Cost of Living in North Cyprus 2025 – A Realistic Guide Before You Move or Invest
If you are planning to move, study, invest, or even buy a property in North Cyprus, your first big question is probably: “How much does it really cost to live there per month?” In this 2025 guide we give you a clear, realistic and up-to-date picture of all major expenses — from rent and groceries to utilities, internet, education, insurance and lifestyle. This is not a sugar-coated sales brochure and not a pessimistic rant either; it’s a practical analysis based on real market data and the on-ground experience of our advisors.
Important: your monthly budget changes depending on the city (Lefkoşa/Nicosia, Girne/Kyrenia, Famagusta), your lifestyle (economic, balanced, luxury) and your status (student, family, investor). Still, in this article you’ll get realistic ranges and sensible averages so you can plan your finances intelligently before making a move.
If you want a more precise, personalised breakdown before you move, you can request a custom budget based on your situation via our expert consulting page or the contact form.
1) Rent & Housing – The Biggest Piece of the Budget
The largest part of your monthly expenses in North Cyprus is almost always rent – unless you already own a property. Girne (Kyrenia) is usually the most expensive on rents, Famagusta is more balanced, and some areas of Lefkoşa (Nicosia) can be more budget-friendly. Building quality (new vs old), distance to the sea, and amenities like pool, lift, parking, and central heating/cooling all affect the price.
| Studio (30–40 m²) | €350 – €480 |
| New 1-bedroom apartment | €450 – €620 |
| 2-bedroom apartment (70–90 m²) | €550 – €800 |
| 3-bedroom / family apartment | €750 – €1,100 |
| Detached / luxury villa | €1,200 – €2,200 |
Students usually use our student support services to find dormitories or shared apartments and can reduce rent by 15–30%. Buying a property is a strategic option for reducing long-term costs and generating rental income, which we explain in more detail on the real estate investment page.
2) Bills & Utilities
Your regular bills include electricity, water, gas (if you use cylinders), internet, site/maintenance fees, and in some buildings shared charges for the lift, pool and common areas. Electricity consumption goes up in summer due to air-conditioning and in some areas in winter due to electric heating.
- Electricity: €40 – €120 (depending on season and usage; heavy-usage families up to ~€180)
- Water: €10 – €25 (average city consumption)
- Home internet (fiber / ADSL): €25 – €45
- Site / maintenance fee: €20 – €80 (in complexes with amenities)
- Gas cylinder (cooking): €8 – €12 every 1–2 months
Tip: many new projects use energy-efficient systems and sometimes solar panels, which can significantly reduce electricity costs. Pay attention to this when choosing a property.
3) Food & Groceries
Food costs depend heavily on your habits: local vs imported brands, supermarket chains vs local markets, how often you cook at home, and how often you eat out. Students and singles can cut their monthly food bill substantially with some planning.
| Fresh bread | €1 – €1.5 |
| Rice (1 kg) | €2.5 – €4 |
| Whole chicken (1 kg) | €4.5 – €6 |
| Red meat (1 kg) | €10 – €15 |
| Eggs (12 pcs) | €2.5 – €3.2 |
| Milk (1 L) | €1.1 – €1.6 |
| Fruit & vegetables (1 kg) | €1.5 – €3.5 (seasonal) |
A regular meal at a simple restaurant costs about €8–€15; in touristic or seaside restaurants you should expect around €20–€40 per person. If you live in a student-style project with shared kitchens, that also helps reduce food costs.
4) Transport & Getting Around
Public transport in North Cyprus is more limited than in many European countries, but there are still regular buses on main city and intercity routes. Many students and families decide to buy a second-hand car after a few months.
- City bus ticket: €1 – €1.5
- Taxi (start): ~€3.5 + €0.8 – €1 per km
- Petrol (per litre): €1.1 – €1.4
- Second-hand economy car: €4,500 – €7,500
- Yearly running costs: €350 – €700 (insurance + routine service)
If you are coming mainly for university, it’s usually smarter to start without a car, get to know the city first, and then decide. Our travel & transfer services can support you with airport transfer and local trips in your first months.
5) Education, Tuition & Student Extras
Universities in North Cyprus are popular because they offer a wide range of English-taught programmes at lower tuition levels compared to many European countries. Annual tuition depends on the university, programme and degree level, and most students receive 30–70% scholarships. You can find detailed breakdowns in our separate university articles on this blog.
To cover these costs, some students work part-time or help their family manage short-term rentals for family-owned properties. If you are considering buying to rent, visit our rental management & property income page.
6) Health Insurance & Medical Services
The healthcare system includes private clinics, state hospitals and university-affiliated hospitals. Students usually have a basic university health insurance, but we generally recommend adding a private top-up policy as well.
| General practitioner visit | €20 – €30 |
| Specialist visit | €30 – €55 |
| Basic student health insurance (yearly) | €100 – €150 |
| Private health insurance (yearly) | €250 – €600 |
| Common prescription medicines | €5 – €15 |
For a deeper look at the healthcare structure and standards, see our article on healthcare in North Cyprus.
7) Lifestyle, Leisure & Extra Costs
Life in North Cyprus is generally calm, low-stress and Mediterranean in style. Most leisure costs are related to cafés, restaurants, sports, short local trips and beach activities. A regular gym membership is about €30–€55 per month; more premium gyms or sports complexes with pool and spa are around €50–€90. Cinema tickets are usually €5–€8.
If your main goal is investment and rental yield, the short-term holiday rental market from June to September can generate 2–3× the income of long-term rent – but it requires professional management.
8) Monthly Budget Scenarios (2025)
- Student (shared / economic): €550 – €720
- Student (independent, balanced): €700 – €950
- Young couple: €900 – €1,350
- Family of three: €1,200 – €1,750
- Luxury lifestyle: €2,000 and above
These are realistic averages; your real budget will vary with your chosen area, type of property, season, city and lifestyle. If you want us to calculate a more precise budget for your personal plan, get in touch through our specialised consulting page.
Recommended articles to complete your research:
9) Frequently Asked Questions on Cost of Living
Compared to many European countries, yes – especially in terms of tuition fees, low tax rates, basic services and overall safety. However, rents in popular touristic areas have increased, so you need a realistic budget and a good location strategy.
For a single person with a balanced lifestyle, yes – but if your rent is above €600, you’ll need to be more careful with food and entertainment. For a family, €1,000 is generally not enough.
Choose non-seafront areas, consider a shared apartment, negotiate for a long-term (one-year) contract, and look for projects with lower maintenance fees. Long-term, buying a property early instead of renting for many years can also be more economical.
On average, rents have increased by around 8–15% (depending on the city) and food costs by around 5–9%. Utility bills are still manageable if you control your usage.
Typical student part-time jobs bring in about €350–€550 per month, which helps but rarely covers everything. You’ll usually need some family support or initial savings on top of that.
Need a personalised budget or help choosing the right city?
Our consultants can prepare a detailed scenario for you based on your goals: investment, study, family life or residency planning.
Request your personalised consultation