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Cyprus Advances As A Strategic Hub Connecting Europe With Regional Markets

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 2, 2026

Robust Economic Growth Driven By Services And Investment

Cyprus is recording steady economic growth in 2026, supported by services exports, foreign direct investment, and cross-border business activity. The European Commission’s Winter 2026 Forecast points to continued expansion driven mainly by services and private consumption.

A Strategic Gateway To Global Markets

With full access to the EU single market and a competitive institutional framework, Cyprus is positioning itself as a base for international business and capital flows. The island is increasingly used as an entry point to both the European Union and neighbouring regions, according to Invest Cyprus.

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Institutional Credibility And Fiscal Discipline

Cyprus received credit rating upgrades from Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch in 2024 and 2025, reflecting fiscal discipline and banking-sector stability. Eurostat data show that GDP growth has remained above the euro area average in recent years.

Policy changes have also supported the investment environment. The abolition of the immovable property tax in 2017, reforms in the land registry system, and strengthened supervision by the Central Bank of Cyprus and the ECB’s Single Supervisory Mechanism contributed to market stability.

Competitive Tax Policy And Digital Innovation

Cyprus maintains a 15% corporate tax rate aligned with the global minimum tax framework, one of the lowest in the EU. Additional incentives include dividend and securities gains exemptions for non-residents, zero withholding tax on outbound payments, and a 5% tax rate on foreign pensions.

The technology sector is expanding, particularly in software development, fintech, and cybersecurity, according to a KPMG Cyprus study. International tech companies have established operations on the island, supported by initiatives from TechIsland and government incentives such as streamlined work permits, a Digital Nomad Visa, and a 50% tax exemption for non-resident employees earning above €55,000.

Challenges Of A Rapidly Transforming Market

Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. The reliance on services and internationally mobile capital necessitates continuous adaptation to evolving OECD and EU tax regulations. The transformation into a service and technology hub raises essential questions about long-term institutional stability and the need for sustained investment in human capital.

Housing Market Pressures And Social Cohesion

The real estate market vividly reflects these economic trends. Data from the CBC Residential Property Price Index indicates persistent increases in property values, particularly in urban areas where the influx of high-income foreign executives has intensified demand. This dynamic has fostered a dual housing market that caters to affluent expatriates while limiting options for residents. As affordability pressures mount, particularly for younger Cypriots, the broader implications for social cohesion become increasingly apparent.

Strategic Recommendations For Sustainable Growth

Looking ahead, experts advocate a more comprehensive strategy that balances competitive advantages with regulatory resilience. Key recommendations include expanding the supply of affordable housing, incentivizing mid-market residential development, and bolstering local entrepreneurship to ensure domestic firms can retain and attract skilled labour. Furthermore, heightened investment in education and training, as emphasized in Cyprus’ Recovery And Resilience Plan (RRP), is crucial for translating economic gains into broad-based prosperity.

Conclusion

Cyprus continues to strengthen its role as a service and technology-driven economy. Long-term performance will depend on maintaining investment attractiveness while addressing structural challenges such as housing affordability, workforce development, and regulatory adaptation.

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Cyprus Strengthens Its Case As A European Chess Hub After FIDE President’s Visit

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 20, 2026

Cyprus is sharpening its position on the European chess map, with the island’s rising profile now drawing attention at the highest levels of the sport.

Fide Leadership Backs Cyprus’ Chess Ambitions

International Chess Federation (FIDE) president Timur Turlov, who also leads Freedom Holding Corp and Freedom24, met President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on Monday to discuss the future of chess development in Cyprus. The talks centered on the island’s growing importance in European chess and the momentum built since Freedom became general partner of the Cyprus Chess Federation in 2023.

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“In three years, Cyprus has become one of Europe’s chess hubs, and we want to keep building on that,” Turlov said. “It was important for us to present our plans for chess on the island to the President, and we are grateful for his time and attention to the game.”

A Broader Strategy For Growth

Turlov was elected FIDE president on September 26 at the federation’s congress in Samarkand. His 2027–2030 programme calls for roughly €30 million in funding over four years to support global chess development, including an annual development fund of €6.2 million, nearly four times the current budget.

The proposed funding is designed to expand competition opportunities, strengthen youth development, improve chess education, support coaches and arbiters, accelerate digital tools, and promote women’s chess.

Cyprus Has Become A Proven Host For Major Events

Since Freedom became the federation’s general partner in 2023, Cyprus has hosted 26 tournaments, including stages of the FIDE Women’s World Grand Prix in Nicosia in 2023 and 2025. The island also welcomed the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which featured a €1 million prize fund and brought top international players to Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort.

For Cyprus, that event carried symbolic weight. It was the first time in the country’s chess history that the world’s leading contenders had competed on the island, underscoring its emergence as a credible destination for elite international chess.

Building A Pipeline For The Next Generation

The local ecosystem is also expanding at the grassroots level. The Freedom24 Chess Academy opened in Limassol on March 1, 2025, under the leadership of International Master Artem Sadovsky. Its mission is to develop competitive players capable of representing Cyprus on the international stage.

According to the Cyprus Chess Federation, around 2,000 people in Cyprus now play chess actively, most of them children. That matters: a sustainable chess economy, like any successful sports ecosystem, depends not only on marquee tournaments but also on a steady pipeline of young talent, coaching infrastructure and institutional support.

As Cyprus continues to invest in the game, it is increasingly positioning itself not just as a host nation, but as a serious contributor to the future of European chess.