The cost of living in Limassol for retirees (2026)
What a comfortable retirement in Limassol really costs – rent, groceries, utilities, healthcare and the extras – and the trade-offs between the city and the villages around it.
Limassol Old Town. Photo: Karoly Karkusz / Unsplash
Limassol is the most cosmopolitan – and the most expensive – city in Cyprus. It is still good value for many British retirees, especially compared with the south of England, but budgets vary a lot depending on where and how you live. Here is a realistic picture for 2026.
A typical monthly budget for a couple
Published estimates for a retired couple in Cyprus put everyday living costs, excluding rent or a mortgage, at roughly €1,800–€2,500 a month – lower in the villages, higher in central Limassol.
Indicative monthly costs for a couple (excluding housing)
- Groceries and household: €400–€600
- Electricity, water and internet: €150–€300 (more in summer, with air-conditioning)
- Eating out and leisure: €250–€450
- Transport and fuel: €150–€250
- Private health insurance, if you are not in GeSY: €100–€250 per person
Source: index.cy cost-of-living estimates, 2026. Your own figures will depend on your lifestyle.
Housing: rent or own
Housing is the biggest variable. Average rents in Limassol are around €1,000–€1,100 a month for a one-bedroom apartment and €1,400–€1,500 for a two-bedroom, according to figures quoted by the president of the Cyprus real estate registration council in July 2026. Seafront and new-build apartments cost more; villages inland and along the coast either side of the city usually cost less.
Owning your home removes rent from the budget altogether – and if you buy before you retire, a guaranteed rent can help pay for it until you move in. There is no annual property tax in Cyprus, only modest municipal charges.
Healthcare
Once you are registered in the national health system (GeSY), most visits carry small co-payments – commonly cited figures are no charge for a GP visit, about €6 for a specialist with a referral and about €1 per prescription item. Many retirees also keep private insurance for faster access to specialists.
Where the money goes further
- Fresh food: local fruit, vegetables, halloumi and fish from the markets are good value.
- Weather: long, mild winters mean low heating costs – but budget for air-conditioning in July and August.
- Getting around: most retirees run a car; Limassol is compact and the motorway links it to Paphos and Larnaca airports.
Where it costs more
- Imported British brands in supermarkets.
- Summer electricity bills.
- Central Limassol rents and restaurants.
Taxes can help
Many retirees pay less tax in Cyprus than in the UK: foreign pensions can be taxed at a flat 5% above an annual exemption, and Cyprus has no inheritance tax. Read our guide to pension taxation, and always take personal tax advice.
Figures are indicative estimates from published sources in 2026 and will vary with your lifestyle, area and exchange rates. They are not financial advice.