A school bag can cost less than €2 or more than €200 this year. A pencil case may be purchased for a few cents or cost almost €46.
As families prepare for the new academic year, a survey by the Cyprus Consumers Association shows that while prices have generally remained close to last year's levels, the range between the cheapest and most expensive products remains wide.
The findings suggest that the cost of returning to school depends not only on what students need, but also on what individual households can afford.
School bags from €1.89 to €209.95
The survey, covering ten businesses across Cyprus, found substantial price variations across most school supply categories.
School bags showed the widest range, with prices varying from €1.89 to €209.95, depending on size, design and brand.
Other price ranges included:
- Pencil cases: €0.48 to €45.55
- Pencils, pens and markers: €0.20 to €18.99
- Notebooks: €0.32 to €12.99
- Document folders: €0.19 to €8.48
For school clothing, prices ranged between:
- T-shirts and shirts: €3.99 to €48
- Trousers: €12 to €27
- Skirts: €11.50 to €25
Prices largely unchanged
Comparison with 2025 does not indicate a widespread rise in prices.
The survey used the same retailers as last year's study, with the Consumers Association concluding that prices have remained broadly stable despite individual increases and decreases.
The most expensive school bag remains priced at €209.95, unchanged from last year, while the cheapest option fell from €4.99 to €1.89.
The price range for pencil cases shifted slightly from €0.71-€44.95 in 2025 to €0.48-€45.55 this year, while the highest notebook price remained unchanged at €12.99.
Historical comparisons also suggest there has not been a steady upward trend across all school products. In 2024, for example, the most expensive school bag was also priced at €209.95, while the most expensive pencil case cost €51.40, more than this year's highest-priced model.
Online shopping may be cheaper
The survey found that consumers should compare not only different retailers but also prices within the same company.
In some cases, identical products were available at lower prices online than in physical stores.
However, purchases from outside the European Union may now involve additional costs.
Since 1 July, new customs rules have applied to online purchases worth up to €150 from non-EU countries, including a temporary €3 duty per item.
As a result, a product that initially appears cheaper online may ultimately cost more once additional charges are included.
