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ECB Reduces Interest Rates By 0.25%: Implications For Cyprus Real Estate

The European Central Bank (ECB) has made a significant move by reducing its key interest rates by 0.25%. This anticipated decision is pivotal for the economic landscape across the Eurozone, including the real estate market in Cyprus.

Key Facts About The Rate Cut

  • The ECB has lowered the main interest rates on deposit facilities, refinancing operations, and marginal lending facilities to 2.50%, 2.65%, and 2.90%, respectively, effective March 12, 2025.
  • This decision aligns with the ECB’s updated outlook on inflation, basic inflation dynamics, and the potency of its monetary policy transmission.
  • Inflation expectations are forecasted to average 2.3% in 2025 and move towards 2% by 2027.

What Does This Mean For Cyprus?

For Cyprus, whose service sector saw remarkable growth in 2024, this rate cut could influence borrowing costs and investment decisions in the property market. Lower interest rates often lead to more favorable loan terms, stimulating property investments and purchases.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the reduction, the economic outlook remains cautious with growth estimates down to 0.9% in 2025. These revisions reflect challenges like lower exports and investment weaknesses caused by high trade policy uncertainty.

Continuing Evolution

This rate cut marks the ECB’s sixth consecutive reduction since June last year, illustrating its commitment to sustaining economic stability. Observing the balance between fostering economic growth and ensuring inflation targets are crucial for industry stakeholders.

Cyprus Construction Price Index Rises Amid Cost Pressures

The latest data from the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) shows that the Price Index of Construction Materials in Cyprus reached 118.89 points in January 2026, based on a 2021 average of 100. Compared with December 2025, the index increased by 0.12%, indicating gradual price adjustments across the sector.

Year-Over-Year Growth

On an annual basis, the index recorded a 1.09% increase compared with January of the previous year. The rise reflects ongoing changes in contractor costs and highlights evolving market conditions within the construction industry.

Commodity-Specific Movements

The report provides a detailed breakdown by material category. Minerals recorded the strongest annual increase at 2.91%, followed by electromechanical products at 2.55%. Products made from wood, insulation materials, chemicals and plastics rose by 1.19%, while mineral products increased by 0.97%. In contrast, metallic products declined by 0.49%.

Volatility In Sub-Categories

More pronounced changes were observed within specific sub-categories. Mineral aggregates rose by 8.34%, while stones increased by 4.97% compared with January 2025. Electrical fixtures posted a 4.65% increase. Iron and steel products declined by 1.73%, and ceramics and cement continued to trend lower, falling by 1.47% and 1.38% respectively.

Methodological Insights

The index is calculated as a weighted average based on the expenditure share of sampled materials during the 2021 base year. Prices are collected monthly from a range of suppliers, using the 15th of each month as the reference date and excluding VAT. The Construction Costs Index applies specifically to new residential buildings.

This detailed analysis not only sheds light on current market trends but also offers stakeholders a robust framework for understanding the underlying cost dynamics in Cyprus’s construction materials market.

Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo
Uol

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