Moving to Larnaca, Cyprus: Residency, Real Estate & Living
Moving to Cyprus and Permanent Residency in Larnaca: Visas, Property, Residency & Climate
Cyprus is one of the most comfortable places in Europe to live by the sea. European-level services, sunny weather, low taxes, and a welcoming atmosphere make it attractive for families, retirees, and digital nomads.
Larnaca is a quiet coastal city ideal for a relaxed lifestyle. It has an international airport, a palm-lined seafront, well-developed infrastructure, and more affordable prices compared to Limassol or Paphos.
🏡 Real Estate in Larnaca and Cyprus
Property prices in Larnaca as of 2026:
- Suburbs: from €1,300/m²
- City center and sea-front: €1,900–2,600/m²
- 2-bedroom apartment with parking: €180,000–240,000
- New developments for residency permits: from €310,000
✔ Foreigners are allowed to buy property in Cyprus.
✔ Investing €310,000 or more in a new development can qualify for permanent residency (Category 6(2)).
Rental Income Potential
- Long-term rent:
- 1-bedroom: €650–850/month
- 2-bedroom: €850–1,150/month
- Short-term summer rentals: €55–75/day
- Yield: 4–5% per year
⚠ Note: Larnaca has fewer tourists than Ayia Napa or Paphos, making the property market stable with moderate, sustainable price growth.
🛂 Residency and Permanent Residency in Cyprus
Options for obtaining residency:
- Investment-based permanent residency (Category 6(2)):
- Minimum investment: €310,000 in a new property
- Processing: up to 2 months
- Permanent status for the entire family
- No work rights
- Category F (financially independent):
- Minimum funds: €20–30k in a bank account
- Stable passive income
- Must have housing (ownership or rental)
- Work visa: if employed by a Cypriot company
- Student residency: for studying at a Cypriot university
Important Updates for 2026:
- Parents are no longer included in the investor package.
- Residency permits require visiting Cyprus at least once every two years.
- Only new properties qualify for the main investment route; resale properties generally do not.
🛃 Entry Rules
- Long-term residents must apply for a national visa (Type D).
- Short visits (up to 90 days) require an eVisa, available online.
- Schengen visas do not apply to Cyprus.
💶 Taxes and Finances
- Income tax:
- Up to €19,500 — 0%
- €19,501–€60,000 — 20%
- Over €60,000 — 35%
- Tax residency: living more than 183 days in Cyprus
- Non-domicile regime: foreign passive income exempt from taxation for 17 years
- Corporate tax: 12.5%
Property taxes:
- Annual property tax abolished
- Municipal fees: €100–300/year
- VAT: 5% on first 200 m² of new property, 19% on additional
- Stamp duty: 0.15–0.2%
🏥 Healthcare
- Public healthcare system GESY is available to residents.
- General practitioner visits, lab tests, and basic services included.
- Private clinics offer European-level care.
- English-speaking doctors available.
- Larnaca has a large public hospital and private medical centers.
🎓 Education
- Schools: private English-language schools, including American Academy Larnaca.
- Instruction in English or Greek.
- Universities: European University Cyprus, University of Nicosia.
🔒 Safety and Infrastructure
- One of the safest regions in Europe.
- Low crime rates.
- Friendly neighborhoods, family-oriented areas.
- European-level healthcare, education, and cultural facilities.
☀️ Climate and Living Comfort
- 300+ sunny days per year.
- Summer: +33…+37°C
- Winter: +15…+20°C
- Swimming season: April–November.
- Winter is mild, with occasional rain.
Larnaca infrastructure:
- Finikoudes Promenade
- International airport
- Shopping centers, cafes, hospitals
- Roads are good, but public transport is limited → a car is useful.
- Left-hand driving (British legacy).
✅ Moving to Larnaca: Pros and Cons
✔ Safety and comfort
✔ EU access with minimal bureaucracy
✔ High-quality education and healthcare
✔ Residency through property investment
✔ Pleasant climate
✘ Investment threshold from €310,000
✘ No Schengen visa
✘ Left-hand traffic
✘ Living without a car can be inconvenient
