-known companies have their offices here, which attracts the city due to its proximity to the sea, unlike Nicosia, which is located in the interior of the island.

How much money is needed per month to live in Cyprus and specifically in Limassol in 2024?

It depends on several factors. First, of course, on the composition of your family, on what age your children are. Let's assume that you, as well as I have two schoolchildren. For living you will need an apartment with at least two bedrooms. In Cyprus, a 2-bedroom apartment is an apartment with three rooms, one of which is a combined kitchen and living area.

The cost of a two-bedroom apartment, usually with two toilets, but without furniture in the area near the sea, which we call a "tourist area" starts from 1.6 thousand euros per month.

If the apartment is rented with furniture, it is already 2 000 euros or more. If it is some fashionable furniture, then 2.5 thousand euros, and if it is a luxury designer renovation in a new house with a swimming pool or sea view, the price of such an apartment will be about 5-6 thousand euros a month. And, by the way, such apartments are rented quite a lot. The cost of 3-bedroom apartments in Limassol starts from 1.8 thousand euros per month, and a villa with a pool in the city can be rented from 2.5 thousand euros. In the area of the old town apartments are somewhat cheaper. But the real estate is much older. At the same time, narrow streets on which it is difficult to get to school in the morning. Many schools are located outside the city.

When renting an apartment, you sign a 1 year contract and pay a refundable deposit. If you move out after one year, the deposit will not be refunded. The owner of the property also has the right to withhold the deposit if he is not satisfied with the condition of the apartment. Then he will use the deposit for repairs.

In Cyprus there is no heating and electricity is quite expensive.

In winter, you can of course practice the English approach with a cold bedroom +16 and sleep in a tasseled hat, but we still prefer a boring heater. You can warm the air in the house with either an air conditioner or a space heater. Plus it also heats hot water.

Yes, yes, you can rent an apartment for 2 thousand euros and it won't have hot water. And this is normal. Water in summer is heated from solar panels in a boiler on the roof, and in winter it has to be additionally heated. And it costs an extra 300-500 euros a month. Again, the temperature of the water in the sea does not fall below 15 degrees, the sun shines almost constantly, so the sea is pretty much always an option.

In summer, again, you have to spend extra money on electricity as air conditioners work almost around the clock, otherwise, you can melt. When renting and buying real estate you should pay attention to the presence of modern solar panels, as they are much more ergonomic and, according to people I know, save energy bills by more than half. There is an option to rent a house behind the highway, or in a neighboring girl in the foothills. Such houses usually have a fireplace, it is necessary to heat it with coal, which is also expensive in Cyprus. Trees are scarce here.

In Limassol, it is difficult to do without your transportation.

There are few buses, the railroad has been abandoned, and the subway has not yet been dug. Relatively old BMW costs about 5-10 thousand euros, and new cars with minimal mileage will cost from 15-20 thousand euros. Renting a car for a month starts from 300 euros a month. And this is the cost in winter, in the season will be more expensive. Gaining momentum in Limassol carsharing service. This is a rental car through a special application. The cost is somewhere from 30 euros a day.

Car insurance costs an average of 300-500 euros a year, depending on the car. Gasoline and diesel fuel for driving is about 1.6 euros per liter. In winter, gasoline is usually cheaper. Now, for example, you can find gas stations selling fuel for 1.45 euros per liter. In total, you need to budget 50-60 euros a month for gasoline. By the way, car-sharing or renting a car is a great solution for those who have not yet decided how long they will stay on the island.

For groceries, a family of four spends an average of 400-600 euros a month.

One trip to the supermarket where I pick up food for 2-3 days costs about 100 euros. Keep in mind that we have two boys, whose growing bodies require fuel constantly. Plus all sorts of cafes and restaurants at will. There are a few good coffee shops in Limassol now, where the price of my favorite large cappuccino on coconut is 4.5 euros. I call this the "Cappuccino Index" and check it out in every town. The hamburger index in Limassol is 1.6 euros. Compared to other EU countries, Cyprus has delicious and high-quality fruits and vegetables. There are a few stores with eco products. Not enough, in my opinion.

Most of the family budget is taken up by paying for kindergartens and schools.

Yes, for those relocants who have a residence permit, there is an opportunity to arrange children in a free public Greek school or kindergarten. At the time, the reviews of public schools are very good. But those who move to Cyprus, for the most part, seek to give their children an education in English. Historically, people used to move to the island to give their children a good education, but now the trends have changed. The cost of English kindergarten in Limassol starts from 350 euros per month. Private school costs parents from 500 euros per month, depending on the level of school and class in which the child goes. Secondary school is more expensive than elementary school. For example, the cost of education in the new school The Island is 9.8 thousand euros per year. It should be taken into account that the school lasts until 14, and then children usually pay for one or two or three extra classes and online learning, which is about 80 euros per month for one class. You should also take into account the cost of the bus to school and lunches. Let me tell you right away that online education is legally prohibited in Cyprus. When extending your residence permit you will be asked to provide a certificate from the school.

As for our family, we still spend part of the money monthly on cultural outings.

In recent years, to my great delight, many talented artists have come to Cyprus, concerts are organized in stadiums, exhibitions and master classes are regularly held. The cost of a master class for adults is now in the neighborhood of 50 euros. As for clothes and shoes, in Limassol are the main popular storess like Zara, H&M and so on. The cost of clothes in them is the same as in other countries.

An important part is health and beauty expenses.

A manicure in Limassol will cost you about 50 euros. It costs the same amount to get a tooth filled at my dentist. As a person who had appendicitis taken out for a fee, I highly recommend that you take out private health insurance (cost from 150 euros per month) or enroll in a GESI. I still feel pain in the area of the bank card at the memory of 4,3 thousand euros for the operation. It was done in Igia. Everything went, of course, on a high level. The day after the operation we could go home. By the way, medical insurance is often paid by the company to its employees, so when you are employed, clarify this point.

Let's continue.

A trip to the masseuse will cost you 40-50 euros, now fashionable nutritionists and osteopaths 80-100 euros per appointment. If you have a small child, you will have to pay for part of the vaccinations, part of the vaccinations can be done at the expense of the state. Childbirth in a private clinic will cost from 3.5 thousand euros.

Here, in general, such expenses. You still need to save for a vacation and the education of your children. On the positive side, you can save a lot if you live not in Limassol, but in Nicosia, Paphos, or Larnaca. According to the calculations of local analysts savings when moving from Limassol, for example, to Larnaca can be 1.5-1.6 thousand euros for our family. In Larnaca not only cheaper rent, but also products and services.

When receiving a long-awaited offer, think it over and come! We look forward to seeing you in Cyprus health and wealth!:)

Read also:

1. Cyprus history exam: personal experience
2. Jobs in Cyprus
3. Cyprus Weather Forecast: Current Temperature and 10-Day Average for Nicosia, Limassol, and Paphos
4. Cyprus residence permit in 2024
5. Presidents of Cyprus
6. Work Permit in Cyprus