Local Culture in Cyprus

You will likely experience a degree of culture shock in Cyprus, but you’ll also be relieved to know that, for the most part, acclimatising to life on the island is unlikely to require any drastic cultural adjustments.

Emerging from a fairly tumultuous history, Cyprus has become a wealthy country with a high Human Development Index and sound infrastructure that attracts considerable foreign investment, making moving to the island an attractive prospect.

Daily life in Cyprus

The Cypriot lifestyle is generally relaxed and informal – the island’s unofficial motto is ‘siga, siga’ – ‘slowly, slowly’. While this easy-going attitude towards life often attracts expats to Cyprus, it can be frustrating when dealing with bureaucracy or administrative affairs. If you are used to an efficient bureaucracy, we recommend adjusting your expectations accordingly.

As informal as life on the island can be, the culture in Cyprus is broadly marked by respect, honour, and humility. Expats who are from countries where self-promotion is considered a worthy personal attribute might find that they rub against the island’s social grain.

Religion in Cyprus

Religion is important in Cyprus, and respecting people’s religious beliefs – whether Greek Orthodox or Muslim – is sacrosanct. When interacting with locals, you shouldn’t challenge them about their religious convictions, and you shouldn’t proselytise if you want to get along with them.

North vs South Cyprus

The history of conflict between the Greek and Turkish sectors of the population in Cyprus is a fairly fixed feature of the island’s social fabric, both figuratively and – with the country divided between a ‘Turkish North’ and ‘Greek South’ – literally. This is bound to result in some discomfort for expats from countries with homogeneous societies. That said, most Cypriots welcome foreigners, and regardless of where you choose to live, you will find your new countrymen friendly and hospitable.

Driving in Cyprus

If you’re looking to drive in Cyprus, you’ll find that most expats often complain that Cypriots are bad drivers. This may be a relative judgment, but people who are new to the island should take some time to adjust to the rhythm of the roads in Cyprus before taking the wheel themselves.

Animals in Cyprus

Animal lovers may be disturbed by the number of stray dogs and cats on the island, which are mostly left to fend for themselves and are largely ignored by locals. As is the case in a city like Athens, they’re a part of the country, and while Cypriots generally aren’t ‘pet people,’ animal cruelty is certainly not the norm.

LGBTQ+ in Cyprus

Although LGBTQ+ individuals have a fair few legal protections in Cyprus, the older and religious sections of the island’s society may still hold homophobic views and discriminate against members of the community.

That said, the younger generations are largely accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals, and if you’re a member of the community, you’ll largely feel safe and welcomed. There is also an annual pride parade on the island, which is helping to bridge the gaps, but more work still needs to be done in Cyprus.

Women in Cyprus

The representation of women in Cyprus outside the home and in politics is slowly increasing. Most women report feeling safe in Cyprus, so expat women will not have to worry about their safety on the island.

While gender equality is enshrined in the law, religious values and patriarchal norms still contribute to how women are treated in society. Many women are often expected to prioritise family life over their professional ambitions.