Renting an apartment in Cyprus is 30 percent cheaper. Poles can benefit too.

Renting an apartment in Cyprus can be up to 30 percent cheaper than average market rates. Polish citizens are also eligible for the affordable rental program, but they must demonstrate five years of legal and uninterrupted residence in the Republic of Cyprus and meet income criteria.

This is not a subsidy for any apartment found on the market. Properties submitted by owners and approved under the "Renovate–Rent" program are eligible for the program. Tenants must register on the "Affordable Housing" platform and receive confirmation that they meet the required criteria.

Apartment rental in Cyprus 30% below market

Affordable rent is based on the average market rate reduced by 30%. The following factors are taken into account when calculating the rent:

• district and more precise location of the property,
• type of apartment or house,
• the area of the premises,
• property type.

This calculated amount represents the maximum rent that can be charged under the program. Therefore, there is no single rate applicable across the island.

If the average market rent for a specific apartment in a given area is €1,000, the maximum rate under the program should be around €700. However, the actual amount depends on the official list of rents assigned to the location, type, and size of the property.

Poles can submit applications

The program is intended for citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and other European Union countries. This means that Poles can also benefit from it.

However, for EU citizens, there is an important condition: Applicants must have legally, permanently, and continuously resided in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus for five years preceding the program's announcement on March 16, 2026.

In practice, this means that you must document your continuity of residence from at least March 16, 2021. Polish citizenship or recently obtaining a Yellow Slip document is not enough.

Registration documents, proof of employment, social security contributions, tax returns or other evidence of legal and actual residence may be required when processing your application.

What are the income limits?

The gross annual income of the entire household is taken into account. The maximum amount depends on the number of people:

• one person – up to 30 thousand euro,
• a couple or a two-person family with one parent – up to 50,000 euros,
• a family of three – up to 55,000 euros,
• a family of four – up to 60,000 euros,
• a family of at least five people – up to 70,000 euros.

Exceeding the household limit means you won't be eligible for the program. These amounts apply to your family's total gross income, not just the individual applying.

The candidate cannot have his/her own apartment

Another requirement is that you do not own residential property. Neither the applicant nor their spouse or partner can own the apartment or house on the date of application.

The program is designed for low- and moderate-income individuals who must meet their housing needs in the rental market. It is not available to individuals who already own a habitable home.

Where will cheaper apartments come from?

Owners of vacant, unused, or refurbished properties can receive government funding for renovations. In return, the property must be made available to qualified tenants at a price below market value.

The program is intended to achieve two goals simultaneously: increase the number of apartments available for rent and restore premises that have been empty for a long time.

This doesn't mean that every vacant property will automatically be eligible for the program. The owner must submit an application, the property must meet the program's requirements, and after renovation, the appropriate procedures must be followed.

Registration does not guarantee receiving an apartment

Meeting the criteria and entering the system does not mean that a property will be immediately allocated. The number of offers will depend on how many owners submit their properties, how many apartments undergo renovation and qualification, and in which locations they are available.

It may therefore happen that a candidate meets all the requirements, but there is no suitable offer in the city he is interested in.

Those renting an apartment on the open market should remember that the monthly rent is only part of the initial expenses. The landlord may require payment of the first month's rent, one or two security deposits, and utility deposits.

Where to submit an application?

Potential tenants register electronically through the official "Affordable Housing" platform. Applications for the current version of the program are being accepted from March 16, 2026.

The program can significantly reduce monthly costs, especially in cities where rent prices have risen significantly in recent years. However, the most significant limitations for Poles remain the requirement to document five years of continuous residence and the availability of suitable housing in the chosen location.

Sources: Affordable Housing platform, Cyprus Land Development Organisation, Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus