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Spain’s New Property Tax May Shift Investor Focus To Cyprus

Spain’s decision to introduce a 100% property tax on purchases by non-EU residents, announced on 15th January, is poised to alter the dynamics of the real estate investment landscape in Europe. While the move aims to address Spain’s mounting housing crisis, it could inadvertently divert foreign investors to other markets, including Cyprus.

Tackling Spain’s Housing Crisis

The tax, a bold initiative by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is intended to curb soaring property prices and ensure affordability for locals. Spain has faced a significant shortage of housing, worsened by high inflation, rising interest rates, and insufficient new construction. In 2023 alone, non-EU residents purchased 27,000 properties in Spain, with many acquisitions driven by profit motives rather than personal use, Sánchez noted.

The lack of available housing has sparked frustration among the local population as demand continues to outstrip supply, further driving up prices. This new tax is part of a broader strategy to prioritize housing for residents and stabilize the market.

The Cyprus Perspective

As Spain tightens its regulations, some investors may look elsewhere, and Cyprus could emerge as an attractive alternative. Pavlos Loizou, CEO of the analytics firm Ask Wire, suggests that while changes in Spain might present opportunities for Cyprus, the overall impact is likely to be limited.

The Cypriot rental market has already seen significant investment, and the entry of new players may not drastically shift the status quo. Moreover, Loizou highlighted that Greece has also introduced tighter regulations, including restrictions on short-term rental licenses and a sustainability tax for platforms like Airbnb, which could steer investors towards more lenient markets like Cyprus.

In Cyprus, short-term rentals remain relatively unregulated. Although the government has established a rental property registry, less than 40% of properties are formalized, leaving room for investors to operate with fewer restrictions.

Broader Implications For The Region

UK analysts suggest that Spain’s tax reforms may deter non-EU investors, prompting them to seek out markets with more favorable conditions. Cyprus and Greece, along with larger markets like Turkey and Italy, are well-positioned to benefit. However, experts caution that regional competition could limit significant growth in demand for Cypriot properties.

An Evolving Landscape

While the new Spanish tax has raised concerns among foreign investors, Cyprus may attract those seeking less restrictive property markets. However, sustained demand will depend on the government’s ability to strike a balance between regulation and investment incentives. In the meantime, Cyprus remains a promising, albeit competitive, alternative for property investors navigating Europe’s shifting real estate landscape.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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