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Cyprus Passes Strategic FDI Screening Law to Enhance Investment Security

The Cyprus Real Estate Development Association has welcomed the House of Representatives’ unanimous approval of a new law designed to regulate foreign direct investments. The legislation, aligning Cyprus fully with the European Union’s screening regulation since October 2020, is a significant step in safeguarding national interests and elevating the island’s investment framework.

Aligning With EU Standards

The new law introduces a stringent review process for investments that could affect national security. Focusing on “sensitive strategic areas,” the legislation establishes a dedicated national mechanism to monitor such investments, ensuring that Cyprus remains compliant with EU regulations.

Comprehensive Investment Screening

Under this framework, any foreign investment exceeding €2 million is subject to thorough scrutiny. Additionally, property acquisitions will be evaluated when associated with vital infrastructures—a detailed list expected to be finalized in the ensuing months. In the interim, the Finance Ministry will provide provisional guidelines to assist investors.

Clear Definitions and Enforcement Measures

The law clearly differentiates between dual nationals and foreign investors, exempting the former from additional review. Meanwhile, designated foreign investors must notify the relevant national authority prior to proceeding with their investments. Authorities are also empowered to impose conditions or fines to enforce compliance.

Enhancing Market Stability and Confidence

The association emphasized that the introduction of a transparent and consistent regulatory framework will bolster market stability and investor confidence. By striking an equilibrium between protecting national security and fostering an open, competitive investment climate, the legislation reinforces Cyprus’s reputation as a modern and reliable destination for foreign investment.

The Cyprus Real Estate Development Association remains committed to monitoring the law’s implementation and contributing to public discourse, ensuring that the investment environment continues to support the economic and social benefits for the nation.

payabl. Launches Click To Pay With Visa To Help Merchants Improve Checkout Conversion And Reduce Fraud

payabl. has launched Click to Pay with Visa, a new card payment experience designed to help merchants reduce checkout friction, improve authorisation rates, and deliver a faster, more secure online payment journey.

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Click to Pay replaces manual card number entry with a token-based checkout experience. Once a customer’s card is enrolled, they can complete purchases in just a few clicks, without re-entering card details. The result is a faster checkout that mirrors the ease of contactless payments in-store, while maintaining strong security standards.

For merchants, the impact is measurable. According to Visa, Click to Pay can deliver up to a 11% uplift in authorisation rates compared to manual card entry, alongside significant fraud reduction through network tokenisation. Faster checkout also helps reduce cart abandonment, particularly on mobile, where typing card details remains a major source of friction.

“With online checkout, every extra step costs conversion,” said Breno Oliveira, Chief Product Officer at payabl. “Visa Click to Pay removes one of the biggest points of friction at the moment of purchase. It helps merchants approve more legitimate transactions, reduce fraud exposure, and give customers the experience they already expect.” 

Visa Click to Pay is available through payabl. checkout, enabling merchants to activate the service without additional integration complexity. The solution works across devices and supports existing security flows, including 3D Secure where required.

“Consumers have come to expect a highly personalised, intuitive, and seamless payment experience, whether they’re buying a coffee, shopping online, or applying for a loan. Visa Click to Pay aims to meet these expectations by removing the need to manually enter card details, thus enhancing both security and the consumer experience in online card payments. With the support of network tokens, Visa Click to Pay enabled a more secure and smoother transaction process, available in many countries around the world. According to European VisaNet data, Visa Click to Pay may allow a 4.5% uplift in merchant sales, meaning a possible annual increase of €51 bn in SMB eCommerce sales in the UK and EU,” said Michael Ioannides, Country Manager, Visa Cyprus.

The launch forms part of payabl.’s broader focus on checkout optimisation, helping merchants improve conversion, approvals, and payment reliability at scale. Click to Pay with Visa is now live for eligible merchants across Europe. 

Checkout expectations are rising across Europe 

Insights from payabl.’s State of European Checkouts report underline why frictionless checkout experiences are becoming a commercial priority. The research found that consumers cite speed (46%), convenience (44%), and security (41%) as the top reasons for choosing a payment method. More than half of consumers (53%) are open to switching to newer payment methods and nearly half (48%) are open to one-click checkouts, provided the solution is backed by a trusted brand such as Visa.

“Checkout is no longer just the final step of a transaction,” said Oliveira. “It is a critical part of the overall customer experience. Our research shows that 43% of European consumers will not return to a site after a poor checkout experience. For merchants across the UK and Europe, that translates directly into lost customers and lost revenue.”

The launch forms part of payabl.’s broader focus on checkout optimisation, helping merchants improve conversion, approvals, and payment reliability at scale. Click to Pay with Visa is now live for eligible merchants across Europe.

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