Cost of Living in Limassol

Is Limassol expensive?

The cost of living in Limassol is indeed expensive compared to other major cities in Cyprus. Compared to the rest of the country, salaries in Limassol are higher due to the presence of international companies and a big expat community. And yet, it is precisely the international sphere that drives costs up. High housing demand, internationally-focused real estate and services, and private childcare and education make Limassol the most expensive city in Cyprus.

However, it is not as expensive as other major Western European cities. For example, the cost of living in the Netherlands (excluding rent) is 15–25% higher than in Limassol (according to our article on the Dutch nation and data from Numbeo). Compared to Paris, the living costs and rent prices of the French capital are ~20% more expensive than in Limassol.

All in all, relocating to Limassol can be a wonderful experience. It’s right by the sea, and you can enjoy the Cyprus Medieval Museum and various other cultural sights from Neolithic, Roman, Cypriot, Greek, and international origins. If you love Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, you will really enjoy your stay in Cyprus. If you like the sound of living here, below we’ve broken down the cost of living in Limassol so you can draft a realistic budget.

Rent per month in Limassol

Renting is expensive in Limassol, compared to both Cypriot standards and other Western EU countries like France, the Netherlands, and Germany. It’s no secret why this is happening: it’s a beautiful city, it’s attracting a huge wave of expats with international salaries, and the supply isn’t on par with the demand. This pressure is escalating prices and turning Limassol into a city of exclusiveness and luxury.

As a frame of reference, other important cities in Cyprus, like Nicosia, Paphos, and Larnaca, average at €1,00–€1,200 per month for a flat—the difference with Limassol is stark. The Landbank Group Analytics team published a research report in July that breaks down the hefty rent prices of Limassol:

Naturally, some districts are more expensive than others. Some of the most expensive districts are Potamos Germasogeias, Limassol Marina, Agios Tychonas, and Germasogeia—picture seafront villas and high-end flats. Conversely, the most affordable areas are Zazaki and Mesa Geitonia.

How to find a flat in Limassol

The rental process in Limassol is both complex and prepared for the expat crowd. As a general rule, when you find a property you like, you should schedule a viewing, conduct a house inspection, review the contract, and/or negotiate. It is also recommended to register your contract with the authorities to protect your rights as a tenant or owner. Furthermore, expect to pay a deposit for your rental. To find a flat in Limassol, familiarise yourself with Cypriot legislation, popular house hunting methods, and market trends. Let’s review these one by one:

Legalities and requirements

Before jumping into the housing market head-on, inform yourself on what documents you’ll need and what legal processes you ought to go through to reside legally in Cyprus. As part of our Cyprus guide, we’ve prepared a series of articles discussing visas and residence permits. They are all different, but as a general rule, whether you’re an EU citizen or not, obtaining a residence permit is automatically tied to providing proof of the accommodation you will rent in Cyprus. In simpler terms, to get your move to Limassol approved by the authorities, you need to find a flat in Cyprus.

How to find a flat in Limassol

In Limassol, you can find a flat using real estate agencies, online platforms, local newspapers, and personal contact. After you have determined what region you want to live in and what kind of accommodation you’d like to rent out, choose or combine from these methods for finding a property:

Real estate agents

Approaching the housing market through a real estate agent is recommended to properly navigate the local market of Limassol. Many agencies will help you review contracts, negotiate, obtain fairer prices, and make the process smoother. Given the big expat community in Limassol, many real estate agencies specialise in dealing with foreigners. Many work through commission and brokerage fees, so do ask about this when choosing who you’ll partner up with. It’s wise to compare offers carefully to ensure they are pricing their services fairly. You can check out the following real estate agencies and resources:

• Foytina Real Estate Agency
• Galaxia Estate Agencies
• KAZO Real Estate
• Cyprus Estate Agency
• Home.cy (a very large real estate marketplace website)

Online platforms

You can also search for and find housing in Limassol through online platforms. Platforms are another common way of searching and obtaining housing. However, be aware that not every post might be authentic.

• Bazaraki.com
• home.cy
• Zyprus
• Viotopo
• Index

Word of mouth and on-site searching

While the most convenient method to find a property as an expat is to browse online or talk to a realtor, you may find accommodation simply by talking to locals or reading the local newspaper. It could be considered a bit old-fashioned, but you might bump into some good deals, have the chance to negotiate yourself, and score more informal viewings. If you have the chance, consider:

• Talking to locals
• Finding notices on bulletin boards, such as in kiosks, supermarkets, cafés, etc.
• Local newspapers might also publish available properties

Market research

The level of investment and expat immigration that Limassol receives means that, often, property and rental prices turn out to be inflated. You should study the market prices before going blindly forward with renting or purchasing. Having a strong grasp of the housing market will help you negotiate, especially for long-term rentals and resort areas.

Property prices

According to Investropa, a company specialising in European real estate investing, the average purchase price in Limassol is 3,200 per square meter. The average resale apartment price in central and suburban areas ranges from €2,600 to €4,200 per square meter. Brand-new apartments or those located nearest to the beach are around €6,000 to €8,000 per sqm. The average house price is at €696,000. At the lower end, you could buy a 2-bed apartment or family home for €300,000, which jumps to €600,000 for a modern 3-bed apartment or small villa, and to more than 1 million or 2 million for luxury villas and marina properties.

Considering that the average property prices in the capital of Nicosia range from €1,800 to €2,800 per square meter for apartments, Limassol is quite the step-up. Nevertheless, it is still more affordable than property prices in London or Amsterdam, which stand at £13,300/sqm–£8,100/sqm and €6,900/sqm–€9,400/sqm, respectively.

Utilities and internet

You can expect Limassol utility costs to be around €200 per month, for a family of four living in a flat, and an additional €25–50 for internet. Utility costs include water supply and sewage, electricity, gas, and waste disposal. In our article about the overall cost of living in Cyprus, we’ve dissected the costs of each utility bill for those who want to know more. A typical internet package of 200Mbps is between €20 and €30, and those providing higher speeds or unlimited options cost between €40–€50 or more.

Furnished flats

According to Viotopo, one of the real estate marketplace platforms we mentioned earlier, furnished flats in Cyprus can cost up to 40% more than unfurnished ones. This is the latest data we could find from 2021, but it still gives you a good idea about the costs of furnished in Limassol. Additionally, the security deposit will also be higher for furnished flats than for unfinished ones. Furnished accommodation tends to be directed towards short-term contract seekers who don’t have furniture of their own or will move out soon, such as students, singles, and young professionals.

Transportation costs

Although the best way to get around Limassol and the rest of the island is by car, the public transport is reasonably good and reliable. There is no train or metro in Cyprus, but the urban and intercity buses keep districts and cities connected. They are modern, usually on time, and keep standardised fares across the country. All the details are combined on the Cyprus By Bus website:

City bus fares

City buses run within Limassol and its districts. The prices are quite affordable, also compared to other Western EU countries like France.

Intercity bus fares

Limassol is pretty well-connected to the most important cities in Cyprus. The intercity buses make these connections possible.

Limassol Airport Express

The Limassol Airport Express offers direct bus transfers between Limassol and Larnaca or Paphos Airports. The price per person is €9.00, and for children under 12 years old it is €4.00.

Taxi

You can navigate Limassol using a taxi service. Numbeo lists the following prices:

• Taxi start: ~ €7.00
• Taxi per 1 kilometer: ~ €1.93
• Taxi 1 hour of waiting: ~ €30.00

Food

In Limassol, grocery prices are generally on par with the national averages, but dining out is certainly more expensive. This means that groceries will typically cost €250–€350 monthly per person, but this depends on your consumption and where you shop. Limassol opens up its local markets on Saturday, where you might find more affordable prices and fresh produce. Limassol also has mid-range supermarket stores like Lidl and big supermarkets like AlphaMega, which offer more variety but tend to be pricier. Everyday groceries generally cost:

• Milk (1 litre): ~ €1.68
• Fresh bread (white): ~ €1.85
• Eggs (12): ~ €3.67
• Local cheese (1kg): ~ €10.99
• Chicken fillets (1kg): ~ €8.38
• Apples (1kg): ~ €2.91
• Tomatoes (1kg): ~ €3.07
• Rice (1kg): ~ €2.76
• Water (1.5L bottle): ~ €1.02
• Bottle of mid-range wine: ~ €8.00

Eating out

Since Limassol is a tourist and expat hub climbing up the luxury ladder, eating out is typically more expensive than the rest of Cyprus. Nevertheless, Cyprus’s cuisine is a delicious blend of Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern flavours that you must enjoy once you’re there. Depending on where you wish to dine out, the costs vary:

• A casual lunch menu at a café or bistro: €20
• Fast food meal (e.g. McDonald’s): ~ €8.00
• Dinner at a mid-range restaurant (three courses for two): ~ €80
• Coffee (regular cappuccino): ~ €3.56
• Domestic beer (0.5L draught): ~ €4.00

Childcare and education

Childcare and education can occupy a big portion of the cost of living in Limassol (and Cyprus as a whole). The prices are very variable, depending on whether you choose public or private institutions. Most expats pick the private sphere due to their English or multi-language education, internationalised culture, foreign curricula and programs (such as the International Baccalaureate), extracurricular activities, and other features.

If you select the public system, the fees are low. For pre-primary levels, public kindergarten is free for the compulsory ages of 4 years and 5 months. For younger kids, parents must pay €42.00 monthly, but tuition and feeding subsidies are available. Public primary and secondary schools are free (and compulsory until 15 years of age), work primarily in Greek but may offer English as a foreign language or Greek support lessons after school. Community pre-schools are also an option; they are more expensive than the public ones, at around €150 and €170 monthly, but don’t come close to private centres.

Private institutions run on a different financial level altogether. Private preschools could cost around €3,500–€5,000 annually, plus additional fees for meals and after-school care. Private primary education could range from €2,350 to nearly €60,000 to cover six years. As your child grows older, private secondary schools may ask €20,000 up to €133,000 across 7 years. And there is yet to consider each institution’s registration fee, lunch fees (where applicable), uniform, and transportation costs.

Gym memberships and fitness

Gym memberships in Limassol can be more expensive than in the rest of Cyprus. Prices here can range from €60–€80 for basic gyms, and higher-end gyms can be around €100 per month.

Many Cypriot-based Redditors think these prices are ridiculous, so you could get your own equipment, work out outside, or try out fitness apps. For example, Welltech—which is based in Limassol—develops yoga, muscle training, and walking fitness coaching apps so that expats can start their personalised training plan.

To sum it up, the overall cost of living in Limassol is more expensive than the rest of Cyprus, but still doable when compared to other EU countries. What mostly determines these costs are housing, lifestyle, and the choice between public and private education and childcare.