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Cyprus Real Estate: Apartment Sales and Robust Local Demand Sustain Market Resilience

Record Transaction Value Amid Global Uncertainty

In an impressive demonstration of stability, Cyprus’ real estate market reached a historic transaction value of €5.71 billion in 2024—a modest 1% increase over the previous year. This record was achieved despite a 3% decline in the number of transactions, underscoring the market’s resilience in the face of persistent global economic challenges.

Dominance of Residential and Commercial Sectors

Residential real estate remained the engine driving the market, with a staggering €3.8 billion in transactions (67% of total value). Meanwhile, the commercial sector experienced a notable uplift in value, compensating for declines in other categories. Limassol, emerging as the clear frontrunner with 44% of total transaction value, continues to be the epicenter of both luxury and mainstream developments.

Shifting Dynamics in Foreign Investment

The report from PwC reveals a 10% overall decline in foreign buyer demand in 2024. However, districts such as Nicosia, Famagusta, and Larnaca bucked this trend, registering growing international interest. Even though areas like Paphos and Limassol saw reduced foreign transactions, they still together accounted for more than 60% of property sales to non-nationals.

Luxury Market and Development Trends

The luxury segment, representing 9% of the total transaction value, recorded 188 transactions of high-end properties valued above €1.5 million, totaling €500 million. Limassol led luxury transactions with 74% of expenditure followed by Paphos. Additionally, while the number of building permits dropped by 2%, the value of these permits increased by 2%, reflecting a strategic pivot towards higher-quality, high-value developments in commercial and non-residential projects.

Outlook for 2025: A Promising Start

Recent data from the Cyprus Real Estate Agents Registration Council signals a positive market trajectory for 2025. With a 15% increase in sale contracts during the first quarter, and transaction values exceeding €1.1 billion, market prospects remain buoyant. Limassol continues to dominate in both sale contracts and transaction values, while Nicosia, Paphos, and Larnaca show sustained and emerging strengths respectively.

Apartment Sales: The Fuel for Continued Growth

Data from Landbank Real Estate Analytics highlights a significant shift in buyer preferences. Apertment sales surged by 22.7% in volume and 9% in value to €1.5 billion, in stark contrast to a decline in new house sales. This trend underscores local buyers’ prioritization of affordability and accessibility. Moreover, with Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos each recording dynamic shifts in their housing segments, strategic investments are adjusting to meet the evolving market demands.

Conclusion

Despite a fluctuating global economic environment, Cyprus’ real estate market has demonstrated robust resilience through strategic emphasis on residential, commercial, and luxury sectors. The sustained demand for apartments and the emerging shift in foreign investor interest toward more accessible regions present a balanced yet dynamic outlook for 2025, positioning the market for continued strength and adaptive growth.

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

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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