The aftermath of the devastating fire in the Limassol area has exposed decades-long systemic problems. According to the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) of Cyprus, homeowners without valid building permits will only be eligible for a quarter of the restoration costs. For example, if a house is completely destroyed and restoration is estimated at €200,000, the state will pay only €50,000 if the property was built without a license.
Preliminary estimates suggest that between 20% and 30% of the 440 buildings that were completely or partially destroyed lack the necessary permits. This means that up to 130 owners risk being left without any real support. Only those who have obtained permits through the Limassol Municipal Planning Authority or the Planning Deviations Council, depending on the nature of the violations, will be eligible for full compensation.
Opportunities for legalisation: new chances for owners
The Cyprus Ministry of the Interior is cautiously optimistic because most of the affected properties are in residential areas. This means their owners have a chance to legalize their construction. Local authorities have promised flexibility regarding minor violations, especially if the buildings do not pose a danger or stand out visually from the general appearance of the settlement. The final number of illegal buildings will only be known after the official compensation application process is complete.
Extent of damage: damage exceeds fires of previous years
The fire completely destroyed 211 homes and damaged 229 more. This tragedy surpasses the scale of the major fire in 2012 in the Larnaca mountains, which burned down 55 km² of forest. At that time, 80% of the affected buildings were also without permits. In contrast, the damage from the 2021 Soli fire, which affected 18.5 km², is estimated at a relatively smaller amount — about €110 million.
Not only homes were affected: huge damage to agriculture
The agricultural sector suffered serious damage. According to the Commissioner of the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization, more than 13,600 km² of land was engulfed in flames. Vineyards, crop fields, fruit trees, and pastures burned down. Fourteen farms within the fire zone, covering approximately 125 km², were also affected.
Loss assessment continues
The total amount of damage caused by the Limassol fire has not yet been officially announced, as experts continue to survey the affected areas and facilities. However, it is already clear that, in terms of the scale of the losses and the number of families affected, this fire could be one of the most devastating in Cyprus's recent history.