The government of Cyprus has decided to increase the maximum allowable amount of expenses that are officially recognized when restoring historical and protected buildings. This decision was approved by the Council of Ministers as part of a large-scale reform program aimed at improving the management system for architectural heritage sites.
The Ministry of Interior explained that the changes are necessary to adapt existing rules to the current economic situation. In recent years, the cost of construction materials and work has increased significantly, so the previous financial limits no longer reflected the real costs of restoring historic buildings.
Why the authorities decided to change restoration rules
According to the Ministry of Interior, in recent years expenses for construction materials and services in the construction sector have increased by approximately 25–30%. This directly affected the cost of restoring historical buildings. As a result, many owners of such properties postponed restoration because the officially recognized expenses were significantly lower than the actual costs.
The new government decision is intended to reduce the gap between the actual cost of work and the amounts that are recognized by the state when supporting restoration projects.
It is expected that the updated rules will make the restoration of historical buildings more accessible and motivate owners to preserve and restore them.
New limits on restoration expenses
After the approval of the changes, the maximum level of restoration expenses recognized by the state for protected buildings increases. For buildings with an area of up to 300 m2, the maximum amount increases from 1.4 thousand euros per 1 m2 to 1.7 thousand euros per 1 m2.
For properties with an area from 301 m2 to one thousand m2, the limit increases from 1.3 thousand euros per 1 m2 to 1.6 thousand euros per 1 m2. If the building area exceeds one thousand m2, the maximum recognized restoration cost increases from 1 thousand euros per 1 m2 to 1.3 thousand euros per 1 m2. According to the authorities, such changes will significantly bring the calculated expenses closer to the real cost of restoration work.
New measures to protect historical architecture
The increase in funding limits is only part of a broader reform. The Ministry of Interior is preparing a comprehensive set of measures aimed at preserving the architectural heritage of Cyprus and simplifying procedures for owners of historic properties.
One of the key initiatives will be the introduction of an accelerated procedure for obtaining permits to restore protected buildings. This will significantly reduce bureaucratic timeframes and speed up the start of work.
The possibility is also being considered of exempting certain low-risk projects from the mandatory requirement of obtaining a full construction permit. Such a measure will help launch restoration projects more quickly, especially when it comes to small repair works.
Digitalization and new services for building owners
As part of the reform, it is planned to create a unified digital database of the so-called “preservation coefficient” of historical buildings. In addition, the authorities intend to introduce a single service center where owners will be able to obtain all necessary permits and consultations.
Regional offices of the department for the preservation of architectural heritage will be opened, and a large-scale program for the digitalization of the country’s cultural sites will also be carried out.
Additionally, a detailed guide for the restoration of historic buildings is planned to be prepared. It will be intended for property owners, architects, engineers, and regulatory authorities and will help ensure restoration work is carried out correctly.
Preservation of historical centers of cities and villages
Cyprus has a large number of historical buildings, especially in the old districts of cities and traditional villages. Many of them belong to different historical periods — from the Ottoman and British eras to earlier architectural traditions of the island.
In recent years, the authorities have been paying increasing attention to the preservation of historical development, as it plays an important role in the development of tourism and the cultural identity of the country. Restored buildings are often converted into boutique hotels, restaurants, museums, and cultural spaces, which contributes to the development of the local economy.
The government believes that the new rules will make it possible to create a more flexible and modern system for managing historical sites. In the long term, this should help preserve the unique architecture of Cyprus while also stimulating investment in the restoration and reuse of historic buildings.