Cyprus has opened applications for a new housing programme. The scheme allows eligible beneficiaries to purchase land for building a home at just 25% of its market value. Applications can be submitted until November 30, 2026. At the first stage, the government plans to allocate more than 570 plots.
Programme details
Families will initially be offered plots left over from previous subdivisions of state-owned land. On September 28, the District Administrations published the first lists of communities and municipal districts where the plots are located. The Ministry of the Interior plans to gradually add new options once the necessary preparatory work is completed. It should be noted that the land is being provided for the construction of a primary residence, not for investment projects.
Cyprus citizens who meet the established requirements can participate in the programme. Applications may be submitted by:
- couples with or without children;
- single-parent families;
- families in which at least one adult is under the age of 45 at the time of application.
Maximum annual household income before tax has also been set:
- €45,000 — for a couple or single parent;
- €50,000 — for a three-person household;
- €55,000 — for a four-person household;
- €65,000 — for households of five or more people.
The allocation of plots will take into account citizenship, age, family composition, income and place of permanent residence. Priority will be given to permanent residents of the community where the plot is located. They will be followed by displaced persons, returning emigrants and residents of neighbouring communities located within a 15 km radius. If several applicants meet the same conditions, priority will be given to larger families.
How to apply and what happens after receiving a plot
To participate, applicants must complete a special form and submit it to the District Administration of the area where the land is located. The application form, lists of available plots and detailed programme guidelines are published on the websites of the relevant authorities and the Ministry of the Interior. The exact list of required documents is specified in the programme guide. Applicants will need to provide evidence of citizenship, age, family composition, income and place of residence. Once a plot has been granted, the family must build a house on it within three years of signing the agreement.
Until construction is completed, the plot cannot be transferred to another person. After the house is completed, it also cannot be sold or transferred to another owner for a further five years. The programme is therefore intended primarily for families who need land to build their own permanent home, rather than for the subsequent resale of property.