Stay Connected With Loved Ones From Cyprus

Published on October 3, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Moving to Cyprus to start a new adventure is a rewarding experience, but it’s natural to want to stay connected with family and friends back home. Fortunately, with modern technology, maintaining these precious bonds has never been easier. Discover how to stay effectively connected from this Mediterranean island, from the best internet service providers to the most efficient communication tools.

Guaranteed Connection: Major Internet Service Providers in Cyprus

In Cyprus, several operators compete in the telecommunications market, offering a variety of options to meet the needs of residents and expatriates. Among the major players are:

CYTA (Cyprus Telecommunications Authority): The historical market leader, CYTA offers reliable and high-performance broadband internet packages. With extensive coverage across the entire island, this public operator provides speeds of up to 1 Gbps in some urban areas. Expatriates particularly appreciate the quality of service and customer support available in English.

Epic (formerly MTN): This private operator stands out for its competitive offers and its continuously expanding 4G/5G network. Epic offers fixed and mobile internet packages tailored to the needs of expatriates, with flexible and commitment-free options. Their mobile app allows for easy management of your account and services.

Primetel: The third major player in the market, Primetel distinguishes itself through its attractive bundled offers combining internet, fixed and mobile telephony, and television. Their rapidly growing fiber optic network provides high speeds in the island’s main cities. Expatriates appreciate their commitment-free packages and the ability to subscribe entirely online.

When choosing your provider, consider several essential factors:

• Coverage in your residential area
• Offered speeds and connection stability
• Included television and telephony options
• Contract flexibility (with or without commitment)
• Customer service and its availability in English

Don’t hesitate to compare offers and ask for opinions from other already settled expatriates to make the best choice. Most operators offer special deals for new customers, take advantage of them!

Communication Without Borders: Authorized and Popular Tools in Cyprus

Cyprus, as a member of the European Union, benefits from a regulatory framework favorable to the use of modern communication technologies. Unlike some countries where access to certain applications may be restricted, expatriates in Cyprus have the freedom to use a wide range of tools to stay in touch with their loved ones.

Instant Messaging Apps: WhatsApp remains the most popular messaging app in Cyprus, widely used by both locals and expatriates. Its user-friendly interface, group features, and the ability to make voice and video calls make it a preferred choice. Telegram is also gaining popularity, especially for its advanced privacy features and news channels.

Video Calling Platforms: Zoom and Skype remain reliable options for group video calls or remote professional meetings. Google Meet, integrated into the Google Workspace suite, is also widely used, especially in professional settings. These platforms offer excellent image and sound quality, even with an average internet connection.

Social Networks: Facebook and Instagram remain popular ways to share life moments and maintain a visual connection with loved ones. The “Stories” feature allows for instantly sharing glimpses of your daily life in Cyprus. LinkedIn is essential for maintaining your professional network and exploring local opportunities.

Photo and Video Sharing Apps: Google Photos offers a practical solution for automatically backing up your photos and easily sharing them with your family. For more creative sharing, TikTok is experiencing rapid growth in Cyprus, even among expatriates who use it to document their experience in a fun way.

Remote Collaboration Tools: For expatriates working remotely or collaborating with international teams, Microsoft Teams and Slack are widely adopted. These platforms enable smooth communication and efficient document sharing, essential for remote work.

It is important to note that the use of these tools in Cyprus is subject to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This ensures a high level of protection for your personal data, but also implies that you must be vigilant about the privacy settings you choose.

To optimize your communication experience:

• Ensure you have a stable and fast internet connection
• Use a VPN for enhanced security, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks
• Sync your contacts between your different devices for maximum accessibility
• Explore the advanced features of each application to enrich your interactions

Optimizing Your Connection: Tips for Smooth Communication

To get the most out of the communication tools available in Cyprus, a few tips can greatly improve your experience:

Choosing the Right Mobile Plan: Cypriot operators offer mobile plans tailored to the needs of expatriates. Epic and CYTA offer plans with generous 4G/5G data and included international calls. Opt for a plan that includes enough data for your video calls and browsing, especially if you travel frequently around the island.

Using Public Wi-Fi with Caution: Cyprus has a growing network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in public spaces, cafes, and restaurants. While convenient, these networks can pose security risks. Using a reliable VPN is strongly recommended to protect your data when using these networks.

Optimizing Your Home Connection: For a stable home connection, invest in a good Wi-Fi router. Mesh models are particularly effective for covering large areas or multi-story houses, common in Cyprus. Position your router strategically to maximize coverage.

Utilizing Data Saving Features: Most communication apps offer options to reduce data consumption. Enable these features to optimize your usage, especially if you have a limited plan or while traveling.

Scheduling Your Calls Considering the Time Difference: Cyprus is 1 to 2 hours ahead of mainland France depending on the season. Use apps like World Time Buddy to easily schedule calls with your loved ones in different time zones.

Creating Communication Routines: Establish regular communication habits with your loved ones. For example, a weekly video call on Sunday evening can become a valuable family ritual, helping you maintain strong bonds despite the distance.

Diversifying Your Communication Methods: Don’t limit yourself to a single tool. Combine text messages, voice calls, videos, and photo sharing to vary your interactions and make them richer and more personal.

• Use WhatsApp for quick daily messages
• Opt for Zoom or Skype for virtual family gatherings
• Share your daily life via Instagram Stories
• Send personalized digital postcards via apps like Touchnote for a nostalgic touch

Staying Informed About Technological Developments: The digital landscape in Cyprus is evolving rapidly. Follow local tech news to stay updated on new offers, network improvements, and new popular apps. Facebook groups for expatriates in Cyprus are often a good source of information and advice on this subject.

Overcoming Challenges: Solutions to Common Communication Problems

Despite the many options available, expatriates in Cyprus may sometimes face challenges in communicating with their loved ones. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Unstable Internet Connection: If you frequently experience connection issues, consider switching to a higher-performance internet plan. CYTA and Primetel offer fiber optic options in many urban areas, providing speeds of up to 1 Gbps. For rural areas, Epic’s 4G/5G solutions can be a reliable alternative.

Solution: Regularly perform speed tests (speedtest.net is a reliable tool) and contact your provider if performance is below what was promised. Don’t hesitate to compare offers and switch operators if necessary.

High Costs of International Calls: Although Cyprus is part of the EU, calls to non-EU countries can be expensive with standard mobile plans.

Solution: Use VoIP applications like Skype or WhatsApp for your international calls. For calls to landlines, services like Rebtel or Viber Out offer competitive rates. Also check the international call options offered by your Cypriot mobile operator.

Difficulties with Group Video Calls: Group video calls can be bandwidth-intensive, leading to quality issues.

Solution: Reduce the video quality in the app settings to improve stability. Zoom and Google Meet offer options to optimize quality based on your connection. Prefer Wi-Fi for these calls and close background applications to free up bandwidth.

Privacy and Security Concerns: Heavy use of online tools can raise concerns about the protection of personal data.

Solution: Use a reliable VPN, especially on public networks. Regularly update your applications and operating systems. Enable two-factor authentication on all your important accounts. For enhanced security, apps like Signal offer end-to-end encryption for your sensitive communications.

Time Difference and Scheduling Difficulties: Coordinating calls with loved ones in different time zones can be challenging.

Solution: Use apps like TimeAndDate or World Time Buddy to easily visualize compatible schedules. Create shared events in Google Calendar or Apple Calendar to facilitate planning. Remember to account for daylight saving time changes which can affect the time difference.

Language Barrier in App Settings: Some expatriates may find it difficult to navigate app settings in Greek.

Solution: Most popular apps offer an English language option. Look for the settings icon (often represented by a gear) and search for “Language” or “Γλώσσα” to change the language. For local applications, don’t hesitate to ask for help on expatriate forums or from your Cypriot colleagues.

Maintaining Emotional Bonds at a Distance: Beyond technical aspects, maintaining strong emotional connections can be a challenge.

Solution: Diversify your interactions. Use apps like Marco Polo to send asynchronous video messages, allowing for more personal exchanges without the pressure of a live call. Participate in online activities together, such as watching a movie simultaneously with Netflix Party or playing online games. Regularly send photos of your daily life to share your new life.

Staying Connected Beyond Digital: Maintaining Strong Bonds with Your Loved Ones

Although digital tools are essential for communicating at a distance, it’s important not to overlook more traditional and personal ways of staying in touch with your loved ones. Here are some ideas to enrich your interactions and strengthen your family and friendship bonds from Cyprus:

Sending Personalized Packages and Letters: The Cypriot postal service (Cyprus Post) offers reliable options for sending and receiving international packages. Surprise your loved ones with typical local products from Cyprus, such as olive oil, halloumi (local cheese), or artisanal souvenirs. Regularly sending handwritten postcards can also add a personal and nostalgic touch to your communications.

Creating a Family Blog or Newsletter: Use platforms like WordPress or Substack to create a regular blog or newsletter. Share your experiences, photos of your new life in Cyprus, and anecdotes about the local culture. It’s an excellent way to keep your loved ones informed in a more detailed and thoughtful manner than through simple instant messages.

Organizing “Virtual Trips” to Cyprus: Use augmented reality apps or virtual tours to introduce Cyprus to your family. For example, organize a live guided tour of the ancient ruins of Paphos via a video call, or share a live cooking session to prepare a traditional Cypriot dish together.

Participating in Common Online Events: Take advantage of the many online events to share experiences with your loved ones. Sign up for an online course together, participate in a virtual quiz, or join a remote book club. These shared activities create conversation topics and common experiences despite the distance.

Creating a Shared Photo Album: Use apps like Google Photos or iCloud Shared Albums to create a collaborative photo album. Encourage all family members to contribute regularly, thus creating a visual chronicle of your respective lives.

Planning Regular “Appointments”: Beyond spontaneous calls, establish regular appointments for specific activities. For example, a monthly “virtual dinner” where everyone prepares a meal and eats together via video, or a weekly family online gaming session.

Celebrating Special Occasions from a Distance: Don’t let distance prevent you from celebrating important moments. For birthdays or holidays, organize remote surprises, such as having a cake or gift delivered, or organizing a virtual party with all loved ones.

Learning the Greek Language Together: Suggest that your loved ones learn a few Greek words with you. Use apps like Duolingo or Babbel for a fun and shared learning experience, thus creating a new connection around your Cypriot experience.

Creating a Long-Term Creative Project: Launch a long-term family creative project, such as collaborative story writing, creating an amateur music album, or making a documentary about your expatriation experience. Tools like Google Docs or Trello can facilitate remote collaboration.

Maintaining Family Traditions: Adapt your family traditions to the distance. If you used to gather for certain occasions, find creative ways to maintain these traditions virtually. For example, for Christmas, open your gifts together via video, or organize a remote decoration contest.

By combining these more personal approaches with digital communication tools, you’ll create a rich and varied network of connections with your loved ones. This will not only help you maintain strong bonds but also share your new life in Cyprus more deeply, while remaining involved in the lives of those dear to you.

Conclusion: Staying Connected, a Key to Successful Expatriation in Cyprus

Expatriating to Cyprus offers a unique opportunity to live a Mediterranean experience rich in culture and natural beauty. However, maintaining strong bonds with your loved ones back home is essential for your emotional well-being and successful adaptation to your new life.

Thanks to Cyprus’s modern telecommunication infrastructure and the variety of available communication tools, staying in touch has never been easier. Whether through regular video calls, sharing on social networks, or remote creative projects, you have at your disposal a multitude of ways to share your daily life and remain involved in the lives of your loved ones.

Remember that the quality of communication is more important than the quantity. Prioritize meaningful and varied interactions, combining digital tools with more personal gestures like sending packages or organizing shared virtual events. This balanced approach will allow you to fully enjoy your new life in Cyprus while maintaining strong connections with your home country.

Finally, don’t hesitate to involve your loved ones in your discovery of Cyprus. Share with them the richness of Cypriot culture, its traditions, cuisine, and magnificent landscapes. Not only will this enrich your exchanges, but it might also inspire them to visit you, creating opportunities for in-person reunions on this beautiful island.

Your expatriation to Cyprus is an exciting adventure. With the right tools and a creative approach to communication, you can fully live this experience while remaining deeply connected to those dear to you, wherever they are in the world.