The Cyprus Department of Lands and Surveys has released data showing who is buying property on the island most actively and in which districts demand is growing the fastest.
Local buyers
In August 2026, Cypriot citizens remained the largest group of property buyers. They accounted for 659 sale agreements, or 53% of all transactions during the month. Compared with August 2025, property sales to Cypriot buyers increased by 2%. However, the trend varied significantly across districts.
The strongest growth was recorded in Larnaca, where the number of transactions involving local buyers increased by 47%. In Nicosia, the figure rose by 7%. At the same time, sales to Cypriot buyers fell by 19% in the government-controlled areas of Famagusta, by 16% in Limassol and by 3% in Paphos.
Looking at the first 8 months of 2026, the picture appears more stable: in every district, property sales to Cypriot buyers were higher than during the same period last year. Limassol recorded the strongest growth, with transactions involving local buyers increasing by 19%. In the government-controlled areas of Famagusta, growth reached 7%, while Nicosia and Larnaca each recorded an increase of 5%. The smallest rise was recorded in Paphos, at 3%.
Buyers from EU countries
The second category consists of citizens of other European Union countries. In August 2026, they concluded 197 agreements, accounting for 16% of all registered property transactions in Cyprus. Compared with August 2025, sales to EU citizens increased by 27%.
Only Nicosia recorded a decline, of 6%. In all other districts, demand from EU buyers increased. Limassol showed a particularly strong result. After sales fell by 32% in July, the number of transactions involving EU citizens rose sharply in August — by 89% compared with August last year. Sales increased by 11% in Paphos, by 10% in the government-controlled areas of Famagusta and by 6% in Larnaca.
During the first 8 months of 2026, demand from EU citizens increased by 23% compared with the same period in 2025. The strongest growth was recorded in Paphos, at 42%. Larnaca ranked second with growth of 33%. Sales to EU citizens increased by 9% in Limassol and by 8% in Nicosia. Negative figures were recorded only in the government-controlled areas of Famagusta (-2%).
Buyers from third countries
Citizens of non-EU countries accounted for 385 agreements in August, or 31% of all property transactions in Cyprus. Compared with August 2025, the number of sales to this category of buyers increased by 19%. Limassol was the only district to record a decline (-6%). The strongest growth was recorded in Paphos, where sales to third-country nationals increased by 40%. In Nicosia, growth reached 33%, in Larnaca 31%, and in the government-controlled areas of Famagusta 7%.
Looking at the period since the beginning of the year, property sales to third-country nationals were almost twice as high as sales to EU citizens. During the first 8 months of 2026, the number of such transactions increased by 19%, with positive growth recorded in every district. In Paphos, Larnaca and the government-controlled areas of Famagusta, sales increased by 21% in each district. Growth reached 16% in Limassol and 12% in Nicosia.
Where foreigners buy the most property
Together, EU citizens and buyers from non-EU countries accounted for 47% of all property transactions during the first 8 months of 2026. The role of foreign buyers is particularly significant in Paphos. During this period, EU and third-country nationals purchased 1,159 properties there, while Cypriot buyers accounted for 783 transactions. This means that foreigners bought significantly more property than local residents. Larnaca is another district that is becoming increasingly attractive to buyers from third countries.