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Government Streamlines Real Estate Acquisition Legislation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 9, 2026

Unified Legislative Vision

The Minister of the Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, presented a proposal to the House Committee on Internal Affairs aimed at consolidating three separate legislative initiatives related to real estate acquisitions by foreign nationals without prior approval from the Council of Ministers. The move reflects an effort to merge these proposals into a single, coherent legal text that would strengthen the regulatory framework governing land ownership.

Commitment To Consensus And Timely Reform

Committee Chairman Aristos Damianou expressed a clear intention to move the process toward consensus. The revised proposal is expected to reach the plenary before the end of the current parliamentary term, to secure broad political backing and establish a unified approach that balances public policy priorities with national security considerations.

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Tightening Controls And Modernizing Processes

The draft amendments include provisions requiring directors at the Department of Lands and Surveys to reject property transfers or registrations when restrictions on foreign ownership apply. The initiative also seeks to close legal loopholes that may allow indirect property acquisitions. By clarifying procedures and introducing stronger oversight mechanisms, lawmakers aim to improve transparency and reduce regulatory uncertainty in the property market.

Protecting Agricultural And National Interests

Particular attention is given to safeguarding agricultural land and other sensitive sectors. In the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions and regional developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the reforms are designed to ensure that national interests remain protected while maintaining social and economic stability. Strategic assets and critical infrastructure are expected to fall under stricter scrutiny.

Interdepartmental Collaboration And Forward-Looking Policy

The Ministry of the Interior has signaled support for the overall direction of the proposals while calling for coordination with other legislative frameworks. The Ministry of Finance has also backed the initiative, emphasizing that the objective is to protect strategic sectors rather than impose a blanket ban on foreign property ownership. Feedback from the Attorney General’s Office and other institutions has highlighted the importance of clear procedural limits and zoning rules to prevent misuse.

Conclusion

The consolidation of these legislative proposals marks a step toward modernizing Cyprus’s real estate acquisition rules. By aligning various initiatives and introducing targeted safeguards, the government aims to create a clearer and more balanced framework that supports economic activity while addressing security and regulatory concerns.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.