Essentials
- City
- Nicosia (Lefkosia), Cyprus
- Population
- Approximately 330,000 (Greater Nicosia area)
- Internet Speed
- High (Fixed lines average 100-200 Mbps via Cyta or Cablenet)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 0.84 GBP, 1 USD ≈ 0.93 EUR
- Tap Water
- Generally safe but high mineral content; most locals use filtered water or 10L jugs (€1.50)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK style three-pin sockets)
- SIM Card
- Cyta (SoEasy), Epic, or PrimeTel. €10-20 for 50GB-100GB packages
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Cyprus, Hellenic Bank, and digital banks like Revolut (widely used)
- Accommodation
- Modern apartments in Engomi or Aglantzia, traditional houses in the Old City
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly cashless; cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local sites like Bazaraki.com
- Budget Accommodation
- Nexus Hostel (approx. €25/night), Nex Hostel (approx. €22/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old City (within the Venetian Walls) - Ledras and Onasagorou streets
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Engomi (near universities/cafes) or Strovolos (quieter, residential)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Hübe (Stasandrou 9) - approx. €20/day or €180/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Brew Lab (Stasikratous 3) and Mikel Coffee (various locations, very reliable WiFi)
- Networking Events
- Cyprus IT Party events and Reflect Festival satellite meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Nicosia and the 'Expats in Cyprus' Facebook group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (most popular) and CABCY
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Nextbike (approx. €2/hour, €8/day) available at 40+ stations
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ayia Napa/Protaras (Fig Tree Bay), approx. 50-60 mins drive
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, Aegean Airlines, and Wizz Air (via Larnaca Airport)
- Highway Access
- A1 Highway connecting Nicosia to Limassol and A2 to Larnaca
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Solomos Square Bus Station (No trains in Cyprus)
- Public Transport Passes
- Motion Card (approx. €1.50 per trip, €15 for weekly pass)
- Regional Travel
- Intercity Buses (Green buses) - Nicosia to Limassol/Larnaca approx. €4-7
- Top Regional Airline
- Cyprus Airways
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Nicosia General Hospital (Public) or Apollonion Private Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Europe School and Polarity Center (Engomi)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Warehouse Fitness Center (€50-70/month) or Destination Fitness
- Laundry Services
- Quick Spa & Laundry or local 'Plynthirio' self-service spots
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt and Foody (both very efficient)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mixed Souvlakia in Pitta and Grilled Halloumi
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Elysian Plant Based Kitchen Bar (Diagorou 15)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Giagia Victoria (Traditional) and Pralina Experience (High-end)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Ochi Open Air Market (Wednesdays/Saturdays) for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Bazaraki.com (Local eBay/Craigslist) and Amazon.de (ships to Cyprus)
- Grocery Delivery
- Sklavenitis via Foody or Supermarket Cy
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Old City (Ledras/Onasagorou) and Stasikratous Street
- Local Brewery
- Pivo Microbrewery (Asklipiou 36, Old City)
- Wine Bars
- Silver Star Wine Bar (Sofouli 44)
- Street Food Stalls
- Piatsa Gourounaki (Express counters for souvlakia)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pyxida Fish Tavern (High-end Seafood) or Vino Cultura
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Venetian Walls, Shacolas Tower Observatory, and Ledra Street Border Crossing
- Museums & Art Venues
- Cyprus Museum (Archaeological) and Leventis Municipal Museum
- Historical Sites
- Buyuk Han (Great Inn) and Famagusta Gate
- Religious Sites
- St. John’s Cathedral and Selimiye Mosque (North Nicosia)
- Annual Events
- Nicosia International Festival (Late Autumn)
- Cultural Districts
- Laiki Geitonia (Traditional pedestrian area)
- Theater Venues
- THOC (Cyprus Theatre Organisation) - New Building
- Local Markets
- Bandabuliya (Municipal Market) in the Old City
- Music Scene
- Sarah's Jazz Club (Xanthis Xenierou 33)
- Street Art
- Various murals around the Kaimakli district and Pytheos Street
- Cooking Classes
- The Cookery School Nicosia
- Art Galleries
- A. G. Leventis Gallery and Point Centre for Contemporary Art
- Historic Buildings
- The Presidential Palace and The Faneromeni School
- Local Heritage
- Traditional lace (Lefkara) and copper craftsmanship heritage
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Athalassa National Forest Park (Great for cycling/walking)
- National Parks Nearby
- Troodos National Forest Park (Approx. 1 hour drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Pedieos River Linear Park (Bicycle path stretching across the city)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Shacolas Tower (11th floor panoramic view of North/South Nicosia)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Athalassa Lake within the National Park
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated picnic areas in Troodos (Bonfires strictly prohibited in city parks)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Cyprus Post (Local) and ACS Courier (Private - very fast)
- Tech Repair Services
- iRepair Nicosia or Public (Mall of Cyprus)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Onisilos Table Tennis Club
- Language Classes
- University of Cyprus (UCY) Language Centre - Greek for foreigners
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Cyprus Library (Eleftherias Square) and UCY Library (Stelios Ioannou)
- Community Centers
- Home for Cooperation (Located in the UN Buffer Zone)
- Gaming Lounges
- InSpot Nicosia and Cowboy's Internet Cafe
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- City of Dreams Mediterranean - Nicosia Satellite Casino (C2)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €120,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €221,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €161,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 12.5% (One of the lowest in the EU)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for non-domiciled tax residents (SDC exemption)
- Tax System
- Residency based (183-day rule or 60-day rule for tax residency)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% for income over €60,000 (First €19,500 is tax-free)
- VAT
- 19% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, in line with EU ATAD directives
- Property Tax
- Abolished since 2017; only small local municipality fees apply
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer fees range from 3% to 8% (often 50% reduction applies)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa available; 0% tax on dividends/interest for 'Non-Doms'