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There is significant activity in the real estate sector regarding purchases of residential properties by both Cypriot and foreign investors in Cyprus in 2026.
According to data from the Department of Lands and Surveys of the Republic of Cyprus, the number of foreign buyers—both Europeans and nationals from third countries—remains high, with investments in the real estate sector continuing to be one of the island’s most important economic activities.
Generally, the real estate sector in Cyprus is a profitable area of economic activity that attracts a large number of foreign investors, both EU citizens and non-EU nationals. In recent years, this has transformed the island into a hub for property transactions, with an increasing number of foreign investors injecting significant amounts of money into the Cypriot economy.
However, the influx of foreign buyers has also had a major impact on Cypriots’ ability to invest in real estate, as the majority of local buyers cannot keep up with the financial strength of either European buyers or investors from third countries.
What is happening with Cypriot property buyers?
According to the data, from January 2026 through July 2026, a total of 12,857 properties were sold nationwide to local buyers, with the total value amounting to €2,699,874,537.35.
As expected, two coastal cities—Limassol and Paphos—took the lead in property sales in 2026, accounting for the largest share of the financial activity in the real estate market, alongside Nicosia.
According to data from the Department of Lands and Surveys, in Limassol—a city in which numerous investors have been active in recent years—3,330 properties were sold, with the total value of transactions reaching €1,083,649,543.79.
Paphos ranked second among the coastal cities in terms of property sales, where during the first seven months of 2026, 2,358 properties were sold to Cypriot investors, with a total value of €543,279,412.48.
As for Nicosia, the island’s capital, by July 2026 a total of 3,923 properties had been sold, with the total value of transfers amounting to €567,285,018.12.
Larnaca and Famagusta followed in terms of property transactions involving local investors. In Larnaca, during the first seven months of the year, 2,437 properties were sold, with a total transaction value of €375,416,205.80.
In Famagusta, 809 properties were sold in 2026, with the total value of transactions amounting to €130,244,357.16.
Foreign investors and real estate
Foreign investors hold a very significant share of economic activity in the residential property market. Their investments provide a major boost to the Cypriot economy and account for a substantial part of activity in this sector.
In particular, following the 2013 bank crisis and the haircut on bank deposits, real estate transactions involving foreign investors significantly boosted the market. However, this also left a bitter taste among local residents, who suddenly found it increasingly difficult to compete with foreign investors.
What do the numbers show?
According to data from the Department of Lands and Surveys of the Republic of Cyprus, during the first seven months of 2026, 2,683 properties were sold to foreign buyers.
Of the total number of foreign investments, 1,260 were from buyers from European Union countries, while 1,423 were from third countries.
A closer analysis of the data shows that most investments by foreign buyers in the real estate sector during the first seven months of 2026 were made in Paphos, where total property sales reached 983.
This was followed by Limassol, with 640 property sales to foreign buyers; Larnaca, with 541 sales; Famagusta, with 164 sales; and Nicosia, with 355 property sales.
In conclusion
Property sales to foreign investors have, on the one hand, provided a significant boost to the Cypriot economy. On the other hand, however, this trend has created a two-tier investment market, with Cypriots gradually losing their competitive strength while foreign investors continue to gain ground year after year.