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Cyprus House Of Representatives Approves Landmark Comprehensive Tax Reform

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Historic Approval And Government Endorsement

The Cyprus House of Representatives has approved the comprehensive tax transformation bills, a milestone that the Ministry of Finance hailed as a major step forward. The Ministry expressed its satisfaction with the reform’s passage while acknowledging the sustained contributions of various social and economic stakeholders throughout the extensive two-year consultation process.

A New Framework For Economic Equity And Sustainability

According to finance authorities, the new tax reform is a seminal initiative designed to underpin a more equitable, efficient, and sustainable economic system in Cyprus. Set to take effect on January 1, 2026, the framework aims to bolster social justice by easing the tax burden on both individuals and legal entities. This forward-looking policy strategy seeks to reinvigorate public confidence and stimulate a more productive economic environment.

Targeted Support And Incentives For Households

The reform includes targeted measures to support families—particularly those with children and students—while also promoting a greener transition for households. Notable incentives include:

  • An increase of the tax-free threshold for individuals from €19,500 to €22,000, along with a recalibration of tax brackets.
  • Substantial tax deductions for families: €1,000 per parent for the first child, €1,250 for the second, and €1,500 for the third and additional children.
  • Deductions for housing and green expenditures, offering a €1,000 allowance per spouse or partner.
  • Deductions covering up to €2,000 annually for rented accommodations and interest on subsidized mortgage loans per spouse or partner.

Corporate Tax Adjustments To Enhance Investment Appeal

The new framework also reconfigures fiscal measures for corporate entities, including:

  • The complete removal of deemed dividend distribution.
  • A reduction in the withholding tax on actual dividend distributions from 17% to 5%.
  • The abolition of stamp duty charges.
  • Increased exemptions related to Capital Gains Tax objectives.
  • Favorable treatment of stock options.
  • An adjustment of the corporate tax rate from 12.5% to 15%.

A Vision For A Fair And Resilient Economy

The Ministry emphasizes that the new tax regime is not only an economic adjustment but also a strong social and political statement. It embodies the vision of the government led by Nikos Christodoulides to create an economy that is fairer, more productive, and resilient. With this reform, the country is set to enhance support for the middle class while opening substantial new prospects for young professionals, families, and domestic businesses.

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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

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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