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European Business Registrations Climb 4% In Q3 2025 Amid Mixed Bankruptcy Trends

European business registrations surged by 4.0 percent during the third quarter of 2025 compared with the previous quarter, according to Eurostat. This uptick, witnessed across all economic sectors, signals a robust period of growth in the region.

Sector-Specific Performance

The information and communication sector led the charge with a 6.0 percent increase in registrations. The construction and transport sectors also experienced notable gains, recording increases of 5.9 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively, reflecting a broad-based expansion fueled by renewed investment and market confidence.

Mixed Trends In Bankruptcy Declarations

Despite impressive registration figures, bankruptcy declarations rose by 4.4 percent over the same period. A closer review indicates that while five sectors reported increasing bankruptcy numbers, three sectors actually saw a decline. In particular, the accommodation and food services sector experienced a sharp rise of 20.7 percent, with transport and financial services following at 18.7 percent and 14.1 percent, respectively.

Resilience In Key Industries

Certain sectors demonstrated greater stability amidst broader economic challenges. Notably, the information and communication sector recorded a 4.8 percent decline in bankruptcies, while construction and industry experienced decreases of 3.1 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. These contrasting trends underscore the evolving economic landscape across the EU.

For more detailed insights, visit Eurostat’s official website to explore the comprehensive analysis on current economic shifts.

Cyprus Could Turn 30,000 Empty Buildings Into New Homes

Vacant Properties Could Be Renovated For Housing And Community Use

Cyprus has an estimated 30,000 vacant or abandoned buildings that could be renovated and brought back into use, potentially helping ease pressure on the housing market, particularly for renters.

Former parliamentary Environment Committee chairman Charalambos Theopemptou examined how other EU countries deal with vacant properties and outlined several measures Cyprus could consider.

Lessons From Europe

Countries such as Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal use different combinations of renovation grants, tax measures and urban renewal programmes to encourage owners to bring empty properties back into use.

Ireland offers grants of up to €50,000 for vacant homes and €70,000 for derelict properties, while France and Spain use tax measures in areas with high housing demand. Portugal supports renovation through a dedicated urban renewal fund. Cyprus currently offers grants of up to €40,000 for renovating a three-bedroom home.

Creating A National Register

Theopemptou suggested creating a comprehensive register of vacant, abandoned and dangerous buildings, with municipalities and communities working alongside the Interior Ministry and technical services.

Properties could be classified according to their condition, historical or architectural value and location. Buildings near schools, public transport, local centres or areas with demand for affordable housing could receive priority.

He also proposed combining financial incentives with simpler procedures and faster technical assistance for owners willing to restore unused properties.

Putting Empty Buildings To Work

Once renovated, vacant properties could provide affordable and student housing, small businesses, cultural spaces and other community facilities. Long-term leases, partnerships with owners, social enterprises and unused municipal buildings could also contribute.

Many properties may not require major reconstruction. Structural assessments, cleaning, basic repairs, energy improvements, accessibility upgrades and reconnection to utilities could be enough to return some buildings to use.

Theopemptou also called for faster permits for smaller renovation projects and greater use of EU funding linked to the Renovation Wave initiative. Local authorities could further improve transparency by publishing data on vacant properties, including how many have been classified as dangerous, renovated or returned to use.

Bringing more of Cyprus’s unused buildings back into circulation could increase the housing supply while revitalising neighbourhoods and improving quality of life.

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