Greek and Turkish are the official languages in Cyprus, divided between the south and the north. In addition, English a useful second language spoken by almost everyone, especially in tourist, business, and expat contexts.
Given the large international community, you can also find a lot of German and Russian speakers there.
In the southern official Republic of Cyprus, Modern Greek is the standard language for education, media and daily communication.
In informal situations, Cypriots use their own variety, known as Cypriot Greek, which is atmospherically different from the mainland Greek dialect.
We at Cyprus-Consult especially recommend that you visit the southern part of the island.
Since 1974, State Turkish has been the official language in Northern Cyprus. A local dialect also exists here: Cypriot Turkish. English is spoken in tourist areas but is less common outside of those contexts.
| Situation | Language / Languages |
|---|---|
| Formal communication | Greek & English (South) / Turkish & English (North) |
| Tourist zones | English + sometimes German, French, Russian |
| Local dialogue | Cypriot variants of Greek/Turkish |
| International exposition | Expats often use English |
A resounding yes: English is widely and well spoken in almost all major cities in Cyprus.
Relevant information
Any questions? Feel free to ask us!
The official language in Cyprus is Greek in the south, Turkish in the north, and English is spoken as a second language by almost everyone on the entire island.
In Cyprus, Greek is spoken as the official language in the southern, internationally recognized part. In the north, Turkish is the lingua franca. English is widespread throughout the island: virtually all Cypriots speak it fluently, a direct legacy of the British colonial period. English serves you perfectly well for daily life and doing business.
No, learning (Cypriot) Greek is not necessary, although it is appreciated.
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