Finding student accommodation in Cyprus is becoming more difficult as university enrolment rises, purpose-built housing remains limited, and rents stay high.

Marinos Kynigeirou, president of the Council of Real Estate Agents Registration, said demand continues to increase, particularly in the weeks before the academic year begins. Students are also competing for rental properties with workers, families and foreign professionals moving to Cyprus for employment.

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Limassol Has The Highest Rents

Limassol remains Cyprus’s most expensive rental market. According to Kynigeirou, one-bedroom apartments can cost up to €1,500 per month, while two-bedroom units reach €2,000 and three-bedroom apartments as much as €2,700.

In Nicosia, one-bedroom apartments generally rent for €600 to €900, while two-bedroom properties are typically 20% to 30% more expensive. Three-bedroom apartments can reach about €1,700.

Larnaca and Paphos have broadly similar rental levels to Nicosia for one- and two-bedroom apartments. Paralimni, where demand from students is lower, has one-bedroom apartments costing up to €700 and two-bedroom units reaching about €900.

Rising Enrolment Adds To Housing Pressure

Higher education enrolment reached 57,889 in the 2023-2024 academic year, according to data cited by Kynigeirou, an increase of 9.4% from the previous year.

Limited purpose-built student accommodation is pushing some students to search farther from their universities or share apartments to reduce costs.

“Early search is extremely important. The better and cheaper homes are leased quickly, especially before the academic year starts,” Kynigeirou said.

Cyprus University Of Technology Expands Housing

Cyprus University of Technology is increasing its accommodation capacity in Limassol and Paphos.

Basilis Protopapas, head of the university’s Student Affairs and Welfare Service, said the goal is to provide a room within the next one to two years to all first-year students who want one, as well as students facing financial hardship.

An annual budget of €800,000 is also allocated for rent subsidies. Across Limassol and Paphos, the university’s broader housing plan targets about 900 rooms.

University Of Cyprus Plans 900 New Beds

University of Cyprus currently offers 208 rooms, allocated according to socioeconomic criteria and rented for about €150 per month, including basic utility bills.

Plans are also in place for around 900 additional beds. Cleanthis Pissarides, head of the university’s Student Affairs and Welfare Service, said the project will be delivered in two phases, with the first 500 beds expected to become available in about three years, subject to the necessary state approvals.