Cyprus’ construction market gained significant momentum at the beginning of 2026. According to data from the Statistical Service, from January to April 2026, the total area of projects granted building permits reached 1,350,597 m2, compared with 927,996 m2 a year earlier. This represents an increase of 45.5%. Residential projects were the main driver of growth. Their total area increased by 66.9% to 1,232,804 m2, compared with 738,562 m2 in the first four months of 2025.
The volume of civil engineering projects increased particularly sharply, from 1,824 m2 to 17,231 m2, representing growth of 844.7%. At the same time, the area of non-residential buildings decreased by 46.4% to 100,562 m2, compared with 187,610 m2 a year earlier. Across Cyprus, the total area of projects with building permits was 93.3% higher than in the same period of 2019.
Larnaca Records Exceptional Growth
The strongest growth among Cyprus’ districts was recorded in Larnaca. The area of approved projects reached 290.4 thousand m2, compared with 108.2 thousand m2 in the first four months of 2025. This represents an increase of 168.3%. Compared with 2019, the figure increased by 223.8%.
Paphos ranked second, with the area of projects increasing to 141.2 thousand m2 from 70.9 thousand m2, or by 99%. Compared with 2019, growth amounted to 103.5%. Nicosia recorded the largest overall volume at 489.4 thousand m2, compared with 298.9 thousand m2 a year earlier. This represents an increase of 63.8%. Compared with 2019, growth reached 189.8%.
In Limassol, growth was considerably more moderate: 401.0 thousand m2 compared with 390.7 thousand m2, representing an increase of 2.6%. Compared with 2019, the figure increased by 14.3%. The free areas of Famagusta were the only region of Cyprus where the area of approved projects declined. The figure fell by 51.7% to 28.6 thousand m2, from 59.3 thousand m2 in 2025. However, compared with 2019, the area was still 44.3% higher.
Value of Projects Reaches €1.671 Billion
The increase in construction volume has been accompanied by a rise in the value of new projects. The total value of building permits issued in the first four months of 2026 amounted to €1.671 billion, compared with €1.144 billion a year earlier. The annual increase reached 46.1%. The value of approved residential projects increased by 66.6% to €1.429 billion, from €857.8 million. The value of civil engineering projects increased by 58.8% to €76.4 million, compared with €48.1 million.
The value of permits for land subdivision doubled to €18.2 million from €9.1 million, while road construction recorded growth of 113.8%, reaching €3.3 million compared with €1.6 million. Non-residential buildings accounted for €144.0 million, down 36.6% from €227.3 million a year earlier.
7,131 Residential Units Planned in Cyprus
From January to April 2026, a total of 2,915 building permits were issued in Cyprus, compared with 2,157 during the same period of 2025. This represents an increase of 35.1%. The number of permits for residential buildings increased by 33.6% to 2,154 from 1,612. A total of 255 permits were issued for non-residential buildings, compared with 243, representing growth of 4.9%. The number of permits for civil engineering projects increased by 36.0% to 170 from 125. Permits for land subdivision increased by 72.0% to 270 from 157, while permits for road construction rose to 66 from 20, an increase of 230%.
In April 2026 alone, 639 permits were issued, 10.7% more than a year earlier. Their total value amounted to €413.0 million, while their total area reached 335.3 thousand m2. These projects provide for the construction of 1,728 residential units. Overall, permits issued during the first four months of 2026 provide for the construction of 7,131 residential units in Cyprus, compared with 4,321 a year earlier. This represents growth of 65%.
The strongest growth was recorded in apartment buildings: the number of apartments in such developments increased by 85.9% to 5,184 from 2,789. The number of apartments in mixed-use apartment developments rose by 79.6% to 291 from 162. The number of permits issued for detached houses increased by 23.3% to 1,237 from 1,003, while permits for semi-detached houses increased by 14.2% to 419 from 367.
The increase in construction activity comes amid continued demand for housing and rising construction material costs in Cyprus. Since July 1, 2024, responsibility for issuing building permits has been transferred from local authorities to the District Local Government Organisations (EOA). At the same time, the electronic Hippodamus platform began operating, processing building applications, including previously accumulated paper applications.