Living in Paphos

Hi Ann and welcome to the Forum.

The Numbeo website offers information related to your question; one word of warning, the data is a picture of the previous 12-months, so is always a bit out of date.  This link will take you to the relevant page.  There is also a section within the web-page that allows you to compare it with where you live now.

Hope this helps.

hi anndunkley
personal expense here  is a difficult one to judge as its all dependent on your real budget, accom, transport whether you need to work or not, whether there are children or family to consider, managing expectations is important, and of course the  lifestyle you want and can afford.... we are all different but we live no differently to the way we lived when in malta but a far better lifestyle than uk and its the same for us here, we are just as careful and we spend similar amounts - where things are cheaper here we spend the savings on the things that are more expensive  - so its swings and roundabouts really.

this is for two people
for example here you will get good high quality 2-3 bed apartments and townhouses for €300-450 a month villas with own pools from €450-700.... water is very very cheap at 0.40-0.60c per 1000L  electric is i think an expensive commodity here but almost all houses here have solar panels so that helps... 0.13-0.16c per unit for everyone but then there is the extras fuel surcharges PSO vat etc ..... our average bills between €120-150 per two months but that includes pool running   and water is about €35 per three months

food stuffs well thats a very personal thing our budget for that is about €100 per week (we usually shop at Lidls and the local supermarkets, but you soon find out where to shop... rarely do we use it all.. milk eggs and chicken are I think expensive here but we buy chicken in bulk when the offers are on whereas lots of other stuff fruit veg etc is so so cheap and good quality.......the same applies for going out socialising with friends, we probably go out on average 2-3 times per week average spend is maybe €15-20... when we eat out it can be anywhere between €10-25 per head.....but again we make sure we get the local 10-15% discount cards from the bars etc and we know where to eat and drink at a decent level without paying thru the nose... we tent to keep the "higher end" restaurants for special occasions.


Fags (€4-5 per pack) and drinks (€2-2.50) are cheap

the exchange rate movements are important and I personally follow it closely and make adjustments and exchanges when it is best to do so... investments are moved accordingly to ensure they are fully covered by the Depositor Compensation Scheme etc - its worked well for us in the 10 years we ve lived abroad and not  having worked at all in that time - so its just as important to get your financials in place before moving.

I would suggest that what you do is use this  - set out the budget as follows to cover your expectations

monthly spread of expense

Rent - (depends on property)but our 2 bed FF DG bungalow & basement pool drive carport and gardens-€500)
Rubbish/Communal charges - (often included in rents on many complex properties-some include water too) maybe €10-15)
Contents Insurance - (€5 -many dont bother with this we do as we have got about €15k of our own stuff)
Pool Maintenance if applicable - €50-80 (we do our own pool about €10 per month)
Heathcare Insurance and Private Ambulance cover - (min cover €15/mth each and ambulance cover at €20/mth each)
Life Insurances - (uk policies we have had for yrs ( joint cover at €18/mth)
Water - (with pool €12  - without pool €8)
Elec - (this can be anywhere between €45-75)
Gas - (€30 per month but only for dec to feb incl) best to use AC imo)
Mobile Phone - (PAYG units buy them in uk - very cheap to run) we simply buy a €10 top up and lasts ages)
Internet - expensive here (6mbps min required here for tv - €25-30) plus install of approx €100)
Smoking / vaping - (€150 - Caz has now given this up completely 18months now)
Hairdressing and nails etc - (€35 for hair (not mine i shave) - €25 for nails)
Clothing purchases - (cant assess this to be honest - clothing and shoes arent cheap)
Opticians - (varies)
Dentistry- (varies)
Doctors - (varies)
Car - (depends if you are bringing your own or buying here new or second hand)
Car Servicing  - (€10)
Fuel - (€60)
Road tax - (€5-10 depending on car co2 etc)
Car Insurance - (€25 depending on car, users, ages etc) 
Spends - (we budget €450 but usually spend far less)
Groceries - (we budget €450 but usually spend far less)
Pet food, cat lit etc (if applicable) we have our own cat and have been recently adopted by a feral one to so - probably €80)

hope this helps

Wow!! What a great reply. Thank you from a fellow Midlander.

actually a geordie by birth lol

Do we need to take out healthcare insurance when we move over if so please can you recommend the best/most reasonable to cover the basic  cover we will need

yes you will need evidence of healthcare cover for the immigration dept - it is a requirement for getting the yellow slip (Alien Registration Certificate)   - that cover depends on whether you are working or not or are retired and in receipt of state pensions.

Private Healthcare cover can be very expensive and gets more so the older you get. Get quotes form Atantic  - Pacific - Abbeygate - Top Quotes  - Status  - all are brokers and can give you full details

NB there is a policy that covers you for immigration  purposes but it is limited cover
- and costs about €165 to 185 per yr per person

Private policies  - can easily be €800-1200 or more per yr each - shop aorund and compare the cover available