Nicosia
EUR
Greek, Turkish
UTC+2
Daily life
- Climate: Hot, dry summers (often above 35°C inland) and mild, short winters; snow only in the Troodos mountains. Wildfire risk from April to October.
- Safety: Crime against residents and visitors is uncommon; theft and drink spiking are the main risks. The island is divided: the north is not recognised by the UK or the EU, consular help there is limited and car insurance from the Republic may not be valid.
- English: common in cities and among younger people
- Expat community: large
Sources: UK travel advice: Cyprus, safety and security (checked 2026-10-22) · Cyprus Department of Meteorology (checked 2026-10-22)
Cost of living
| Monthly, EUR | Nicosia | Paphos | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Couple | Single | Couple | |
| Rent | 620 | 905 | 875 | 1,270 |
| Food | 470 | 840 | 450 | 810 |
| Utilities | 215 | 230 | 200 | 215 |
| Transport | 40 | 80 | 50 | 100 |
| Health cover | 100 | 200 | 100 | 200 |
| Leisure | 230 | 400 | 220 | 380 |
| Total | 1,675 | 2,655 | 1,895 | 2,975 |
Rent: a one-bedroom flat outside the centre for one person, between one and three bedrooms for a couple. Health: private insurance (or the public GeSY contribution, 2.65% of a pension). Utilities include internet; summer air conditioning raises electricity bills.
Sources: Numbeo: cost of living in Nicosia (updated Oct 2026) (checked 2026-10-22) · Numbeo: cost of living in Paphos (updated Oct 2026) (checked 2026-10-22)
Visas and residence
Category F immigration permit (retirees)
For people living on secured income from abroad (pensions, rents, dividends, interest) who will not work in Cyprus. Lawyers cite a minimum of about €9,570 a year for one person plus about €4,610 per dependant, but the Migration Department expects enough for a decent living and processing has taken years; you hold a temporary residence permit (pink slip) meanwhile. The permit stays valid if you visit Cyprus at least once every two years.
- Minimum income: 9,570 EUR a year
- Permanent: no renewals
- We could not confirm the income figure on the official site: check it with the Migration Department or a Cypriot lawyer.
- Spouse can be included
- Official page
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: registration certificate
No visa needed. Within 4 months, register with the Civil Registry and Migration Department (MEU1 certificate) with proof of resources and health cover.
Trying it first: United States passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa; United Kingdom passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa; Canada passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa.
Sources: GK Law Firm: retiring to Cyprus (Category F) (checked 2026-10-22) · Kyprianou: Category F immigration permit (checked 2026-10-22)
Healthcare
Cyprus has a public health system (GeSY) funded by contributions, 2.65% on pensions. Category F applicants need private insurance, and when non-EU retirees can join GeSY depends on their permit, so keep private cover until you are registered.
- Public system: Register with a GeSY family doctor once your residence status allows it; pensioners contribute 2.65% of their pension income.
- Private insurance, monthly (EUR): age 55-64: 80 · age 65-74: 130 · age 75+: 200
- Pre-existing conditions: varies by insurer
Sources: GeSY (Cyprus General Healthcare System) (checked 2026-10-22) · Expat Focus: healthcare in Cyprus for expats (checked 2026-10-22)
Taxes
Progressive rates up to 35%. Foreign pensions can instead be taxed at a flat 5% above €5,000 a year (the threshold was €3,420 until 2025), chosen each year. Non-domiciled residents pay no defence contribution on dividends and interest for 17 years. There is no wealth tax and no inheritance tax.
- When you become tax resident: More than 183 days in Cyprus in a year, or the 60-day rule: at least 60 days, no other tax residence, a home in Cyprus and ties such as a business or job there.
- Flat 5% on foreign pensions: Pensions for work done abroad can be taxed at 5% on the amount above €5,000 a year instead of the normal rates; you can choose each year whichever is lower.
Coming from United States
The US keeps taxing its citizens wherever they live (the treaty's saving clause); foreign tax credits are what prevent paying twice. Ask an adviser who knows both systems before you move.
- Tax treaty: yes
- Public pension: US Social Security is taxable only in the US (treaty Article 24).
- Private pension: Private pensions are taxable only in Cyprus as your country of residence (Article 23), where the 5% option can apply.
Sources: US–Cyprus income tax treaty (IRS) (checked 2026-10-22)
Coming from United Kingdom
Under the UK–Cyprus treaty, UK pensions paid to a resident of Cyprus are taxable only in Cyprus. Cyprus offers a 5% option on foreign pensions. Your UK State Pension rises each year while you live there (EEA country or social security agreement).
- Tax treaty: yes
- Public pension: Taxable only in Cyprus (pensions article of the 2018 treaty).
- Private pension: Taxable only in Cyprus (Article 17), where you can choose the flat 5% rate above €5,000 a year. Most UK government pensions (such as civil service pensions) are taxed only in the UK.
Sources: GOV.UK: Cyprus tax treaties (checked 2026-10-22) · GOV.UK: countries where the State Pension is increased each year (checked 2026-10-22) · GOV.UK: tax on your UK income if you live abroad (State Pension, Personal Allowance, government pensions) (checked 2026-10-22) · HMRC International Manual INTM343190: pensions and annuities (State Pension under tax treaties) (checked 2026-10-22)
Coming from France
A new treaty signed in December 2023 (awaiting ratification) will tax civil-service pensions in France, but keeps people already receiving them under the current rule.
- Tax treaty: yes
- Public pension: Under the 1981 treaty still in force, French pensions of Cyprus residents, civil-service pensions included, are taxed in Cyprus.
- Private pension: Taxable in Cyprus, where foreign pensions above €5,000 a year can be taxed at a flat 5%.
Sources: French Senate, report 369 (2025–2026) on the new France–Cyprus tax treaty (pensions, transitional clause) (checked 2026-10-22) · economie.gouv.fr: income tax for residents abroad (minimum rates, non-resident withholding on pensions) (checked 2026-10-22)
Coming from somewhere else? The general rules above apply; check your home country's tax treaty with Cyprus or ask a licensed advisor.
Sources: PwC tax summaries: Cyprus individual income (checked 2026-10-22) · Cyprus Tax Department (checked 2026-10-22)
Housing
Land Registry transfer fees are 3–8% of the value, currently halved, and do not apply where VAT is paid on a new home (5% VAT for a main residence, otherwise 19%). Stamp duty was abolished from 2026.
- Can foreigners buy? With restrictions: Non-EU buyers need a permit (in practice issued by the District Officer) for one home or a plot of up to about 4,000 m² per family; two properties are usually allowed since 2013.
- Purchase costs: about 5% of the price (taxes and fees)
- Renting: A lease is enough for Category F; rents in Paphos and Limassol are much higher than in Nicosia.
Sources: Gov.cy: calculation of transfer fees (50% exemption when no VAT is paid) (checked 2026-10-22) · Department of Lands and Surveys: sale (permit for foreign buyers under Cap. 109, 50% transfer fee discount) (checked 2026-10-22) · private.law: buying property in Cyprus (2026) (checked 2026-10-22)
Settling in
Once you choose Cyprus, the settling plan takes you through 6 steps, from a year before the move to your first year there. The first ones:
- Rent or buy a home: A lease or title deed is part of the Category F file.
- Take out private health insurance: Required with the application and until you can join GeSY.
- Apply for a temporary residence permit and Category F: At the Civil Registry and Migration Department, with proof of income from abroad, insurance and a criminal record certificate; you live on the temporary permit while Category F is processed.
- Register for tax and choose the pension option: Get a tax identification number and decide each year between the 5% flat rate on foreign pensions and the normal rates.
The full plan, with costs, delays and official links, is in your personal space (coming soon).
Rules and figures change and we can make mistakes: confirm with the official source or a licensed advisor before acting.