Expat Car Rental in Paphos
Moving to Paphos comes with a long list of jobs: finding a home, opening an account, registering, schooling, and working out how you will get around. Public transport will not take you everywhere, and buying a car in your first weeks is a big decision to make before you know the roads. Many newcomers rent first. This guide explains how CHMI Rentals helps expats and new residents with a car while they settle in, from a few weeks to a monthly plan to a lease, and what to have ready. CHMI Rentals has served Paphos for over 23 years from Tombs of the Kings Avenue.
Why Rent Before You Buy
- You learn the area first. Where you live, work and shop decides whether you need a small car or an SUV.
- No large purchase on day one. You keep your savings free while you set up your home.
- Servicing and road tax are handled. Monthly rental plans include vehicle maintenance, road tax and a replacement car when one is available.
- You can change your mind. A monthly rental is more flexible than a lease or a purchase.
A common route is to rent long-term first, learn the roads and neighbourhoods, and only then decide whether to lease or buy.
Three Ways to Have a Car
| Option | Best for | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Short rental, from 72 hours | Your first days or weeks, before you know how long you need a car | Short-term car hire |
| Monthly rental | Stays of a month or more, with maintenance, road tax and a replacement car when one is available | Long-term car rental |
| Lease, 3 to 36 months | Residents who know they need a car for a set period, at a fixed monthly figure | Car leasing |
Buying is the fourth option, once you are settled. See our sales and finance page, or our Japan car import service if you want a specific model.
What a Car Costs by the Month
These are the monthly rental prices from our price list, with the lowest lease figure for comparison. A lease is a fixed-term agreement, so choose it only when you know how long you will keep the car.
| Car | Monthly rental | Lease, 36 months |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Note (2020) | €450 | €300 |
| Suzuki Swift (2020) | €540 | €330 |
| Honda Fit (2020) | €650 | €420 |
| Toyota Vitz (2020) | €650 | €420 |
| Nissan X-Trail (2017) | €800 | €590 |
| Nissan X-Trail (2020) | €1,500 | €910 |
Leases include two free full services and one tyre change during the term, and the first 20,000 km, with extra distance at 75 cents per km. A refundable deposit applies: €500 on the compact cars and €900 on the X-Trail. Our calculator estimates the upfront payment as three monthly payments. Use the leasing calculator to try different terms.
Documents You Will Need
For a rental, including a monthly rental, the documents are simple.
- A valid driving licence. Drivers must be over 21, or have at least 3 years of driving experience.
- Your passport or ID card. Under our terms the passport is left as security while the car is in your care.
- Cash or a credit card. Debit cards are not accepted, and you do not need a credit card if you pay in cash. See renting without a credit card.
Expats, digital nomads and seasonal residents can arrange a monthly rental with simple documentation and without local credit checks. A lease is different: a basic credit eligibility check applies, and you bring proof of address and proof of steady income as well as your licence and passport or ID.
Your Driving Licence After You Move
EU and UK licences are generally accepted as they are for renting. Licences from other countries may need an International Driving Permit alongside the national licence. Once you become resident, the rules for how long you can drive on a foreign licence may be different from the rules for visitors, so check your own position with the Cyprus authorities early rather than late. We cannot give legal advice on licences, but we can tell you what we need to see at handover.
Delivery to Your New Home
When you rent with us, we deliver the car to your home, free of charge, in Paphos town (the city centre, Kato Paphos, Universal and Geroskipou), at Paphos Airport and in Chloraka, Kissonerga, Peyia, Coral Bay, Tala, Empa and Mesa Chorio. Please book 24 hours before. That covers the areas where many expats settle, including Peyia, Tala, Chloraka and Kissonerga, Empa and Mesa Chorio and Geroskipou. Further out, call the shop; delivery there has an extra charge. See car delivery to your door.
Choosing a Car for Everyday Life
- Living in town and driving alone or as a couple: a compact automatic keeps costs low and parking easy.
- Living in a hillside village: every passenger car we rent is an automatic, which helps on the climbs.
- A family with a school run and a weekly shop: the Nissan Note or Honda Fit, or the X-Trail for more room. See family car hire.
- Moving house: our Ford Transit cargo van is a manual with three seats and large cargo space.
Living With a Rental Car Month to Month
- Service and repairs: contact us if a warning light appears. Do not arrange your own repairs without asking.
- Parking: in Kato Paphos and the old town, look for marked bays or car parks. Unmarked kerbs often mean a fine.
- Fines: the renter pays traffic fines, so keep an eye on speed limits, which are in kilometres per hour.
- Fuel: return the car with the same fuel level you started with.
- Restrictions: off-road driving, the Akamas region and Northern Cyprus are not permitted at any time.
- Insurance: vehicles carry third-party insurance. Insurance options for monthly plans are described in your agreement. See our car rental insurance guide.
Ending or Changing Your Plan
Under our terms, a refund cannot be given if a car is returned before the agreed time, so choose your term with care. If you are unsure how long you will stay, start with a shorter period and extend it, subject to availability, rather than committing to a long term at the start. At the end of a lease you can return the car and move to a newer one, extend the lease, or buy the car at an agreed price.
Talk to Us
Tell us when you arrive, where you will live and how long you expect to need a car, and we will suggest the simplest route. Call or WhatsApp +357 99 655104 (office +357 26 819880), or visit us at Shop 3, Royal Complex, Tombs of the Kings Avenue, Paphos. The shop is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm.