Internet and mobile in Cyprus: contract, SIM, your number

Housing in Cyprus Checked: 7 November 2026 Changed: 19 June 2026

24 monthsthe longest a contract can bind you
1 working dayat most without service when you switch operator
€150Cyta credit limit without permanent residence
€160Epic refundable deposit on 5 Gbps fibre without permanent residence

In short

Who it applies to: Anyone in Cyprus who needs home internet or a local number: people who have moved here, tenants and owners, and short-stay visitors.
What it costs: Operators change prices and offers every month, so compare them in cyCompare — the regulator OCECPR's tool, where operators enter their own tariffs — and on the Cyta, Epic, PrimeTel and Cablenet websites. Your residence status changes the terms: without permanent residence Cyta connects you with a €150 credit limit, and Epic asks for a refundable €160 deposit on its 5 Gbps fibre if you do not prove permanent residence. Porting your number is free. If the contract has an early exit fee, it is stated in the contract summary the operator must give you before you sign. By law Cyta gives permanent residents of Cyprus a reduced home phone and internet: recipients of public assistance or the guaranteed minimum income pay no more than 50% of the tariff, and people with a severe disability get them free plus 100 minutes of calls within Cyprus a month.
How long it takes: A contract with a monthly fee can bind you for 24 months at most. Once it has renewed itself, you may leave at any time with no more than 1 month's notice. If the operator changes the terms, it must tell you at least 1 month ahead, and within 1 month of that notice you may end the contract without penalty. When you switch operator, you are without service for no more than 1 working day. The operator answers a complaint in writing and resolves it within 15 working days.
Where to apply: You sign the contract in an operator's shop or online; at Cyta a new customer can verify their document and a selfie remotely. To switch operator and keep your number, you apply to the new operator, and the old contract ends by itself. A complaint goes to the operator in writing first; if the answer does not satisfy you, the next step is the regulator OCECPR (ΓΕΡΗΕΤ — Γραφείο Επιτρόπου Ρυθμίσεως Ηλεκτρονικών Επικοινωνιών και Ταχυδρομείων), through the form on its website, with the operator's answer attached. OCECPR does not award damages — for that you go to court.
If your case differs: A prepaid SIM or eSIM works only after registration: your name and the number of your ID card, passport or Alien Registration Certificate (ARC), with the original shown to the seller. Starter packs are sold at kiosks too, but the number can be registered only with the operator — online by uploading the document, or in a shop of the operator or its authorised partners. Old unregistered SIMs have been cut off, even with credit left on them. Whether your building has fibre is shown on the regulator's CyAtlas map and by the address check on operators' websites; you can measure your home internet speed with cyNettest — OCECPR accepts its results when it reviews complaints.

Your case

You have permanent residence in Cyprus or own your home

Cyta connects you without the credit limit condition. An EU citizen needs an ID card or passport and the permanent residence permit MEU3; a citizen of another country needs a passport and an Immigration Permit; a UK citizen, UKW3. Instead of the permit, a title deed or a stamped sales agreement will do. Epic and Cablenet ask for an ID card or passport and a proof of address — for example an electricity or water bill. If you are moving your number or internet from another operator, bring the latest bill from it.

You live in Cyprus on a temporary residence permit or the yellow slip MEU1

Cyta's list names only MEU3, the Immigration Permit and UKW3 as permanent, so you will most likely fall under «without permanent residence»: a passport or EU ID card and accepting a €150 credit limit. For Epic's 5 Gbps fibre without proof of permanent residence: a refundable €160 deposit, or a plan without a landline. Epic and Cablenet will also ask for a proof of address: once the electricity or water is in your name, the bill will do. For a prepaid SIM the law also accepts your Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) number.

You are here for a short stay, without a residence permit

The simplest option is a prepaid SIM or eSIM: an EU citizen needs an ID card or passport, everyone else a passport; you can register the number online with the operator or in its shop. If you have a SIM from another EU country, it works in Cyprus at home prices, and data roaming is capped by default at up to €50 a month excluding VAT. If you have moved here for good and keep living on a foreign SIM, the operator may add a surcharge: roaming at home prices is meant for travel. You can sign a Cyta contract with a passport and a €150 credit limit; Epic and Cablenet also require a proof of address.

Deadlines and conditions

a contract can bind you for 24 months at mostΚ.Δ.Π. 189/2025, art. 5(1): contracts «δεν επιβάλλουν περίοδο δέσμευσης άνω των εικοσιτεσάρων (24) μηνών». The exception is a separate instalment contract only for installing the physical line, not a router or modem.
after renewal you may leave with no more than 1 month's noticeΚ.Δ.Π. 189/2025, art. 5(3): after automatic renewal you may terminate «ανά πάσα στιγμή με μέγιστη προθεσμία προειδοποίησης ενός μήνα», paying only the administrative cost of disconnection and the charges for the notice period.
within 1 month of a notice of changed terms you may end the contract without penaltyΚ.Δ.Π. 189/2025, art. 5(4): the operator gives notice «τουλάχιστον ένα (1) μήνα» before changing the terms; the notice states the right «εντός ενός μηνός από την ενημέρωση, να καταγγείλει τη σύμβαση χωρίς κυρώσεις». It does not apply to changes solely in your favour, purely administrative ones or those imposed by law.
no more than 1 working day without service when you switchΚ.Δ.Π. 189/2025, art. 10(5): «η απώλεια υπηρεσίας κατά τη διαδικασία αλλαγής παροχέα και μεταφοράς αριθμού δεν μπορεί να υπερβαίνει τη μία (1) εργάσιμη ημέρα»; the number is activated «μέσα σε μια εργάσιμη ημέρα» of the agreed date. For internet access — art. 10(1).
you can still port the number for at least 1 month after ending the contractΚ.Δ.Π. 189/2025, art. 10(3): the right to port the number is kept «επί τουλάχιστον ένα μήνα μετά την ημερομηνία της καταγγελίας», unless you waive it.
the porting code is valid for 15 calendar daysΚ.Δ.Π. 5/2024, Annex 3, part Δ: the Porting Authentication Code is valid «15 ημερολογιακές ημέρες» from issue; for contract numbers it is permanent and printed on the bill, for prepaid it comes by SMS in reply to a free SMS (e.g. PORT) to your operator's 8ΧΧΧ number.
the operator answers a complaint in writing within 15 working daysΚ.Δ.Π. 189/2025, art. 40(2): the operator «οφείλει να απαντήσει εγγράφως σε αυτό και να φροντίσει να το επιλύσει εντός προθεσμίας δεκαπέντε (15) εργάσιμων ημερών»; art. 42(1): OCECPR takes a complaint only if it went to the operator in writing first.
without permanent residence Cyta connects you with a €150 credit limitCyta, «Joining Cyta» (page as of 07.11.2026), for EU and non-EU citizens «Without permanent residence in the Republic of Cyprus»: an EU ID card or passport «& Accept €150 credit limit terms». The operator's rule, not the law's.

Show all conditions (14)

Epic asks for a refundable €160 deposit on 5 Gbps fibre without proof of permanent residenceEpic, terms of the «Epic Fiber 5Gbps – 6 months free» offer (applications 04.06–31.12.2026), item 4: without proof of permanent residence «you must provide a guarantee payment of €160», returned when the service ends and all amounts are paid; item 5: without the deposit, a plan without a landline.
the default data roaming limit is up to €50 a month excluding VATRegulation (EU) 2022/612, art. 14(4): the default limit «shall be close to, but not exceed, EUR 50 of outstanding charges per monthly billing period, excluding VAT»; art. 4(1): no surcharge on domestic prices in EU countries.
you get a warning at 80% of the limitRegulation (EU) 2022/612, art. 14(4): the operator sends a notification «when the data roaming services have reached 80 % of the agreed financial or volume limit»; at the limit data stops until the customer confirms they want to continue.
people on low income pay no more than 50% of the tariffΚ.Δ.Π. 271/2026 (Official Gazette No. 6031, 19.6.2026), art. 6(1): for recipients of public assistance and the guaranteed minimum income, connection and monthly fee for a fixed phone and internet are at most «50% … (χωρίς ΦΠΑ)» of the universal provider's tariff; art. 6(6) — only for permanent residents of Cyprus.
people with a severe disability get it free plus 100 minutes of calls within Cyprus a monthΚ.Δ.Π. 271/2026, art. 6(1): for people with a permanent severe or total disability, connection and monthly fee are «Δωρεάν», internet is free on the cheapest plan, plus «Δωρεάν παροχή των πρώτων 100 λεπτών ομιλίας εθνικών κλήσεων μηνιαίως». Mobile service is not covered.
Cyta owes the special tariffs as universal service provider until 31 December 2026Α.Δ.Π. 03/2024: ΑΤΗΚ (Cyta) is the universal service provider «από την 01/01/2024 μέχρι την 31η Δεκεμβρίου 2026». The special tariffs of Κ.Δ.Π. 271/2026 are owed by that provider.

To switch operator you do not need to go to the old one: you apply to the new one, the old contract ends by itself, and the number moves free of charge

What that means for you:

the new operator arranges the transfer with the old one; if you ask the old operator about porting, it must refer you to the new one
bring an ID card (Cypriot and EU citizens) or a passport and one of the last three bills for that number; for prepaid, the porting code, which comes by SMS
you are not charged for the transfer itself
you are without service for no more than 1 working day; if the transfer fails, the old operator must restore your connection
if the commitment period of the old contract has not ended, there may be an early exit fee — its amount is in the contract summary
a debt to the old operator is not a reason to refuse the transfer

Whether Cyta counts your yellow slip or temporary permit as permanent residence

Cyta names MEU3, the Immigration Permit and UKW3 as permanent residence and does not mention the yellow slip MEU1 or a temporary permit. Ask in a Cyta shop or on 132 before you accept a credit limit: the answer decides whether you get one.

Which document Epic accepts as proof of permanent residence

Epic asks for proof of permanent residence to waive the fibre deposit but does not say which document counts. Ask in an Epic shop or on 136 whether your residence permit will do before you sign.

Whether your building has fibre and when the installer comes

Which network reaches your address — fibre, copper or cable — the operator determines with an address check before the contract, and Cyta and Epic do not publish installation times. Check the address on the operator's website and ask for the installation date before signing; where there is no fibre, operators offer a 4G or 5G home router.

Sources

Regulatory Decision Κ.Δ.Π. 189/2025 on end-user rights in electronic communicationsocecpr.ee.cyContract length and leaving it (art. 5), switching and porting (art. 10), contract summary (art. 7), complaints (arts 39–42).
Regulatory Decision Κ.Δ.Π. 5/2024 on number portabilityocecpr.ee.cyDocuments for porting, the porting code and how long it is valid, deadlines between operators.
Law Ν.63(Ι)/2024 on identifying holders of prepaid SIM and eSIM cardswww.cylaw.orgWhich documents are accepted, who may register a SIM, cut-off of unregistered SIMs.
Regulations Κ.Δ.Π. 297/2025 — procedure for identifying prepaid SIM holdersocecpr.ee.cyOnline identification by uploading the document, and when a shop visit is needed.
Regulatory Decision Κ.Δ.Π. 271/2026 on special tariffsocecpr.ee.cyWho qualifies, which certificates are needed, what a fixed phone and internet cost.
Decision Α.Δ.Π. 03/2024 — Cyta as universal service provider for 2024–2026ocecpr.ee.cyDesignation period — until 31.12.2026.
Law Ν.24(Ι)/2022 on the regulation of electronic communicationswww.cylaw.orgThe telecoms law in force; OCECPR as the out-of-court dispute body (art. 40).
Regulation (EU) 2022/612 on roamingeur-lex.europa.euRoaming in the EU at home prices (art. 4), fair use (art. 5), the €50 limit and the 80% warning (art. 14).
OCECPR — how to file a complaintocecpr.ee.cyFirst to the operator in writing, then the regulator's form with the correspondence; damages only through the courts.
cyCompare — comparing telecom pricescycompare.ee.cyMobile and fixed telephony, broadband, bundles with TV; operators enter the data themselves, so check the terms with the operator.
OCECPR — consumer tools: CyAtlas and cyNettestocecpr.ee.cyCoverage map for fixed and mobile broadband; the official speed test.
Cyta — documents for a new customerwww.cyta.com.cyWith and without permanent residence; remote identification; what you need to port a number.
Cyta — soeasy prepaid identificationwww.cyta.com.cyOnline with an ID card or passport; non-EU citizens without a passport — in a Cyta shop.
Epic — home fibre: documents and depositwww.epic.com.cyID card or passport and proof of address; terms of the 5 Gbps offer with a €160 deposit without proof of permanent residence.
Cablenet — home internetcablenet.com.cyWhat you need to subscribe: proof of address and an identity document.