Moving to Cyprus with children: schools, enrolment, health cover and benefits

Before the details, the order that works: choose public or private school first, then the area, because public pupils go to the school of the area where they live; apply to private schools before you sign a lease; bring birth certificates with apostille and translation, the vaccination record and school reports (see documents before moving); and file a permit for each child, since every family member has their own application (see family permits).

Pre-primary: under the Compulsory Education Law, pre-primary education is compulsory from 4 years and 4 months for the 2026-2027 school year. Public pre-primary schools may also take children who turn 3 before 1 September, if they have places. Primary lasts six years and starts if the child turns 6 before 1 September. Secondary has two three-year cycles, the gymnasium and the lyceum, with a technical and vocational option; schooling is compulsory up to age 15.

Public schools are free and teach in Greek. Private schools teach mainly in English, with some Russian-, French- and Greek-language schools; they follow British (IGCSE and A Levels), IB or American programmes. Whatever you choose, think ahead about university: ask each school which leaving qualifications it offers.

Registration for primary grades 1–6 and compulsory pre-primary is held in January, online and/or in person. For a first registration you fill in form YPAN DDE 11 and bring:

• the birth certificate, or for a child born abroad the Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) or another official document from the country of birth; copies must be certified;
• two proofs of address: a refuse bill and a recent electricity bill, or the lease with the electricity bill if you rent;
• a copy of the page of the health booklet or vaccination card that shows the vaccinations;
• for grade 1, a leaving certificate from an approved pre-primary school.

After January, head teachers cannot enrol more pupils: you apply to the District Education Office for a late registration or transfer. If you arrive mid-year, do this as soon as you have an address.

Most families relocating from abroad choose an English-language private school. The Ministry of Education's lists show where they are: Limassol district has 16 approved private secondary schools (11 teaching in English) and 20 private primary schools; Nicosia has 15 and 14; Paphos and Larnaca have 4 and 3 secondary schools, all in English.

• Limassol: British-style IGCSE and A Levels (for example Heritage, the American Academy Limassol, Silverline), the IB Diploma (the Island Private School, schools in the Trinity and Pascal groups) and Russian-language schools.
• Nicosia: The English School, which admits by entrance examination and offers scholarships, the International School of Nicosia, the American International School and others.
• Paphos: the International School of Paphos, Aspire, The Learning Centre in Peyia (IGCSE and A Levels) and Lumio.
• Larnaca: the American Academy Larnaca, Med High and Pascal Larnaca.

Few schools publish fees; most give them on request or at interview. Expect an application or registration fee on top. Ask for places as soon as you know the city: popular Limassol schools have waiting lists, and with only three private secondary schools in Larnaca district, apply early there too. Programmes change, so check each school's current offer.

The Ministry of Education asks for the vaccination record at registration. It lists diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP or DTaP), polio, MMR, hepatitis B and meningococcal C, with Hib and pneumococcal (PCV) recommended by age 5. Bring the record translated if it is not in Greek or English.

Children are GESY beneficiaries as dependants of a beneficiary who lives in Cyprus, for example a parent who works here. Children under 15 are registered with a personal doctor for children; from 15 to 18 they can choose a children's or an adult doctor. A child on a visitor permit is not covered by GESY and needs their own private policy with inpatient and outpatient care and transportation of remains (Plan A). See health insurance for a residence permit.

Day nurseries for the youngest children fall under a different ministry from schools and charge fees. Public kindergartens may take children from age 3 if they have places, and community kindergartens are another option; applications for ages 3 to 4 years 4 months are usually made in January. The Ministry's October 2026 list of approved private kindergartens has 93 in Nicosia district, 62 in Limassol, 32 in Larnaca, 7 in Paphos and 4 in Famagusta. In September 2026 the government announced that a tuition subsidy for children up to 4 years 4 months would reach about 2,000 more families.

Child benefit depends on family income and assets. The income limits reported in September 2026 are €49,000 a year for one child, €59,000 for two, €64,000 for three and €69,000 for four, with no limit from five children. A reform announced then would raise them to €69,000, €74,000, €90,000 and €100,000 from 2027, if parliament approves. Newcomers should not count on it in the first years: the government's 2018 description of the scheme requires at least five years of legal and continuous residence before applying. Check the current rule before you plan around it.

We plan the move around the school calendar, shortlist schools and nurseries near your rental and help with registration. Comparing cities? See Limassol vs Paphos vs Larnaca vs Nicosia.