Internet & Mobile in Cyprus: Providers, Plans & Getting Connected

In short: how to get online in Cyprus

If you need internet and a phone in Cyprus (especially in Paphos and the surrounding area), it's easier than you might fear: four major providers — Cyta, Epic, PrimeTel and Cablenet — cover both landline/broadband and mobile. Fibre is available in the cities and many suburbs, and mobile 4G/5G has good blanket coverage. To get started at the airport, your best bet is a prepaid SIM or an eSIM; you can then order your landline/fibre connection at your leisure. Important since late 2025: every prepaid SIM is now subject to a registration/ID requirement — without ID and a name, nothing works anymore. All prices below are approximate guide values (as of 2026) and can differ significantly depending on promotions, bundles and location — the relevant provider's website is always the authoritative source.

The four major providers at a glance

The telecoms market in the Republic of Cyprus is essentially carried by four companies. All of them now offer "triple/quad-play" packages, meaning internet, often TV/IPTV and mobile from a single source.

Provider	Background	Landline/internet technology	Mobile	Profile
Cyta	Former state monopolist, largest network	Fibre (FTTH), VDSL, own backbone	Cytamobile-Vodafone, widest coverage	Premium/reach
Epic	Formerly MTN, international owner	Fibre, DSL	Epic, repeatedly awarded "fastest network"	Speed & promotions
PrimeTel	Private provider, strong in IPTV/sport	Fibre, DSL	Own mobile network (slower 5G rollout)	Value for money
Cablenet	Originally a cable-TV network	Cable (DOCSIS) + fibre rollout	Mobile as MVNO/own network, budget plans	Cheap, cable areas

Important for Paphos: The availability of the technology depends heavily on your specific address. In Kato Paphos, the town centre and larger residential areas, fibre is often already rolled out; in more rural locations (e.g. some mountain villages toward Tala, Polis or the hinterland) it may still be VDSL over copper or even mobile internet only. So always check address availability first on the provider's website before committing to a plan.

A note on Northern Cyprus

This guide refers to the Republic of Cyprus (the EU part, incl. Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, southern Nicosia). In the Turkish-administered north, different providers apply (e.g. Telsim, TRNC networks), different roaming rules and different registration procedures — that is not covered here.

Landline & broadband: technologies and availability

In Cyprus today you'll essentially find three access technologies for fixed home internet:

• Fibre (FTTH/Fibre): The fastest and most stable option. Cyta advertises packages all the way up to very high bandwidths (guide value up to the gigabit range, and in some areas more). Epic and PrimeTel are also expanding fibre.
• VDSL/DSL (copper): Where fibre isn't yet laid, the internet runs over the phone line. Realistic speeds here, as a rough guide, often fall between around 30 and 100 Mbit/s download, depending on line length.
• Cable (DOCSIS, especially Cablenet): In areas with cable-TV infrastructure, a fast alternative, with high download rates but often asymmetric (significantly less upload).

Typical speeds (guide values, as of 2026)

Publicly available measurements give roughly the following picture — no guarantee, since real-world figures depend heavily on plan, technology and location:

• Cablenet achieved very high average download rates in 2025/26 measurement periods (on the order of around 120–130 Mbit/s on average).
• Epic performed above average on upload (a mean on the order of around 60 Mbit/s) — relevant for working from home, video calls and cloud backups.
• Cyta scores above all on reach and high fibre peak values.

Rule of thumb: if real fibre (FTTH) reaches your address, take it. It's almost always superior on upload and latency — which is exactly what remote workers need.

Ballpark prices for fixed-line internet

Reliable day-to-day prices change constantly due to promotions. As a rough orientation (as of 2026, approximate), pure internet packages or internet+landline bundles often sit in the range of around €25–€45 per month for standard speeds, with surcharges for high fibre tiers or additional IPTV/sport packages. Some providers advertise free installation with a 12-month commitment, and there were promotions in 2026 offering several free initial months (you only pay the connection fee). Never rely on these figures as a fixed price — the provider's official tariff page is authoritative.

The connection process: how to order home internet

The process is similar across all providers. For a new installation, realistically allow a few days to a few weeks, depending on demand and whether a technician needs to come.

Step by step

1. Check availability: Enter your address on the provider's website ("Check availability"). This shows you whether fibre, VDSL or cable is available at your home.
2. Choose a plan/bundle: Internet only, with a landline phone, with IPTV/TV box, or as quad-play with mobile.
3. Place the order: Online, by phone or — very popular and recommended especially in Paphos — in person at the shop. In the shop, language barriers and contract details are easiest to clarify (staff usually speak English).
4. Installation appointment: For fibre/new connections, a technician may come to lay/activate the line and set up the router.
5. Receive router/equipment: Usually the router is provided (rental or purchase model). With IPTV packages, there's also a TV box.

Required documents (guide values)

Binding lists vary by provider — when in doubt, ask directly. Typically you'll need:

• Passport or EU ID card (proof of identity)
• Proof of address or rental contract or proof of ownership for the home
• Bank details/IBAN for direct debit or a Cypriot bank account (or card)
• For non-EU citizens, possibly a residence permit/ARC (Alien Registration Card)

Practical tip for newcomers: If you don't yet have a Cypriot bank account, ordering a contract can be tricky. Bridge the first weeks with prepaid mobile and order the landline once your account and residence papers are in place.

Mobile: prepaid vs. contract

For many expats, mobile is the more important part in Cyprus — whether as a main line, a starter solution or a backup for the home office.

Prepaid (pay-as-you-go)

• Ideal for getting started and for anyone who doesn't want to commit.
• Top up via app, shop, online or at kiosks.
• Note the registration requirement (see next section) — prepaid is no longer "anonymous".
• Price guide values: simple packages with data start at roughly the low single-digit euros per month, larger data/all-net bundles correspondingly higher.

Contract (postpaid)

• Worth it if you're staying long-term and need a lot of data.
• Often with device financing, EU roaming options and a bundle discount if you also have a landline with the same provider.
• Generally requires a Cypriot bank account and a credit/identity check.

Mobile plans: ballpark prices (as of 2026, approximate)

These values are hedged guide values from publicly advertised packages — not guaranteed prices:

Provider	Example postpaid ballpark	Note
Cyta (Cytamobile-Vodafone)	from roughly €12–€13/month for a basic package with calls/SMS and a few GB; "Unlimited" tiers higher	widest coverage
Epic	simple pay-per-use from approx. €4/month; unlimited 5G data from roughly €20/month	often awarded "fastest network"
PrimeTel	"Giga" packages from roughly €10/month; Traveller package with EU roaming roughly €20/month	price-oriented
Cablenet	budget plans, MVNO model	cheapest entry points

Must-know: SIM registration & ID requirement (since 2025)

This is the most important legal change of late — and crucial for newcomers:

Cyprus has introduced a legal obligation to register and identify all prepaid mobile numbers (implemented by the Office of the Commissioner for Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation). Users had to register their prepaid SIMs in their name by the end of 2025 (the deadline was extended to 10 December 2025). Unregistered numbers were deactivated.

What this means for you

• Anonymous prepaid SIMs no longer exist. Every card must be linked to an identified holder.
• To register, you need a valid identity document:
  • EU citizens / Cypriots: ID card or passport.
  • Non-EU citizens: passport and, if applicable, a residence permit/ARC or proof of a pending application (e.g. international protection, long-term residence).
• Registration route: EU citizens can sometimes register online; with an ARC/foreign documents, in-person registration at the shop is often required.

In practice: Buy your starter SIM directly at an official provider shop (including at Paphos/Larnaca airport or in town) and have it registered there straight away with your passport. The card is then immediately and permanently usable.

Aid organisations such as Caritas Cyprus offer multilingual support with registration — useful if your paperwork situation is complicated. This is not legal advice; binding information comes from the official authority (gov.cy) or your provider.

eSIM: the smart solution for getting started

If you've just arrived and want to be online immediately (for a maps app, a taxi, first calls), an eSIM is often the fastest solution — provided your phone supports it.

• Travel eSIMs (e.g. from international eSIM providers) can be installed via QR code before you fly and are active from the moment you land. Handy for the first few days.
• Local eSIM: Cyta, Epic and PrimeTel increasingly offer their own eSIM profiles. Note, however, that the registration requirement applies here too, so you'll have to identify yourself.
• Note: Data-only travel eSIMs often don't give you a Cypriot phone number. For a local number (important for banks, authorities, delivery services) you'll eventually need a regular local SIM/eSIM with registration.

Recommended sequence for newcomers: travel eSIM for the first few days → register a local SIM/eSIM with your passport on the ground → if you're staying long-term, possibly switch to a contract and bundle it with a landline.

Network coverage in Cyprus and around Paphos

Mobile coverage in the Republic of Cyprus is overall good to very good:

• Cyta is regarded as the network with the widest 4G/5G coverage, even in remote areas and partly at sea.
• Epic is regularly awarded fastest network — strong for data/streaming.
• PrimeTel is somewhat slower on the 5G rollout and in some places still relies more heavily on 4G/4G+.
• 5G is available in cities (Paphos, Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca) and many tourist areas; in remote mountain villages it may fall back to 4G.

Specifically for Paphos: In Kato Paphos, the town centre and along the coast, coverage is strong. In the hills toward Tala, Tsada or the Troodos foothills, the signal can become patchily weaker in spots — anyone living there should gather first-hand feedback from neighbours before signing a contract, or use a prepaid SIM to test.

Roaming & the EU: calling from abroad

Good news for EU commuters: in Cyprus the EU "Roam Like At Home" rule applies. With a Cypriot plan you can call, text and surf in all EU/EEA countries at domestic rates — at no extra charge. Since the start of 2026, the roaming zone has also been extended to further countries.

But beware — fair-use policy:

• "Roam Like At Home" is intended for travel, not for permanent roaming. Anyone living permanently in Cyprus should have a local Cypriot plan — don't try to permanently roam with a German/Austrian SIM.
• Providers may check over an observation period (guide value ~4 months): if you spend more time abroad than in your home country and your roaming usage exceeds your domestic usage, the provider can charge surcharges or contact you.
• The data cap for roaming surcharges is set very low by regulation (on the order of around €1/GB plus VAT, as a guide value).

Consequence for expats: Once you're a permanent resident in Cyprus, a local contract/prepaid is almost always the right choice — cheaper, legally sound and without the risk of roaming throttling.

Router, IPTV & additional devices

• Router: Usually provided by the provider (often as a rental device). You can sometimes use your own router, but with fibre/IPTV the provider's device is usually the most hassle-free solution.
• IPTV/TV: PrimeTel and Cyta are strong on TV/sport packages (football, etc.). These come via a TV box and are often part of bundles. For German-language TV, many expats additionally use streaming services over the internet line.
• Landline number: Included in many bundles, but secondary for most expats — mobile dominates.

Tips for remote workers & home office

If you work remotely in Cyprus (digital nomad, employee working from home, self-employed), more matters than just the download figure on the advertising billboard:

What really counts

• Upload speed: For video calls, file uploads and cloud backups, upload is decisive. Fibre (FTTH) offers symmetric or at least high upload rates here; cable is often asymmetric (little upload). Epic has recently been regarded as upload-strong.
• Latency/stability: For calls and remote desktop, low, stable latency matters more than pure peak bandwidth. Fibre almost always wins here.
• Static IP / VPN: If you need a fixed IP for a company VPN, clarify this with the provider in advance (often a business plan is required).

Backup strategy: double up

Power cuts and brief outages happen. A mobile backup saves important calls:

1. Second SIM on a different network: If your landline runs over Cyta, keep a prepaid SIM from Epic ready (or vice versa). If one network goes down, you have the other.
2. Hotspot/tethering: A modern phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot — usually sufficient for emergencies.
3. 4G/5G router as backup: Anyone who permanently depends on stability runs a separate LTE/5G router with its own data SIM, which automatically takes over if the landline fails.

Rule of thumb for remote workers: Fibre as your main line + mobile from a second provider as backup. This network diversity is the cheapest insurance against missed calls.

Common pitfalls

• Address not checked: You booked a plan, but only VDSL is available at the specific address, not fibre. → Always check availability first.
• No bank account: Postpaid contracts often need a Cypriot bank account. → Bridge with prepaid.
• SIM not registered: Since 2025, an unregistered prepaid SIM is deactivated. → Always register with ID.
• Permanent roaming with a home SIM: Works at first, but is curbed by the fair-use policy. → Go local.
• Overlooked contract commitment: "Free installation" often hinges on a 12-month minimum term.

Important note

This article is general orientation, not legal, tax or consumer advice. All prices, speeds and legal details are approximate guide values (as of 2026) and change constantly. The only authoritative sources are the official provider websites (Cyta, Epic, PrimeTel, Cablenet) and, for regulatory questions, the competent authority (Office of the Commissioner for Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation, gov.cy). When in doubt, ask directly in the shop or consult official sources.