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Government Surplus in Cyprus: April 2025 Analysis

Surplus Insights: January-April 2025

The General Government of Cyprus recorded a fiscal surplus of €646.8 million in the first four months of 2025, equating to 1.8% of GDP. This is a slight decrease compared to the €650.5 million surplus (1.9% of GDP) seen in the same timeframe in 2024, according to preliminary results from the Statistical Service.

Revenue Breakdown

Government revenues grew by €243 million (5.3%), reaching €4.826 billion in comparison to the previous year. Income and wealth tax revenues rose by €89.8 million (8.3%), totaling €1.171 billion. Meanwhile, social contributions increased by €135.7 million (9.4%), totaling €1.573 billion. Interest and dividend collections climbed to €84.7 million, marking an increase of €53.7 million.

Service provisions saw an impressive growth, up by 24.1% to €369.7 million. Conversely, taxes on production and imports decreased slightly by €10.8 million, settling at €1.499 billion, with net VAT revenues falling by €23.6 million.

Expenditure Insights

Expenditures also saw a rise, up €246.6 million (6.3%) to a total of €4.179 billion. Personnel expenses, including social benefits, increased by €72 million (6%) to €1.272 billion. Social benefits expanded by €95.8 million (5.9%).

Capital accounts surged by 30% to €310.7 million. Within this, fixed capital investments grew by 18.7% to €251.7 million. On a lighter note, interest payments fell by €2.8 million, with subsidies also showing a decline.

For additional context on Cyprus’ economic landscape, refer to our coverage on how Cyprus Labor Market Strengthens in Q1 2025.

Global Investment Migration: Leading Residence And Citizenship Programs For 2026

European Dominance Challenged By Global Contenders

The 2026 edition of the Henley & Partners Residence and Citizenship Programs report shows increasing competition in the investment migration market. European programs, traditionally seen as the global benchmark, are now facing stronger competition from jurisdictions in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean as countries expand offerings aimed at attracting capital and internationally mobile investors.

New Entrants And Rapid Climbers Reshape The Landscape

Malta remains ranked first in the Global Citizenship Program Index for the 11th consecutive year, while Greece retains the top position in the Global Residence Program Index. At the same time, several jurisdictions improved their standings. The UAE moved from fifth to a joint second position, entering the top three for the first time. Countries including Costa Rica, New Zealand, Panama, and Singapore also gained ground, while Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives appeared as new entrants.

Competing For Capital And Global Talent

Governments increasingly use residence and citizenship frameworks as tools to attract foreign investment and entrepreneurial talent. According to Henley & Partners Chairman Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Europe remains a strong player, but countries such as Singapore and the UAE are accelerating reforms to strengthen their appeal to globally mobile investors.

Established Leaders And Agile Newcomers In Citizenship Programs

The Global Citizenship Program Index continues to be led by established programs. Malta’s citizenship-by-merit framework scored 77 points, maintaining its leading position, while Austria followed with a highly selective model. Programs in Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Nauru also received strong rankings. New entrants such as São Tomé and Príncipe and Samoa reflect a broader expansion of citizenship-based offerings.

European Consolidation And Emerging Residence Hubs

In the residence category, Greece remains first, supported by EU access and lifestyle advantages. Italy, Switzerland, and the UAE continue to compete closely, combining tax efficiency with investor-oriented policies. Portugal and Australia maintain strong positions, while Uruguay is emerging as a stable option with growing international interest.

Performance Metrics And Strategic Advantages

Both indexes evaluate 40 programs across factors including reputation, quality of life, compliance standards, investment requirements, and tax considerations. Austria and Malta scored strongly on program quality, while the UAE ranked highly in lifestyle and tax competitiveness. The rankings highlight how jurisdictions are positioning themselves to attract globally mobile capital.

Wealth On The Move

The report points to a broader shift in global wealth mobility. According to Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, investors increasingly prioritize stability, transparency, and clear long-term pathways when choosing residence or citizenship options.

As global uncertainty persists, residence and citizenship programs are increasingly viewed not only as investment tools but as strategic instruments for long-term mobility and risk diversification.

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