Opens in a new tab

Breaking news

Cyprus And Greece Unlock New Economic Opportunities Through Strategic Collaboration

Reassessing Cyprus’ Tax Framework

At the 2nd Cyprus Business Presentations Summit in Athens, Cyprus and Greece highlighted opportunities for deeper economic cooperation and investment. The discussion focused in part on Cyprus’ updated tax framework, introduced on January 1, 2026, which aims to simplify procedures and align the system with European Union standards and broader international practices.

Strengthening Bilateral Economic Relations

The summit brought together institutional stakeholders, along with accounting and legal professionals and business leaders from both countries. Cypriot Tax Commissioner Soteris Markides outlined key elements of the reform, emphasizing improvements in efficiency and clarity for investors operating in the region.

Institutional Endorsements And Renewed Commitments

Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Extroversion at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President of Enterprise Greece, highlighted the importance of strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

Representatives of Cyprus in Greece, alongside business organizations such as the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, supported closer cooperation. Additional perspectives were provided by Marios Tannousis, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Cyprus, who pointed to coordinated fiscal and investment policies as drivers of regional growth.

Strategic Memorandum Of Cooperation

A key outcome of the summit was the renewal of a cooperation agreement between Invest Cyprus and Enterprise Greece. The agreement, signed by Marios Tannousis and Dimitris Skalkos, aims to strengthen joint investment promotion efforts and improve coordination between the two markets.

Looking Ahead

Delegates at the summit agreed that changing global economic conditions require closer and more structured cooperation between Cyprus and Greece. Participants pointed to the need for coordinated approaches in areas such as investment promotion, regulatory alignment, and cross-border business activity. Both countries are expected to adapt to shifting market conditions while also expanding joint initiatives across sectors, including services, tourism, energy, and finance. The renewed cooperation framework is intended to strengthen the use of shared economic advantages and support more stable, long-term growth in a competitive regional environment.

Cyprus Government Surplus Rises To €1.61 Billion In First Nine Months Of 2026

Cyprus recorded a general government surplus of €1.61 billion in the first nine months of 2026, equal to 4.0% of gross domestic product, as revenue growth outpaced the rise in public spending. Higher receipts from income taxes, social contributions and value-added tax (VAT) drove the improvement, while lower capital expenditure helped restrain spending.

Preliminary figures released Tuesday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus show the surplus rose to €1.17 billion, or 3.0% of GDP, up from € 442.1 million in the same period of 2025.

Total government revenue increased 6.5% to €12.09 billion, while expenditure rose 2.9% to €10.48 billion.

Key Fiscal MeasureJanuary–September 2025January–September 2026
Total revenue€11,353.9 million€12,091.8 million
Total expenditure€10,186.2 million€10,482.1 million
Government surplus€1,167.6 million€1,609.7 million
Surplus as a share of GDP3.0%4.0%

Income Taxes And VAT Lead Revenue Growth

Taxes on income and wealth made the largest contribution to the increase in revenue. Receipts in this category climbed by €442.2 million, or 15.3%, to €3.34 billion, compared with €2.89 billion a year earlier.

Social contributions rose by €235 million, or 6.6%, to €3.78 billion. Taxes on production and imports increased by €251.5 million, or 7.2%, reaching €3.77 billion.

Net VAT receipts, after refunds, totalled €2.64 billion, up €293.1 million, or 12.5%, from €2.35 billion in the first nine months of 2025.

Some Revenue Streams Decline

Not all revenue categories moved higher. Capital transfers fell by €74.6 million to €96.7 million, while current transfers declined by €71.6 million, or 20.5%, to €278.2 million.

Revenue from services slipped 1.0% to €743.5 million. Interest and dividend receipts dropped by €37 million, or 28.6%, to €92.4 million.

Social Benefits And Personnel Costs Increase

On the expenditure side, social benefits rose by €199.6 million, or 4.9%, to €4.27 billion. Compensation of employees—which includes imputed social contributions and public-sector pensions—increased by €108.3 million, or 3.8%, to €2.99 billion.

Intermediate consumption, covering goods and services used in the delivery of public services, rose by €114.3 million, or 11.0%, to €1.16 billion. Interest payments increased by €8.7 million, or 2.6%, to €340.7 million. Current transfers were up €68.7 million, or 10.6%, at €714.7 million.

Lower Capital Spending Limits Expenditure Growth

The overall increase in spending was tempered by a decline in capital expenditure. Capital-account spending fell by €189.9 million, or 16.9%, to €936.2 million from €1.13 billion in the same period last year.

Investment in fixed capital declined by €94.1 million, or 12.1%, to €686.4 million. Other capital transfers fell by €95.8 million, or 27.7%, to €249.8 million. Subsidies also decreased, dropping by €13.9 million, or 15.5%, to €75.8 million.

Uol
Aretilaw firm
eCredo
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter