Cyprus is a world-famous resort island that annually attracts many holidaymakers and no less people looking for a good place to work and live. The decisive factor in the latter case, of course, is the wonderful mild climate. However, interest is no less due to the developed infrastructure, high salaries, good level of service and availability of a wide variety of entertainment. The mentality of the Cypriots is also close to Russians - they, like the majority of our citizens, are Orthodox Christians. Among the disadvantages is the high cost of living, especially in resort towns.
What exactly is the average salary in Cyprus? We will answer this question below.
Minimum wage
The salary below which it is officially prohibited to pay in Cyprus by law is 870 euros. This is exactly what many people receive:
- nurses;
- clerks;
- nannies;
- sellers.
In rubles it will be about 64,300.
As follows from the reviews of Russians who got a job in Cyprus, quite often the owner indicates the amount of the “dirty” pay, which means that you will receive much less. So, for example, from a thousand euros, about a hundred is spent on taxes.
By the way, the minimum hourly wage on the island is 8.3 euros.
Internship in Cyprus
An internship in a Cypriot company is an excellent opportunity to gain work experience in the country, improve your language skills and, in addition, combine work and leisure. The organization of such internships is carried out by training and educational centers, which select the most suitable program for the intern and help him settle in the country. The duration of internships depends on the program and usually ranges from 6 to 24 months. Among the highest priority areas:
- tourism sector;
- hotel and restaurant business;
- economics and finance;
- office work.
The applicant will be required to:
- copy of international passport;
- a copy of the diploma or certificate from the place of study;
- summary;
- motivation letter.
Going for an internship in Cyprus is a good opportunity to combine work and leisure
Earnings of working personnel
A salesperson working part-time in a supermarket receives no more than 5 euros per hour. Employees of various eateries and private shops have a similar rate. The total for the month is approximately 870 euros. The income of secretaries does not exceed this figure, unless they can boast of knowledge of Greek and English - here the salary will be approximately 1,000.
Housewives and nannies fare no better, they are paid between 5 and 7 euros for the same hour. Novice workers are ready to perform duties for 2 euros, but this is rather an exception. In fact, there are up to 40-60 per day here, with full employment (9 hours). Per month, accordingly, it will be about 800 - 1,000 euros. Two days off a week is the law.
Animators working in children's clubs at hotels do not receive more than 700, but they eat for free and live in staff rooms. Only those with an EU Member State passport are accepted for this position.
Guides earn about 900 euros (food and accommodation at their own expense).
Many students from the European Union come to Cyprus in the summer, since they all have the right to official employment, they manage to save money and have a great vacation. Their salaries during the holiday season (lasting from April to November) range from 800 to a thousand euros.
A knowledgeable gardener can earn up to 15 euros per hour.
Standard of living and prices in Cyprus in 2021
Cyprus is experiencing a crisis, and its economy is too dependent on the European Union. The economic situation is unstable. Several key areas bring big dividends to the state: deposits, financial services, tax-free zone, real estate and tourism. The standard of living and prices in Cyprus in 2018 will clearly demonstrate how this country truly lives. We will look at the cost of renting apartments, utility costs, transportation, average wages and food prices in stores.
Standard of living and prices in Cyprus in 2018
Cyprus has not yet emerged from the crisis. Unemployment is still high at 11-13%, according to official statistics. Many experts believe that in reality unemployment is many times higher. To improve the economic situation, the government decided to allow foreign citizens to invest in Cypriot real estate. Investments in business and real estate provide an opportunity for foreign citizens to obtain EU resident status. This opportunity, through foreign investment in the economy, attracts a lot of money here. Immigrants from the CIS view Cyprus as a promising place to organize a small business or buy resort property for vacation.
Rent, utility payments and loans in Cyprus in 2018
The pricing policy of Cyprus can be divided into two categories: tourist and non-tourist season. With the onset of the tourist season, the entire range of services becomes more expensive at times, including renting apartments, especially for those properties that are located in tourist areas.
Rent
Below we looked at the average annual prices for renting one-room apartments or studios in different cities and resorts. As for two-room apartments, they are 20-40% more expensive.
| List of cities | Center. Studio or apartment with 1 bedroom. 30-35 sq.m. Monthly in Euro (EUR) | Sleeping areas. Monthly in Euro (EUR) |
| Limassol | 590 € | 470 € |
| Larnaca | 300 € | 210 € |
| Ayia Napa | 400 € | 350 € |
| Pathos | 290 € | 250 € |
| Nicosia | 440 € | 340 € |
Communal payments
The basic utility package includes costs for water, electricity, garbage, etc. Some modern residential complexes have a green area and a swimming pool. Residents of such complexes are charged additional fees for maintenance of the site and pool.
| Square | In euros (EUR). Monthly for basic utilities (gas, water, electricity and garbage) |
| Studio or apartment with 1 bedroom. 30-35 sq.m. | 60-70 € |
| Apartment with two bedrooms. 35-50 sq.m. | 80-100 € |
| Three bedroom apartment or small house. 70-85 sq.m. | 100-120 € |
Mortgage
| Types of loans | Annual interest |
| Mortgage | 4.35% per annum |
Average salaries in Cyprus in 2018
Residents from the CIS do not consider Cyprus from the point of view of finding work and career growth. Russian-speaking citizens prefer to open their own business here. They mainly choose those destinations that are related to tourism: hotels, beauty salons, travel agencies, shops. As a rule, all of the listed types of business are seasonal in nature. During the winter, cities and resorts turn to empty places, and businesses close and prepare for the next holiday season.
It is necessary to cancel the fact that in Cyprus the price level is higher than the European average, but wages are lower. The average resident of Cyprus receives an average of about 1,200 euros per month. For local prices for services and products, this is not a lot of money.
| List of cities | Net monthly salary in euros (EUR) |
| National monthly average | 1200 € |
| Limassol | 1430 € |
| Nicosia | 1303 € |
| Pathos | 990 € |
| Larnaca | 1030 € |
| Ayia Napa | 1100 € |
Prices for food and groceries in Cyprus in 2018
In shops and supermarkets located in popular resorts (for example, Ayia Napa, Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca and others) you will not find low prices, and during the tourist season they rise sharply, as local businesses are focused on making maximum profits. This is a big minus for local residents.
Below you can study prices in Cyprus for popular products, including meat, cereals, fish, seafood, dairy products (milk, cheese, sour cream), bread, eggs, soft and alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, whiskey), including cigarettes.
| Grocery list | Weight | In Euro (EUR) |
| Dairy products | ||
| Milk | 1 liter | 1.32 |
| Condensed milk | 500 ml | 1.30 |
| Sour cream | 1 liter | 3.00 |
| Cream | 500 ml | 2.40 |
| Cheese | 1 kg | 6.31 |
| Meat, seafood and fish | ||
| Chicken breasts (fillets) | 1 kg | 6.30 |
| Beef | 1 kg | 8.00 |
| Mutton | 1 kg | 8.70 |
| Pork ribs | 1 kg | 4.00 |
| Sausage | 1 kg | 4.50 |
| Octopuses | 1 kg | 11.00 |
| Trout | 1 kg | 11.50 |
| Squid | 1 kg | 7.00-10.00 |
| Mackerel | 1 kg | 5.50-7.80 |
| Vegetables and fruits | ||
| Potato | 1 kg | 0.71 |
| Tomatoes | 1 kg | 1.45 |
| Onion | 1 kg | 0.69 |
| Bananas | 1 kg | 1.37 |
| Apples | 1 kg | 1.63 |
| Oranges | 1 kg | 1.30 |
| Watermelons | 1 kg | 0.60 |
| Carrot | 1 kg | 0.65 |
| bell pepper | 1 kg | 2.70 |
| Melon | 1 kg | 0.90 |
| Cherries | 1 kg | 6.50-8.00 |
| Drinks and other products | ||
| Bread | 500 gr | 1.29 |
| Eggs | 10 pieces | 2.20 |
| Soda (Fanta, Cola) | 1.5 l | 1.20-1.60 |
| Juice | 2 l | 2.00-3.50 |
| Rice | 1 kg | 1.43 |
| Pasta (Spaghetti) | 1 kg | 2.20 |
| Sugar | 1 kg | 1.60 |
| Cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal and others) | 1 kg | 1.80-2.00 |
| Locally produced coffee beans | 100 gr | 1.70-2.00 |
| Drinking water) | 1.5 l | 0.74 |
| A bottle of wine | 0.5 l | 4.00-6.00 |
| Vodka | 0.5 l | 6.00 |
| Whiskey | 1 l | 15.00-25.00 |
| Local beer | 0.5 l | 0.94 |
| Imported beer | 0.5 l | 1.50 |
| Cigarettes (Marlboro) | 1 pack | 4.70 |
Transport prices in Cyprus in 2018
Transport in Cyprus consists of taxis, buses and minibuses. Car, motorcycle and scooter rental services are popular among tourists. The average price of 1 liter of gasoline on the island at the end of 2021 is 1.19 €.
| Types of transport | In Euro (EUR) |
| Taxi | |
| Tariff for 1 km | 0.80 |
| From the airport to resort cities (Larnaca, Paphos, Limassol, etc.) | 40.00-70.00 |
| Public transport (buses) | |
| One-way ticket on city minibuses | 1.50 |
| Travel ticket for 1 day | 5.00 |
| 1 week pass | 20.00 |
| Travel ticket for 1 month | 40.00 |
| Rent | |
| Car rental in high season (foreign cars with economy class air conditioning) for 1 day | 20.00-50.00 |
| Motorcycle rental for 1 day | 30.00-40.00 |
| Scooter rental for 1 day | 10.00-20.00 |
Additional living expenses
The disadvantage of life is paid medicine. It is mandatory. If you are going here for permanent residence, then you will definitely have to pay for basic health insurance, which costs in the range of 300-500 euros per year. The Internet is also expensive by European standards. The monthly fee for an unlimited tariff will be between 30-40 euros.
| Additional monthly expenses | In Euro (EUR) |
| Internet | 35.00 |
| Kindergarten for 1 child | 280.00 |
| Gym membership | 40.00 |
| Compulsory health insurance | 25.00-40.00 |
Accountant
Since Cyprus is considered a fairly popular offshore, it won’t be particularly difficult for an accountant to find a place here. However, official employment for citizens from countries outside the EU is possible only with a work visa - the latter is issued by the inviting company.
On average, accountants are given a salary of 1,200 euros for the probationary period. If the internship goes without incident, then in the future the salary is sometimes raised to 1.5 or even 2 thousand euros.
How to look for work in Cyprus?
Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians find employment in Cyprus, as a rule, in the tourism and service industries. But highly qualified IT specialists, engineers, and builders will not be left without work. You can look for work in the country either independently or with the help of recruitment agencies.
First of all, job seekers in Cyprus should contact the public employment service www.pescps.dl.mlsi.gov.cy. On the service’s website you can find out about the most in-demand professions in the country and get an idea of the local labor market.
Among the sites specializing in employment, the most popular are:
- www.cyprusjobs.com;
- www.jobincyprus.com;
- www.careerjet.com;
- www.learn4good.com;
- www.eurojobs.com.
Many successfully find work through advertisements on Cypriot newspaper websites:
- Cyprus Mail;
- Financial Mirror;
- In Cyprus.
You can find a recruitment agency or contact the employing company directly on the website www.cyprusyellowpages.com.
You can look for work using the media or online resources
What salary should be enough for a normal life?
Food and clothing are not very expensive on the island, unless they are imported. Most workers can also afford household appliances and electronics, as well as vehicles. Cars here, by the way, are noticeably cheaper than in Russia.
The fact that approximately half of citizens live in their own houses indicates the relative cheapness of real estate. At the same time, 30 percent of the population rent apartments. But utility bills are much higher than what we are used to - they take out a considerable part of our earnings per month.
Medicine in Cyprus is insurance, therefore basic services are covered by the appropriate fund.
On average, rent, food, utilities and weekly trips to the city (for modest entertainment) will cost at least 800 euros.
Salary
Regarding the minimum income, in Cyprus in 2021 there is still no document that would establish the amount of the minimum wage.
Also, the cost of living of citizens is not fixed, and employers are free to independently set the amount of income. Pay for the same positions will vary depending on the month the work is performed and the person performing the work.
The income of the average citizen during the peak tourist season can fluctuate around 1.2 thousand euros, while at other times of the year the amount hardly exceeds 800 euros. These amounts are indicated for persons who are involved in the entertainment sector or have technical specialties.
