Almost 38,000 applications are currently pending, as local self-government organizations (ΕΟΑ – District Self-Government Authorities) are overwhelmed with requests from residents. As of August 2025, there were 16,526 applications for planning permits and 21,450 applications for building licenses under review, totaling 37,976 requests.
Where the Situation Is Most Pressing
According to the Ministry of Interior of Cyprus, the processing speed varies greatly across regions:
- Nicosia: 83% of planning permit applications and 143% of building license applications (including older cases) are being processed.
- Limassol: 106% and 128%, respectively.
- Larnaca: even higher productivity — 137% and 163%.
- Paphos: a record 175% for planning permits and 109% for building licenses.
- Free areas of Famagusta: 113% and 133%, respectively.
Despite these high processing rates, the overall number of applications remains very high, causing long delays for many applicants.
Ministry of Interior’s Position
Minister of Interior Konstantinos Ioannou acknowledged that the local government reform — which transferred licensing responsibilities to the ΕΟΑ — has been a major challenge. To speed up the process, the state has implemented 22 measures to simplify licensing, introduced an automated application system, strengthened staff capacity, and stopped transferring 60% of revenues to municipalities, instead leaving funds with the organizations themselves to ensure their sustainability.
The minister highlighted positive trends: the number of old unresolved cases has dropped by around 25%, and overall productivity is gradually improving. However, staff shortages in some ΕΟΑ offices continue to slow the process.
Specific Figures by Application Categories
In categories with a 40-working-day review limit, partial improvements were recorded:
- For private house construction, 957 applications were submitted, of which 625 were processed.
- For two-unit housing projects, 407 applications, with 243 processed.
- For more complex projects, such as apartment buildings up to 20 units, 201 applications were submitted, with 122 reviewed.
Outlook and Reform Prospects
According to ΕΟΑ, the situation is gradually stabilizing, with fewer old applications pending. In February 2025, there were 7,658 unprocessed planning permit applications across the country, compared to 5,746 by August. Similarly, building license backlogs decreased from 12,365 in February to 9,277 in August.
Experts believe that if current processing rates continue, the backlog could be significantly reduced by mid-2026. An additional factor will be the introduction of electronic document management and an online platform for application tracking, scheduled for completion in 2026.