Cyprus Resubmits Hospitality Bill With Extended Hours Under Review

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 31, 2026

Resubmission Sparks Renewed Legislative Scrutiny

The government resubmitted a revised bill regulating hospitality operations after withdrawing the initial draft minutes before its planned presentation in Parliament. Review of the proposal is now underway in the Parliamentary Committee on Commerce.

Originally developed by political parties, the measure was later reintroduced by Kyriakos Chatzigiannis following committee recommendations. Lawmakers aim to secure approval before the current Parliament is dissolved.

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Intense Debate Over Operating Hours And Noise Regulations

Strong reactions followed the withdrawal, as lawmakers noted the draft had been reviewed for more than five months across ten sessions. Debate centered on operating hours and noise regulations. Across political groups, positions diverged on late-night limits and enforcement mechanisms.

Key Provisions Of The Revised Bill

Changes agreed within the Committee on Commerce include extended operating hours for hospitality venues. Under the proposal, taverns and pubs could operate until 3:30 a.m. throughout the year. Music and dance venues may remain open until 5:00 a.m. following a ministerial decree. Authority to extend operating hours beyond 3:30 a.m., up to 5:00 a.m., rests with the Energy Minister upon proposal from the Deputy Minister of Tourism. Existing unlicensed venues operating before the law takes effect may apply for permits if requirements are met, excluding private clubs.

Decentralizing Licensing Authority

Responsibility for licensing shifts to local and community councils, replacing the previous centralized role of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. In regional areas, the Interior Minister may delegate licensing powers for recreational spaces, with exemptions applying to hotel-casino establishments.

Ensuring Compliance And Accountability

Oversight will be handled through a centralized registry maintained by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, alongside inspections. Where necessary, authorities may require corrective actions in coordination with licensing bodies. Requirements are also adjusted, including the removal of the risk assessment letter from the Labor Inspection Service. Banquet halls are exempt from displaying service price lists.

Further review is scheduled at the Parliamentary Committee on Commerce on Tuesday. Final approval depends on resolving disagreements over operating hours and enforcement rules.

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Cyprus Credit Servicers Manage €9.3 Billion In Household Loans As NPL Ratio Stays Near 95%

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 22, 2026

Cyprus’ credit servicers and credit acquiring companies continued to shoulder one of the most distressed corners of the island’s financial system, managing a combined loan portfolio of €19.28 billion at the end of June 2026, according to data published by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC).

Households Remain The Largest Exposure

The latest aggregate figures, which cover the credit servicers and credit acquiring companies sector as of June 30, 2026, show that household debt remains the dominant component of the portfolio. Loans linked to households totalled €9.345 billion, while non-financial corporations accounted for €9.205 billion. A further €726 million was tied to other financial corporations.

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The scale of those exposures underscores the role these firms play in Cyprus’ post-crisis loan resolution landscape, where large volumes of distressed debt have been transferred out of the banking system and into specialised management vehicles.

Npl Ratio Holds At Elevated Levels

The sector’s non-performing loan ratio stood at 94.6 per cent at the end of June, virtually unchanged from March 2026. In practical terms, that means the portfolio remains overwhelmingly composed of loans in distress, highlighting the challenge credit servicers continue to face in collections, restructurings and recoveries.

The net book value of the portfolio was €2.671 billion at the end of the quarter. The gap between the contractual balance and the net book value reflects valuation adjustments and accounting treatments applied to these loan books.

Borrower Base Concentrated In Households

The total number of borrowers managed by the sector reached 62,771 at the end of June. Households made up the clear majority, with 53,494 borrowers. Non-financial corporations accounted for 9,214 borrowers, while other financial corporations represented 63 borrowers.

That concentration reinforces a broader pattern in Cyprus’ distressed credit market: household balance sheets remain central to the work of the sector, even as corporate exposures continue to account for a substantial share of the total outstanding balance.

Property Holdings Decline In The Second Quarter

Credit acquiring companies also reduced their property holdings during the second quarter. The number of properties on their books fell to 7,714 at the end of June from 8,014 in March, a decline of 300 properties over three months.

The open market value of those assets moved lower as well, dropping from €968 million in March to €918 million in June. The €50 million decline, or roughly 5.2 per cent, suggests a continued drawdown in real estate assets linked to distressed loan portfolios.

A Clearer View Of Cyprus’ Distressed Asset Market

The Central Bank’s latest data offer another snapshot of a sector that remains central to Cyprus’ handling of bad loans and collateral recovery. With nearly €19.3 billion in loan portfolios, an NPL ratio still close to 95 per cent and thousands of properties held as part of the resolution process, credit servicers and credit acquiring companies remain key players in the country’s broader financial cleanup effort.

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