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More and more parents in Cyprus are turning to private schools, but the price tag is steep, and in some cases, staggering, according to an article by Kathimerini's Hector Gerogiou.
According to the Ministry of Education’s latest data for the 2025-2026 school year, tuition fees across the island vary wildly depending on the city, the school, and the grade level. Add in the extras, such as registration fees, books, and uniforms, and costs can climb well beyond what many middle-income families earn in a year.
Cyprus currently has 275 private schools: 194 kindergartens, 42 primary schools, and 39 secondary schools. Nicosia hosts the largest number, while Limassol tops the charts as the most expensive city, especially when it comes to preschool and high school education.
Kindergartens: From €1,800 to €12,600 a year
The price differences in private kindergartens are especially eye-catching. Parents in Larnaca can pay as little as €150 per month (€1,800 a year), while in Limassol fees can reach up to €12,600 per year. On average, Limassol parents are paying the highest yearly bill at €4,539, followed by Nicosia (€3,919), Paphos (€3,654), Larnaca (€3,132), and Famagusta, the cheapest district, at €2,835 per year.
Analysts say Limassol’s boom in recent years, fueled by higher salaries, foreign residents, and a growing expat market, has pushed up costs, especially for schools catering to families with more spending power.
Nationwide, the average kindergarten fee is about €4,000 per year. In terms of numbers, Nicosia has the lion’s share with 92 kindergartens, followed by Limassol (60), Larnaca (31), Paphos (7), and Famagusta (4).
Primary schools: From €2,350 to nearly €60,000
When it comes to elementary school, the tuition gap grows even wider. In Limassol, the cheapest six-year program costs just €2,350 total, while the priciest primary school in the country charges nearly €60,000 for all six grades.
On average, Paphos comes out on top, with families there expected to pay around €39,000 in total over six years. Larnaca follows with €37,000, then Famagusta (€31,000), Nicosia (€26,000), and Limassol (€25,000). Across the island, the average is roughly €30,000 for six years of private primary education.
But tuition isn’t the only bill; parents also have to cover extras like books and uniforms, which differ from school to school.
High school: Up to €133,000 for seven years
Secondary school is where the costs skyrocket. For seven years of private middle and high school, tuition can range from around €20,000 at the low end to €133,000 at the high end.
Limassol once again claims both the cheapest and the most expensive options. On average, families across Cyprus pay about €52,000 for a full seven years of secondary education.
Unlike public schools, which run six grades, most private high schools in Cyprus operate on a seven-grade system, with tuition fees jumping significantly from the fourth year onward. Many schools also offer international programs like A-levels, which are key for university admissions abroad, another factor driving up costs.
There are 14 private secondary schools in Nicosia, 16 in Limassol, 3 in Larnaca, 2 in Famagusta, and 4 in Paphos.
Rising demand despite rising prices
This year’s fees show small increases compared to last year, but the appetite for private education is growing. Many families are willing to shoulder the costs for smaller class sizes, international programs, and more extracurricular opportunities.
Still, the numbers are sobering: on average, parents can expect to spend around €4,000 a year for kindergarten, €5,000 for primary school, and €7,500 for high school.
For some, it’s a financial stretch. For others, it’s the price they’re willing to pay to secure what they see as the best education for their children.
