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Cyprus Property Market Booms: Who’s Buying And Why?

The Cyprus property market has seen an impressive surge in foreign interest over recent years, with thousands of properties being snapped up by international buyers, both from EU member states and beyond. According to the latest figures from the Department of Lands and Surveys, a staggering 37,000 properties were sold to foreign nationals between 2021 and the end of 2024, underscoring the growing appeal of the island’s real estate market.

During the same period, Cypriot nationals continued to dominate the local market, purchasing over 200,000 properties. Yet, it’s the foreign buyers who are making a notable impact, with UK nationals consistently leading the pack, followed by Russians, Israelis, Greeks, and Lebanese.

The figures, which were presented to the House of Representatives by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, offer a detailed breakdown of property acquisitions, including buyer nationality and district. Let’s take a closer look at the trends across various regions of Cyprus.

Nicosia: Greeks, Britons, And Australians Take The Lead

In the capital, Nicosia, Greek nationals have emerged as the top foreign buyers, securing 1,626 properties between 2021 and 2024. This includes 272 properties purchased via sales agreements and 1,354 through completed sales. UK nationals are a close second with 1,584 properties, while Australians round out the top three with 545 properties.

However, despite the strong foreign presence, Cypriots remain the dominant force in Nicosia’s property market, holding an impressive 98,205 properties compared to just 5,236 owned by foreigners.

Limassol: Russians, Britons, And Israelis Fuel Growth

Limassol has become a hotbed for foreign property purchases, with Russian nationals leading the charge. Over the four-year period, they secured 2,561 properties, with 1,269 purchased via sales agreements and 1,292 from completed sales. UK nationals followed with 1,840 properties, while Israelis also showed strong interest, buying 1,154 properties.

Cypriots continue to make up the bulk of property owners in Limassol, with over 62,000 local purchases, but foreign buyers have clearly made their mark in this coastal city.

Paphos: A Favourite Among Britons, Russians, And Israelis

The town of Paphos has also seen an influx of foreign buyers, with the UK topping the list once again. British nationals acquired 4,483 properties in Paphos between 2021 and 2024, followed by Russian nationals with 1,563 properties and Israelis with 1,291 properties. The total number of foreign property purchases in Paphos exceeds 10,000, while Cypriots secured 28,484 properties during the same period.

Larnaca: Lebanese, Britons, And Israelis Drive Sales

Larnaca’s property market has attracted significant foreign interest as well, with UK nationals at the forefront, purchasing 2,743 properties. Lebanese buyers rank second with 1,744 properties, while Israelis follow closely with 1,406 acquisitions. Over the four years, Larnaca saw 8,535 foreign property purchases, with Cypriots acquiring a larger share—33,819 properties.

Famagusta: Britons, Greeks, And Lebanese Show Interest

In Famagusta, British nationals again lead the pack with 1,182 property purchases. Greeks and Lebanese nationals follow with 165 and 131 properties, respectively. However, Cypriots continue to dominate the Famagusta market, with 16,966 properties purchased by locals compared to just over 2,000 foreign acquisitions.

The data paints a clear picture: foreign nationals are showing growing interest in Cyprus’ real estate market, particularly those from the UK, Russia, Israel, Greece, and Lebanon. This surge in foreign investment is reshaping the landscape of Cyprus property, offering both challenges and opportunities for local buyers and developers alike.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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