How to use your phone and roaming cheaply in Cyprus?

Have you ever visited Cyprus? If you haven’t, then you probably should. 

Cyprus is known for its beautiful sun-kissed beaches and harbors that exude traditional charm. The island nation sees a healthy number of visitors, roughly 4 million per year. Cyprus is also the 40th most popular destination in the world. 

There are many things someone who’s visiting Cyprus will need. 

A mobile connection in Cyprus is one of them. 

Because with a mobile connection, a tourist gets access to cheap internet in Cyprus (or sometimes free!), making their stay a lot more pleasant. 

Not just tourists, even digital nomads who plan to stay for a while will find a phone connection compatible with a Cyprus mobile network quite useful for their tasks. 

The sections below dive deeper into this concept. It answers some common questions anyone visiting Cyprus may have regarding cheap mobile internet or phone calls, how the concept of roaming works, and a lot more. Continue reading!  

Can I Actually Get Cheap Internet in Cyprus? 

Yes, you can! 

Thanks to its influx of tourists and the fact that it’s a part of the EU (more on that later), many mobile operators, both local and international, provide mobile plans at extremely attractive prices. 

So what can you do with cheap mobile internet in Cyprus? 

Assume you have 5 GB of data. Here’s a rough estimate of all the possible things you can do. 

With that out of the way, let’s discuss the importance of understanding roaming in Cyprus. 

Factors Influencing Roaming in Cyprus 

Geographically, Cyprus is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea, with part of it falling in West Asia. But politically, Cyprus is split into two: the Southern Republic of Cyprus, populated by Greek Cypriots, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), home of the Turkish Cypriots. 

And here comes the tricky part. 

The Southern Republic of Cyprus is part of the EU, while the TRNC is not. 

This means that any mobile plan you buy in the EU, say the Lyca Mobile To All L or To All M, which has dedicated roaming data, will be functional in Southern Cyprus. This is because of the EU’s Roam-Like-at-Home regulations. 

But this is not the case with the TRNC. Any data used or call made will be considered roaming in Northern Cyprus, meaning you will be charged double. 

So, if you’re visiting the seaside resort of Ayia Napa or Larnaca, the two plans above will easily carry you through your trip. However, if your travels take you to Bellapais Abbey, Alagadi Beach, or Kyrenia Harbor, you’ll have to be wary of excessive roaming charges. 

How Tourists Can Get Cheap Mobile Internet in Cyprus 

The answer to this question is quite simple! 

Just purchase one of the two Lyca Mobile plans mentioned above, and you’re all set. In addition to mobile internet, you also get extra benefits like cheap phone calls in Cyprus, a free eSIM upgrade, and lots more. 

These Lyca Mobile Poland plans allow you to use all cellular services in Southern Cyprus, as the country is part of the EU’s Roam-Like-at-Home regulations. Mobile networks in Southern Cyprus have to abide by these rules. You can use data as usual without fear of excessive roaming charges.  

Northern Cyprus, on the other hand, is a completely different story. Roaming charges apply, and cellular services, like data, incoming/outgoing calls, and outgoing text messages, will incur higher-than-usual charges. A good way to counter this is to rely on public Wi-Fi for your data needs. You can use apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, which allow you to make voice and video calls using mobile data. 

You could also consider getting a local SIM card in Northern Cyprus so that you have a mobile connection during your stay there. 

Physical Prepaid SIM Card vs eSIM in Cyprus: Which One Should You Choose? 

Okay, now this is a tricky question. 

The general recommendation would be to always go with an eSIM in Cyprus. Short for an Embedded Subscriber Identity Module, an eSIM is an upgrade to the traditional SIM card. It is 100% digital and can be activated from anywhere. An eSIM is also comparatively secure. Lyca Mobile Poland gives you a free eSIM with every purchase of one of its prepaid plans. 

The only downside to an eSIM is compatibility. Not all smartphones support eSIM. Consider checking your device for compatibility before purchasing an eSIM plan for Cyprus. 

A physical SIM card is the norm. All devices support physical SIM cards, so compatibility isn’t an issue. 

However, getting one might be a bit of a hassle. You will have to visit an offline store to immediately get a physical SIM card. Even if you order one from your place of residence, there will be a waiting period for the physical SIM card to arrive. 

So here’s the verdict. eSIMs are the way to go. If you have a compatible device, get an eSIM for your Cyprus trip. 

Common Questions Related to Roaming in Cyprus 

Now that you have some clarity on cheap mobile internet and phone calls in Cyprus, let’s take a look at some of the common questions that people visiting Cyprus may have. These questions apply to everyone, whether you’re a tourist, a professional looking to spend a month working in Cyprus, or a student who’s visiting the island nation as a group. 

How expensive is roaming in Cyprus? 

The regions in Cyprus come into play when estimating roaming charges in Cyprus. Southern Cyprus is part of the EU, so you will not be paying anything if you have a mobile plan with EU roaming benefits. As for Northern Cyprus, you might be charged up to $3 for outgoing calls, $1 for incoming calls, $0.50 for text messages, and up to $4 per MB of data. 

How can I get cheap mobile internet in Cyprus? 

There are two ways you can get cheap mobile internet in Cyprus. 

• Get a Lyca Mobile Poland prepaid plan. Almost all plans include benefits for EU roaming. 
• Get a prepaid SIM or eSIM after you land in Cyprus. 

Note that even if you get a local SIM card in Southern Cyprus, you will still incur roaming charges when you visit Northern Cyprus. 

Should I get an eSIM for Cyprus or rely on public Wi-Fi? 

If you have a compatible device, you should always get an eSIM for your Cyprus trip. The data from the eSIM can also be used to make calls in Cyprus. 

Consider public Wi-Fi if you’re visiting Northern Cyprus. Since the EU’s roaming regulations don’t apply here, you will run into huge roaming charges if you don’t have a Turkish SIM card. 

Do Cyprus’ mobile networks follow EU roaming regulations? 

Yes and no. 

The southern part of Cyprus is part of the EU. As a result, the EU’s Roam-Like-at-Home regulations are valid here. The northern part of Cyprus, the TRNC, is part of Turkey, which is not a member of the EU. 

You will not incur any additional roaming charges as long as you have a prepaid plan with EU roaming benefits and are staying in Southern Cyprus. 

How to make cheap phone calls in Cyprus? 

Making cheap phone calls in Cyrus is relatively easy. If your plan includes call, text, and data benefits for the EU, then you will be able to use these benefits in Southern Cyprus as well, thanks to the EU’s roaming regulations. If you’re visiting Northern Cyprus, then it is recommended to use public Wi-Fi to make calls using VoIP apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. 

Final Thoughts about cheap calls and roaming in Cyprus

Cyprus is a lovely place to make plenty of memories. From lovely beaches to iconic dishes like Halloumi, Souvla, and Sheftalia, Cyprus offers an experience like no other. 

A mobile plan might be one of the more complicated aspects of visiting Cyprus. The South and North divide might be confusing to some. But with the right precaution, your trip to this island nation could be quite an enjoyable one. 

Get a prepaid SIM card or eSIM from Lyca Mobile before your Cyprus trip. It will serve you well, as most prepaid plans include EU roaming benefits. You also get up to a 70% discount on select plans, so you’re getting one of the best deals there ever is. 

Don’t forget to get an eSIM for Cyprus before you leave. You can enjoy phone calls, cheap internet in Cyprus, and lots more! Get a Lyca Mobile prepaid plan and beat the roaming charges in Cyprus.