Government Introduces New Waste Disposal Tax

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 20, 2026

The government has approved a new tax on the sanitary landfilling of municipal waste as part of broader efforts to strengthen environmental policy and reduce long-term waste management costs. The measure aims to cut the volume of waste sent to landfills and align Cyprus with European environmental targets.

Overview: Strategic Environmental Alignment

The Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, setting a clear objective: by 2035, only 10% of municipal waste generated in the country should be disposed of through sanitary landfills. Officials say the reform is intended to support environmental sustainability while limiting the financial burden on households.

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Structured Tax Scale With Consumer Considerations

Under the new framework, a fee of €10 per ton will apply from the start of implementation through December 31, 2027. Beginning January 1, 2028, the fee will increase by €5 per ton each year until reaching a maximum of €70 per ton. The initial rate is lower than the original European recommendation of €35 per ton, following consultations aimed at reducing immediate economic pressure.

Authorities estimate that without the complementary Pay As You Fly (POΠ) system, the annual cost per household would be approximately €10.60, rising to €26.50 by 2030 and €53.00 by 2035. Increased recycling and lower landfill volumes could reduce those costs to around €6.76 per household. With the POΠ system in place, projected costs are lower, reaching €2.54 in 2026, €6.76 in 2030 and €10.51 in 2035 under a 30% landfill scenario. If national targets are achieved, the estimated cost could fall to about €3.50 per household.

Fiscal Neutrality And Investment In Local Infrastructure

The government has stated that the measure is designed to be fiscally neutral. Revenue generated from the tax will be returned to municipalities and communities to support local waste management improvements. An estimated €48 million will be directed toward infrastructure and operational upgrades, including:

procurement of household composters and specialized collection bins
acquisition of waste processing equipment such as compactors and shredders
financing contracts for separate collection of recyclables and municipal waste

Funding will come from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which allocates €23 million, combined with €25 million from the Cohesion Policy Program THALEIA. Officials say these resources will help local authorities manage the transition and support residents as new systems are introduced.

Looking Ahead: A Blueprint For Sustainable Waste Management

The reform represents a broader shift toward a more modern waste management framework. Authorities have introduced a gradual implementation schedule to allow municipalities and households time to adapt, with annual increases beginning in 2028. An expert study has also been commissioned to guide infrastructure upgrades and reduce implementation risks.

According to Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, the objective is to deliver measurable environmental benefits while keeping household costs manageable. As implementation begins in 2026, funding distribution and monitoring mechanisms are expected to support local action plans and advance national sustainability goals.

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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 26, 2026

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.

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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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