What is the minimum long-term rental in Cyprus?

There is no legal minimum, but most long-term lets are 12-month contracts. Tenancies of six months or less are always treated as contractual tenancies, outside the Rent Control Law.

Do I need a deposit to rent in Paphos?

Yes. Landlords usually ask for one or two months' rent as a deposit, plus the first month in advance.

Can I pay rent in cash in Cyprus?

No, not from 1 July 2026. All rent for property in Cyprus must be paid by bank transfer, debit or credit card or another recognised electronic method.

Can my landlord raise the rent during the contract?

Only if the contract allows it. Increases usually happen at renewal. For the minority of older properties under the Rent Control Law, increases are capped at 6% until 21 April 2027.

Can I use my rental for a yellow slip?

Only if you hold an EU passport. UK-only passport holders can't get a yellow slip. Your tenancy agreement supports a temporary residence permit instead, such as Category F.

Are furnished rentals common in Paphos?

Yes, many long-term lets in Paphos come furnished, which saves shipping furniture in your first year. Check the inventory carefully.

Which is the nicest part of Paphos to rent in?

It depends on how you'll live. Kato Paphos and Universal suit people who want to walk to the sea and restaurants; Chloraka, Konia and Tala suit families who want space and schools nearby. Compare them in our Paphos locations guide.

Are there long-term houses available to rent in Paphos?

Yes, but fewer than flats, and they go quickly. Detached houses and villas for long-term rent are mostly in the villages, such as Tala, Chloraka, Peyia and Kissonerga. Start 6 to 8 weeks before you move.

Why are rents so high in Paphos?

Demand has grown faster than supply. Foreign buyers signed about two-thirds of Paphos property contracts in Q2 2026, and many flats near the sea go to holiday lets in summer. Private market data put Paphos apartment rents up about 6% in a year.

How much does it cost to live in Paphos?

Rent is the biggest cost: about €1,000 to €1,500 a month for a 2-bed in 2026, plus about €180 for basic utilities and broadband. Use the Paphos cost of living calculator for food, transport and schools.

Long-Term Rentals in Paphos (2026): Rents, Deposits, Rights

Long-Term Rentals in Paphos: The 2026 Renting Guide

A 2-bed apartment on a long-term let in Paphos costs about €1,000 to €1,500 a month in 2026. Expect a deposit of 1 to 2 months' rent and a 12-month contract. Since 1 July 2026 every rent payment must go by bank transfer or card.

JJason 12 min read Last verified 27 September 2026

Help me find a rental Rent first or buy?

The short version

Rents (2026 market data): studio €500 to €750, 1-bed €650 to €900, 2-bed €1,000 to €1,500, family 2 to 3-beds €1,100 to €1,900.

Deposit: usually 1 to 2 months' rent, plus the first month in advance.

Contract: most long-term lets are 12-month fixed terms, binding once both sides sign.

Pay electronically: from 1 July 2026 all rent must be paid by bank transfer, card or another electronic method.

No stamp duty on leases signed from 1 January 2026.

UK-only passport? Your tenancy agreement is your proof of accommodation for a residence permit, not for a yellow slip.

€1,000–1,500

2-bed apartment per month

Investropa 2026 market data

1–2 months

Typical deposit

12 months

Standard contract length

+6%

Apartment rents, year on year

2026 estimate

What long-term rentals in Paphos cost

Long-term rentals in Paphos start at about €500 a month for a studio and run to €1,900 for a family home in 2026. The table uses two private data sources, because Cyprus publishes no official rent index for Paphos.

Home	Typical range (Investropa, 2026)	Average (Numbeo, Aug 2026)
Studio	€500 to €750	n/a
1-bed	€650 to €900	€967 in the centre, €875 outside
2-bed	€1,000 to €1,500	n/a
3-bed	€1,100 to €1,900 (family areas, 2 to 3-bed)	€1,863 in the centre, €1,671 outside

The two sources don't agree exactly. Numbeo's figures come from user submissions and lean towards newer furnished flats. Treat both as a guide and check live listings for the area you want.

Rents are rising. Investropa estimates apartment rents in Paphos are up about 6% on a year earlier, with the biggest rises on good furnished 1 and 2-bed flats. Per square metre, most apartments let for €10 to €25 a month, averaging about €15.

For your full monthly budget, including food, fuel and schools, use the Paphos cost of living calculator.

Monthly housing budget for a 2-bed in Paphos

Rent plus the bills that usually sit with the tenant. Summer air conditioning pushes electricity up.

Rent, 2-bed apartmentInvestropa 2026 range

€1,000–1,500

Basic utilities (electricity, water, refuse)Numbeo average for an 85 m² flat, Aug 2026

€150

Broadband (60 Mbps+)Numbeo average, Aug 2026

€31

Total per month

€1,181 – €1,681

Communal fees for pools, lifts and gardens vary by complex. By law the owner pays them, but many contracts pass them to the tenant, so check the wording.

Where to rent in Paphos

The area changes the rent more than the size of the flat. Kato Paphos, Universal and Tombs of the Kings are the priciest: good apartments there let for about €900 to €1,600 a month. They are walkable, close to the seafront, and the flats get snapped up.

A palm-lined street of low-rise apartment blocks in Universal, Paphos — Universal, a residential area close to the town centre

Families usually look further out. In Geroskipou, Konia, Anavargos, Tala, Emba, Mesogi and Chloraka, 2 and 3-bed apartments and maisonettes typically let for €1,100 to €1,900. You get more space and quieter streets, but you will need a car.

Area	Feel	Typical rent (2026)	Guide
Kato Paphos	Seafront, harbour, tourist strip	€900 to €1,600	Kato Paphos
Universal	Residential, near the beach and shops	€900 to €1,600	Universal
Chloraka	Coastal village, big British community	€1,100 to €1,900 (family homes)	Chloraka
Konia	Hillside suburb, schools nearby	€1,100 to €1,900 (family homes)	Konia
Tala	Hill village, views, cooler summers	€1,100 to €1,900 (family homes)	Tala

Peyia (about 15 km from Paphos, a 15 to 20-minute drive) and Coral Bay sit further up the coast. See best areas for families and the full Paphos locations guide.

How to find a long-term rental

Most long-term rentals in Paphos are listed on Bazaraki (the local classifieds site), in Facebook groups for Paphos rentals, and through local letting agents. Good flats in Universal and Kato Paphos often go within days, especially from late August when school starts.

Start 4 to 6 weeks before you arrive. Shortlist online, then view in person or send someone you trust. A video call walk-round is the minimum.

A bright rental apartment kitchen in Paphos with a bowl of oranges — A furnished rental kitchen in Paphos

If you need somewhere for the first few weeks, a furnished monthly let lets you view in person before you sign a 12-month contract. Winter monthly lets are easy to find; from May to October they get scarce and expensive.

One thing to watch out for: short-term holiday lets. Many flats in Kato Paphos and Coral Bay switch to holiday rental from May to October. If a landlord offers you a winter-only let, you will be moving again in spring.

Using an agent costs you nothing in some cases and a fee in others. Ask up front who pays the agent's commission, and check the agent's registration number with the Real Estate Agents Registration Council.

Your rental search timeline

Good long-term lets in Paphos go fast. This is the order that works when you are searching from the UK.

1
Set your area and budget
8 weeks before you move
Pick one or two areas from the table above. Budget rent plus about €180 a month for utilities and broadband, and 2 to 3 months' rent up front for deposit and first month.
2
Shortlist
4 to 6 weeks before
Search Bazaraki, the Paphos rental Facebook groups and two or three registered letting agents. Ignore anything that is only available until May.
3
View by video or in person
2 to 4 weeks before
Ask for a live video walk-round, not photos. Check the AC units, water heater and any damp in corners and wardrobes.
4
Check the landlord and sign
1 to 2 weeks before
Match the landlord's ID to the owner, or see the agent's written authority. Read the contract clauses listed below, then pay the deposit by bank transfer.
5
Move in
Arrival day
Sign the inventory, take dated photos of every room, and put electricity and water into your name. See the utilities guide.

Watch out

The rental scam that catches newcomers

The classic Paphos rental scam: a great flat at a low price, a landlord who is 'abroad', and a request for a deposit before you can view. Never pay before you, or someone you trust, has seen the property and the landlord's ID matches the title deed or a letting authority. Since July 2026 all rent must go electronically anyway, so a cash-only landlord is a red flag. If you later buy, the same rule applies with more at stake: see the pitfalls of buying property in Cyprus.

The tenancy agreement: what to check

A Cyprus tenancy agreement is legally binding once both sides sign. Most long-term lets are 12-month fixed terms. If you stay on after it ends without a new contract, the tenancy can continue on an open-ended basis.

Read these clauses before you sign:

Rent, due date and increases. Is there an increase at renewal, and how much?
Deposit. Amount, where it is held, and the conditions for return.
Bills. Electricity, water, internet and communal fees. The owner is legally responsible for communal fees, but many contracts pass them to the tenant. The wording decides it.
Repairs. Who fixes air conditioning, water heaters and appliances. Get it written down.
Break clause. Can you leave early, and on how much notice?
Inventory. A signed list of furniture and condition, with dated photos.

Moving boxes and a potted olive tree in a bright, empty apartment in Paphos — Moving day in a Paphos apartment

Stamp duty used to apply to leases. It was abolished from 1 January 2026, so new contracts don't need stamping.

Property brief

Get help finding a long-term rental in Paphos

Tell us your budget, dates and must-haves. We introduce you to a registered local agent who can shortlist and view properties for you before you fly out.

Registered agents only
Viewings by video before you arrive
Free introduction

Founder-led. Replies within one working day.

Deposits: how to get yours back

The usual deposit is one or two months' rent. Luxury homes sometimes ask for more. There is no national deposit protection scheme like the UK's, so your contract and your records are your protection.

A landlord may deduct only for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or unpaid communal charges that the contract made your responsibility. If a landlord won't return the deposit, you can bring a claim in the District Court. Written agreements, receipts and bank transfer records are your evidence.

Three habits make disputes rare: photograph everything at check-in and check-out, report faults in writing (WhatsApp counts), and never pay rent in cash.

Tenant rights in Cyprus

Most expat rentals are contractual tenancies, governed by the contract you sign and decided by the District Court if there is a dispute. The Rent Control Law does not cover them.

The seafront path at Geroskipou near Paphos with apartment blocks behind the palms — The seafront at Geroskipou

The Rent Control Law applies only to properties completed by 31 December 1999 in designated rent-control areas, and not to tenancies of six months or less. Tenants there can become statutory tenants with strong protection from eviction. For those properties, the Council of Ministers capped rent increases at 6% from 22 April 2025 to 21 April 2027, and only if two years have passed since the last increase.

Whatever the contract says, a landlord cannot:

change the locks without a court order
cut off your electricity or water
enter without reasonable notice, except in an emergency
harass you to make you leave

A landlord also can't end a fixed-term contract early just because they want to sell, as long as you keep to its terms. Cyprus Mail reports that a contested eviction can take years through the courts.

Renting and your residence permit

Your tenancy agreement is the usual proof of accommodation for a residence application. Which application depends on your passport.

UK-only passport: you are a third-country national. You need a temporary residence permit, such as Category F for people with independent means, a work permit, or the digital nomad route. Owning or renting a home does not by itself let you stay beyond 90 days.
Irish or other EU passport: you register for the yellow slip (MEU1) within four months of arriving, and your tenancy agreement supports it.

A fixed address also matters for tax. If you plan to use the 60-day rule, a home you rent or own in Cyprus is one of the conditions.

Utilities and moving in

Utilities are almost never included in a long-term rent. You usually open accounts for electricity with the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, water with the local water board or municipality, and internet with a provider of your choice. If you'd rather not do it yourself, our Paphos utilities setup service can arrange all three.

Numbeo puts basic utilities for an 85 m² Paphos flat at about €150 a month on average, and broadband at about €31. Air conditioning in July and August can push electricity well above that.

House keys on a wooden table in a bright, empty living room in Paphos — Keys should change hands only after the checks are done

For buying, renting and the market in one place, see the Paphos property hub. Our utilities guide walks through each account and what documents to bring. If you are deciding between renting and buying, read rent first vs buy in Paphos or my view on why you should rent before buying. When you're ready, our guide to buying property in Paphos covers the process and costs.

Renting in Paphos: your questions

In 2026, expect about €650 to €900 a month for a 1-bed, €1,000 to €1,500 for a 2-bed, and €1,100 to €1,900 for a 2 to 3-bed family home, based on private market data. Kato Paphos and Universal cost more.

Renting first?

Use your rental year to find the right place to buy

When you are ready, we introduce you to a registered agent to search and an independent lawyer to check the property.

Help me find a property Read the buying guide

Sources checked for this page

1.CyLaw: Rent (Control) Law, Cap. 86Government
2.Harris Kyriakides: 6% cap on rent increases 2025 to 2027Professional
3.AGP Law: Landlords and tenants in CyprusProfessional
4.IBCCS: Electronic rent payments from 1 July 2026 (Tax Department announcement)Professional
5.Kyriakides, Savvides & Associates: 2026 tax reform changes affecting rentalsProfessional
6.Numbeo: Cost of living in PaphosProfessional
7.Investropa: Paphos rents 2026Experience
8.Cyprus Mail: Renting in Cyprus, tenant rights, deposits and scamsExperience
9.Central Bank of Cyprus: Residential Property Price Index 2026 Q2 (district tables, sales contracts, housing loan rate)Government

Written by

Jason

Founder, Paphos Advisor

British founder who moved his family from the UK to Paphos in 2025. I write down what I learned doing it properly — the tax, the residency and the living-here detail — and introduce people to the specialists I’d use myself.

How I research and fact-check

Long-Term Rentals in Paphos: The 2026 Renting Guide

What long-term rentals in Paphos cost

Monthly housing budget for a 2-bed in Paphos

Where to rent in Paphos

How to find a long-term rental

Your rental search timeline

Set your area and budget

Shortlist

View by video or in person

Check the landlord and sign

Move in

The tenancy agreement: what to check

Before you sign a Paphos rental

Get help finding a long-term rental in Paphos

Deposits: how to get yours back

Tenant rights in Cyprus

Renting and your residence permit

Utilities and moving in

Renting in Paphos: your questions

Sources checked for this page

Keep reading

What long-term rentals in Paphos cost

Monthly housing budget for a 2-bed in Paphos

Where to rent in Paphos

How to find a long-term rental

Your rental search timeline

Set your area and budget

Shortlist

View by video or in person

Check the landlord and sign

Move in

The tenancy agreement: what to check

Before you sign a Paphos rental

Get help finding a long-term rental in Paphos

Deposits: how to get yours back

Renting and your residence permit

Utilities and moving in

Renting in Paphos: your questions

Long-Term Rentals in Paphos: The 2026 Renting Guide

What long-term rentals in Paphos cost

Monthly housing budget for a 2-bed in Paphos

Where to rent in Paphos

How to find a long-term rental

Your rental search timeline

Set your area and budget

Shortlist

View by video or in person

Check the landlord and sign

Move in

The tenancy agreement: what to check

Before you sign a Paphos rental

Get help finding a long-term rental in Paphos

Deposits: how to get yours back

Tenant rights in Cyprus

Renting and your residence permit

Utilities and moving in

Renting in Paphos: your questions

How much does it cost to rent in Paphos?

What is the minimum long-term rental in Cyprus?

Do I need a deposit to rent in Paphos?

Can I pay rent in cash in Cyprus?

Can my landlord raise the rent during the contract?

Can I use my rental for a yellow slip?

Are furnished rentals common in Paphos?

Which is the nicest part of Paphos to rent in?

Are there long-term houses available to rent in Paphos?

Why are rents so high in Paphos?

How much does it cost to live in Paphos?

Sources checked for this page

Keep reading

What long-term rentals in Paphos cost

Monthly housing budget for a 2-bed in Paphos

Where to rent in Paphos

How to find a long-term rental

Your rental search timeline

Set your area and budget

Shortlist

View by video or in person

Check the landlord and sign

Move in

The tenancy agreement: what to check

Before you sign a Paphos rental

Get help finding a long-term rental in Paphos

Deposits: how to get yours back

Renting and your residence permit

Utilities and moving in

Renting in Paphos: your questions

How much does it cost to rent in Paphos?

What is the minimum long-term rental in Cyprus?

Do I need a deposit to rent in Paphos?

Can I pay rent in cash in Cyprus?

Can my landlord raise the rent during the contract?

Can I use my rental for a yellow slip?

Are furnished rentals common in Paphos?

Which is the nicest part of Paphos to rent in?

Are there long-term houses available to rent in Paphos?

Why are rents so high in Paphos?

How much does it cost to live in Paphos?