Connectivity Guide
Getting Connected: Choosing a SIM Card or Mobile Plan in Cyprus (2025)
One of your very first tasks upon arriving in Cyprus is getting a local phone number. You'll need it for everything, from contacting real estate agents to opening a bank account. The market is competitive, with several excellent providers offering different plans. This CyExpats.com guide compares the main options to help you choose wisely.
The First Step: Pay As You Go. For your first few weeks, the easiest option is a prepaid (Pay As You Go) SIM card. You can buy one at any airport, kiosk (periptero), or provider store with just your passport. This gets you connected immediately while you decide on a longer-term plan.
The Main Mobile Providers in Cyprus
The Cypriot mobile market is dominated by four main network operators, all of which offer extensive 4G and rapidly expanding 5G coverage across the island. In addition to these, there are Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like Gomo that use the infrastructure of the main networks to provide competitive, often digital-first, services.
| Provider | Example Pay As You Go Offer | Example Monthly Contract | Pros & Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
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soeasy Combo: €15 for 100GB data, 1000 mins & SMS. Excellent starter packs available at kiosks. | Freedom Plans: Start around €25/month for generous data (~50GB) and minutes. Often bundled with home internet for discounts. | Pros: Widest network coverage, considered the most reliable. Excellent customer service. Cons: Often the most expensive option. |
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Holiday SIM: €20 for 100GB data, valid for 15 days. Great for new arrivals. Various top-up options. | 5G Unlimited Plans: Often have aggressive pricing, starting from ~€20/month for unlimited data (with speed caps on cheaper plans). | Pros: Excellent value for money, often awarded the fastest network speeds. Strong 5G network. Cons: Coverage can be slightly less comprehensive than Cyta in very remote areas. |
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Tourist SIM: €20 for ~250GB, valid for 20 days. Offers very large data packages for prepaid customers. | GIGA Plans: Focus on providing large data volumes for competitive prices. Good family plan options. | Pros: Often the most budget-friendly, especially for data-heavy users. Good bundle deals. Cons: Network coverage and speed might not be as consistent as Cyta or Epic in all locations. |
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Mobile Purple: Offers simple prepaid plans that can be managed via their app. Focus is more on their contract bundles. | Purple Max Plans: Very competitive when bundled with their home internet and TV services. Often includes unlimited data. | Pros: Excellent value if you also use their home internet. Good customer support. Cons: As a newer mobile network operator, their footprint is still growing compared to the others. |
Gomo |
Operates on a simple, recurring monthly subscription model rather than traditional Pay As You Go top-ups. | Simple Monthly Plan: Offers a highly competitive plan for €7.99 per month. This plan operates on the Epic 5G network. | Pros: Extremely competitive pricing. Utilises the fast Epic 5G network. Simple, straightforward plan. Cons: Digital-first service, primarily managed via an app. May not have physical stores for support. |
Pay As You Go vs. Monthly Contract
Your choice depends on your length of stay and your data usage.
Pay As You Go (Prepaid)
Ideal for your first month or for light users. It offers maximum flexibility with no commitment.
- Documents Needed: Just your Passport or EU ID card.
- How it Works: You buy a SIM card for a small fee (~€2-€5) which may include some initial credit. You then "top up" your credit with vouchers or online and purchase data/call bundles that last for a specific period (e.g., 30 days).
- Best For: New arrivals, short-term visitors, people who don't want a credit check.
Monthly Contract (Postpaid)
The most cost-effective option for long-term residents. Contracts are typically for 12 or 24 months.
- Documents Needed: Passport/ID, Residency Permit (Yellow Slip), Proof of Address, and a Cypriot Bank Account for direct debit.
- How it Works: You sign a contract for a fixed period and pay a set amount each month. This usually offers far more data and minutes for your money than Pay As You Go.
- Best For: Long-term residents, heavy data users, families looking for multiple lines.
Other Things to Know
- eSIM Availability: All major providers now offer eSIMs for compatible phones. This allows you to install a Cypriot mobile plan digitally without needing a physical SIM card, which is great if you want to keep your home country's SIM active in your phone.
- Number Portability: If you start with a Pay As You Go number from one provider, you can easily switch to a contract plan with another provider and keep the same phone number. The new provider will handle the porting process for you.
- EU Roaming: As Cyprus is in the EU, all plans include "Roam Like at Home," meaning you can use your plan's allowances in any other EU country without extra charge (subject to fair use policies).