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Surge In Cyprus Vehicle Registrations: February 2026 Data Reveals Robust Growth

Overview Of Registration Trends

Vehicle registrations in Cyprus reached 4,670 units in February 2026, an increase of 24.3% compared with 3,757 registrations in February 2025, according to data released by the Statistical Service.

Passenger Vehicle Market Expansion

Growth was also recorded in the passenger vehicle segment. Registrations of saloon cars rose by 23.8% year on year, increasing from 2,908 to 3,600 units. During the January–February 2026 period, total vehicle registrations reached 9,020, representing a 15.1% increase compared with 7,834 registrations during the same period in 2025.

Analysis Of New Versus Used Sales

Within the passenger vehicle category, saloon registrations increased by 13.7% to 6,917 vehicles, compared with 6,084 a year earlier. Of these vehicles, 2,401 units (34.7%) were new, and 4,516 units (65.3%) were used.

Trends In Fuel And Hybrid Technology

Fuel type data show changes in the composition of vehicle registrations. Gasoline-powered vehicles accounted for 36.2% of registrations, down from 41.6% a year earlier.

Diesel vehicles represented 8.9% of registrations compared with 9.2% in the previous year. Electric vehicles accounted for 5.2% of registrations, compared with 5.3% previously.

Hybrid vehicles represented 49.6% of registrations during the period, compared with 43.9% in the corresponding period of 2025.

Commercial And Specialty Vehicle Segments

Other vehicle categories also recorded changes in registration volumes. Bus registrations increased from 20 to 44 units. Freight vehicle registrations rose by 26.2%, increasing from 915 to 1,155 during the January–February period. Rental vehicles increased by 88% to 47 units. Heavy trucks rose by 67.4% to 149 units, while road tractor units increased by 42.9% to 40. Light truck registrations increased by 18.9% to 919 units. Motorcycles with engines under 50 cc declined from 49 to 15 units, while motorcycles above 50 cc increased by 14.7% to 758 units.

Implications For The Market

The increase in vehicle registrations indicates continued activity in the Cypriot automotive market. Data also show a rising share of hybrid vehicles as well as growth across several commercial vehicle categories. These developments suggest changing consumer preferences and evolving demand within the transport sector. Higher registration volumes in freight vehicles, rental fleets and heavy trucks also reflect increased activity in business transportation and logistics.

Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.

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