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Cyprus Building Permits Fall 14% In Early 2025, Signaling A Market Slowdown

New data from the Cyprus Statistical Service reveals a notable 14% decline in building permits issued during the January–July 2025 period. A total of 4,195 permits were granted compared to 4,879 in the corresponding period of 2024, indicating a deceleration in the approval of new developments.

July 2025 At A Glance

In July 2025 alone, authorities issued 796 permits, which collectively held a value of €454.9 million. The construction projects covered a total area of 359,100 square meters, equating to approximately 1,512 residential units. These figures underscore the robust scale of investment despite a broader decline in permit numbers.

Year-On-Year Value And Scope Increases

Interestingly, comparing the figures to the same month in the previous year, experts observed a 4.8% increase in the total value of permits, a 7.8% expansion in the overall area approved, and a 4.6% growth in the number of residential units. Such statistics suggest that while the frequency of permits has fallen, the focus has shifted towards higher-value and potentially more substantial projects.

Institutional Reforms And Digital Transformation

It is important to note that, effective from July 1, 2024, the responsibility for issuing building permits transitioned from municipalities and regional administrations to the Provincial Regional Self-Government Organizations. This change, coupled with the adoption of the new integrated digital platform Hippodamos, aims to streamline the permit approval process, enhancing both efficiency and oversight in the sector.

These developments provide a crucial insight into the evolving landscape of Cyprus’s construction market and highlight the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for stakeholders in the real estate and development arena.

Cyprus And Israel Forge Strategic Tourism Partnership For Winter Growth

Cyprus and Israel have solidified their tourism partnership amid high-level discussions held in Israel during the International Tourism Fair IMTM. Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis met with Tourism Minister Haim Katz to explore avenues for expanding visitor arrivals and deepening bilateral cooperation in the travel sector.

Expanding Tourism Horizons

During the visit, Koumis presented plans to further support winter arrivals and promote niche tourism segments. Meetings with industry partners highlighted the continued importance of the Israeli market, which remains one of the key contributors to Cyprus’ tourism performance.

Impressive Growth Metrics

The figures reflect this momentum. In 2025, arrivals from Israel exceeded 588,000 visitors, making Israel the second-largest tourism market for Cyprus after the United Kingdom. This represents a 38.4% increase compared to 2024 and more than 112% growth over the past three years.

Average visitor spending also rose to €682 per trip, up 2.9% year-on-year and 13.4% over three years, highlighting the tangible economic contribution of Israeli tourism to Cyprus.

Strengthening Strategic Ties

Koumis noted that the Israeli market remains a priority due to its rapid development and strong potential for diversification. Talks focused not only on short-term opportunities but also on long-term cooperation, particularly in winter tourism and special interest travel. The aim is to maintain steady growth and reduce seasonality in arrivals.

High-Profile Engagements

The visit also included meetings with prominent figures, among them the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos, as well as several media appearances. These engagements underscored both the diplomatic and cultural dimension of the trip, reinforcing broader ties beyond tourism alone.

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