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Cyprus Real Estate Market Slows in August

The Cypriot real estate market showed signs of cooling in August 2024, marking a decline in activity after a period of sustained growth. Data reveals a notable slowdown in transactions, with the overall market experiencing a dip in sales and property transfers compared to previous months. This deceleration comes after a strong first half of the year, which saw robust demand in key regions, especially for high-value properties and new developments.

While the market experienced this summer lull, experts remain cautiously optimistic, noting that this trend aligns with historical patterns, as August is traditionally a quieter month for real estate due to seasonal factors. However, the slowdown also reflects broader economic challenges, including rising interest rates and inflationary pressures, which have begun to affect buyer sentiment and investment decisions.

Market Trends: The Eight-Month Snapshot

Despite the August slowdown, the real estate market over the first eight months of 2024 has largely been positive. Property sales and transfers increased during the initial part of the year, driven by both domestic and foreign investment. Demand for residential properties remained high, with luxury properties and developments in prime locations—such as Limassol, Paphos, and Nicosia—leading the way.

Data from the Department of Lands and Surveys highlights that, while August saw a reduction in transaction volumes, the overall market remained relatively resilient. The first eight months of the year saw a notable rise in the value of properties sold, suggesting that the high-end property segment continued to perform well. Additionally, certain regions, particularly Limassol and Paphos, managed to retain significant market momentum even during the quieter summer months.

Limassol, a hub for foreign investment and a hotspot for luxury developments, has consistently been one of the strongest-performing regions, attracting both individual buyers and investors seeking rental properties or high-end real estate. Paphos, known for its appeal to foreign retirees and holiday home buyers, also maintained steady demand, particularly from non-EU buyers taking advantage of Cyprus’ attractive property offerings and lifestyle benefits.

Regional Interpretation

While the overall market has slowed, certain regions continue to show resilience. Limassol and Paphos, in particular, remain key players in the market, with these areas seeing the highest levels of foreign interest. Limassol’s status as a business and investment hub, coupled with its array of luxury properties, continues to attract international buyers, particularly from the Middle East, Russia, and Europe.

Paphos also continues to hold strong appeal for foreign buyers, especially retirees and those looking for holiday homes. The district’s affordability compared to Limassol, combined with its high quality of life, makes it a popular choice for non-EU investors, who have been a consistent driver of demand in the region.

Cyprus Property Market Extends Its Growth Run As Foreign Demand Remains A Key Driver

Cyprus property sales continued to grow in August, extending a year-long run of annual increases across the island’s real estate market.

Transactions Remain Above 2025 Levels

Sale contracts reached 13,288 in the first eight months of 2026, according to the Department of Lands and Surveys. That was 14% more than the 11,689 contracts recorded during the same period last year, an increase of 1,599 transactions.

August brought 1,241 contracts, up 10% from 1,128 a year earlier. Activity was lower than July’s more than 2,000 contracts, but August is traditionally quieter for property transactions.

Annual growth remained positive throughout 2026, ranging from 5% in May to 27% in June. In July and August, sales were 11% and 10% higher than a year earlier, respectively.

Limassol And Paphos Drive Growth

Limassol and Paphos accounted for 1,070 of the 1,599 additional contracts recorded nationwide in the first eight months, or about 67%.

Limassol remained the largest market, with 4,354 contracts, up 17% from 3,720 a year earlier. August was its first monthly decline of 2026, with 395 contracts, down 5% year on year.

Paphos recorded the strongest growth among the five districts. Its eight-month total reached 2,654 contracts, up nearly 20% from 2,218, while August sales rose 20% to 267.

Larnaca Leads August Growth

Larnaca posted the strongest monthly increase in August, with 299 contracts, up 35% from 221 a year earlier. Its eight-month total reached 2,898, an increase of 13% from 2025.

Nicosia recorded 225 contracts in August, up 8%, taking its eight-month total to 2,789, or nearly 6% above last year. Famagusta remained weaker, with August sales falling 8% to 55, although its eight-month total was still up just over 8% at 593.

Foreign Buyers Support Demand

International buyers accounted for about 47% of sale contracts during the first eight months. Transactions with EU buyers rose 23% year on year, while sales to non-EU nationals increased 19%.

Foreign demand has helped sustain activity as property prices and construction costs rise. Residential prices increased 7.5% year on year in the first quarter, with apartment prices up 10.8% and houses 3%, according to the Central Bank of Cyprus.

Construction material prices were 3.33% higher in July than a year earlier, while prices rose 1.87% during the first seven months of 2026, Cystat data showed. Metal products and materials, including wood, insulation, chemicals and plastics, recorded some of the sharpest increases.

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The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
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