Cyprus (CY)
Cyprus is a Mediterranean island nation and EU member state situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa.
Learning the Language in Cyprus
Courses, certifications, funding, and online resources to reach fluency.
Greek is the official language of the Republic of Cyprus and spoken by approximately 80% of the population. However, English is so widely spoken and used in government, business and daily life that many expats live comfortably in Cyprus without learning Greek. That said, learning even basic Greek dramatically enriches the experience of living here, earns deep appreciation from locals, and is required for citizenship. Cypriot Greek dialect differs from Standard Modern Greek but they are mutually intelligible.
Greek Language Courses for Adult Foreigners
All legal residents. Not mandatory for any residency status — no mandatory integration course requirement exists in Cyprus.
€150–400 per semester at AKEPE. Private language schools: €250–600 per course.
80–120 hours per level (typically one semester).
Certificate of completion. Language progress from A1 through to B2+ levels.
Contact AKEPE (Adult Education Centre of Cyprus — Κέντρο Εκπαίδευσης Ενηλίκων Κύπρου) or private language schools in your city.
AKEPE Greek Language Courses
The Adult Education Centre of Cyprus (AKEPE) offers Greek language courses for foreign residents at subsidised rates across all districts.
All legal residents. Special programmes for migrant workers and refugees.
€150–300 per semester (subsidised)
Apply at your local AKEPE centre. Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos all have AKEPE offices. Courses typically start in October and February.
Language Levels — What Each Means
Greetings, numbers, basic shopping, days and months.
Required for: None officially — but basic courtesy in daily interactions.
Simple conversations about daily life, ordering food, asking directions.
Required for: Navigating local shops, tavernas, and casual interactions more effectively.
Independent communication on familiar topics. Can handle most daily situations.
Required for: Citizenship naturalisation requirement. Government office interactions.
Fluent communication on a wide range of topics.
Required for: Academic studies in Greek. Professional roles requiring Greek.
Near-native proficiency. Can work professionally in Greek.
Required for: Legal profession, teaching, journalism in Greek.
Courses & Community Learning
Language Exchange Partners
FreeMatch with a native Greek speaker who wants to practise English/your language. Both parties benefit.
www.tandem.net ↗University of Cyprus Language Centre
€100–300 per courseLanguage courses (Greek, English, French, German, Spanish) for enrolled students and sometimes community members.
Private Tutors
€15–30/hourPrivate one-to-one Greek tuition. Highly effective for fast progress. Available in all cities.
Berlitz Language School Cyprus
€400–800 per courseInternational language school with courses in Greek and English across multiple levels.
www.berlitz.com/en-cy ↗Official Certifications
| Certificate | Provider | Levels | When Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KPG (Κρατικό Πιστοποιητικό Γλωσσομάθειας) | Greek Ministry of Education | A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 | Required for Cyprus citizenship naturalisation (B1 level minimum). Recognised by Cypriot government for professional and educational purposes. | €25–50 per exam level |
| CEFR Certificate from AKEPE | AKEPE — Adult Education Centre of Cyprus | A1–B2 | Evidence of language learning for residency extensions or employment applications. | €20–40 |
Online Resources
Duolingo (Greek)
FreeFree app for learning Greek vocabulary and grammar. Good for beginners. Note: teaches Standard Greek, not Cypriot dialect.
www.duolingo.com ↗Pimsleur Greek
PaidAudio-based Greek learning focused on spoken conversation. Very effective for pronunciation.
www.pimsleur.com ↗Memrise (Greek)
FreeVocabulary-focused app with spaced repetition. Free tier available.
www.memrise.com ↗GreekPod101
PaidPodcast-style audio lessons for Greek learners at all levels.
www.greekpod101.com ↗YouTube — Alpha Teach Greek
FreeFree YouTube channel for learning Modern Greek from scratch.
Babbel (Greek)
PaidStructured online course for Greek. More grammar-focused than Duolingo.
www.babbel.com ↗Funding Your Language Courses
No state funding specifically for Greek language learning by expats. AKEPE charges subsidised rates. EU-funded programmes occasionally provide free language training. Employers may fund Greek courses as part of relocation packages — negotiate this when joining a company.
Practical Tips
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The Cypriot dialect (Κυπριακή διάλεκτος) differs from Standard Greek in vocabulary and pronunciation. Don't be alarmed if you studied Standard Greek and struggle with the local dialect — Cypriots understand Standard Greek perfectly and will switch for you.
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Learning Greek script (alphabet) is the first step and takes only a few days — many words then become recognisable.
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Cypriots are extraordinarily appreciative of any attempt at Greek. Even a "yia sas" and "efcharisto" will earn you warm smiles.
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Greek coffee culture means you will spend hours in kafeneia — excellent immersion practice.
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Watch Greek TV series with subtitles — a surprisingly effective and enjoyable learning method.
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Attend an Orthodox church service even once for cultural immersion — the liturgical Greek and atmosphere are memorable.
Language Learning
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