The Cyprus property market set a new all-time record in April 2026. According to the Department of Lands and Surveys, 1,611 property sale contracts were registered during the month. This is 15% more than in April 2025, when 1,404 transactions were completed. The figure became the highest ever recorded and surpassed even the peak reached in 2007.
However, the main trend of 2026 is not only the volume of sales, but also the changing profile of buyers. Foreign purchasers — both citizens of the European Union and investors from third countries — are playing an increasingly significant role in the market.
Cypriots remain the main buyers
Despite the strong activity of overseas investors, local residents continue to form the foundation of the Cyprus property market. In April, Cypriot citizens completed 962 transactions, accounting for nearly 60% of all property sales on the island. Compared with the previous year, demand from Cypriots increased by 13%. Particularly strong growth was recorded in :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}, where the number of transactions rose by 37%. In :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}, growth reached 20%, while in :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} it stood at 16%.
Experts attribute this trend to sustained demand for apartments and houses for owner occupation. Many Cyprus residents continue to buy homes due to rising rental rates, which in major cities have increased by dozens of percentage points in recent years. The issue of housing affordability is especially acute in Limassol and Larnaca, where prices continue to reach new highs amid strong demand and limited supply.
EU buyers are actively returning to the market
Citizens of European Union countries are also strengthening their presence in the Cyprus property market. In April, they completed 197 transactions, which is 6% more than a year earlier. The most notable increase in interest from Europeans was observed in Paphos, where the number of purchases rose by 50%. Sales are also growing actively in Larnaca and :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Market specialists link this trend to continued demand for seaside property, Cyprus’s favourable tax regime, and a stable banking system. For many Europeans, the island remains an attractive destination both for relocation and for investment in holiday homes. Another supporting factor is the rise of remote work. More and more EU citizens are choosing Cyprus as a permanent place of residence thanks to its warm climate, safety, and relatively low cost of living compared with other Mediterranean countries.
Third-country investors are accelerating market growth
The strongest growth was recorded among buyers from countries outside the European Union. In April 2026, they completed 452 transactions — 23% more than a year earlier. Demand rose particularly sharply in Paphos and Nicosia. In Paphos, the number of purchases by third-country nationals increased by 64%, while in the capital it surged by 60%.
During the first four months of 2026, non-EU buyers acquired 1,821 properties. This represents a 21% increase compared with the same period of the previous year.
The main buyers continue to include investors from the Middle East, :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}, :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}, Asian countries, and the :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}. Many view Cyprus as a safe jurisdiction for preserving capital amid geopolitical instability in the region. Experts note that tensions in the Middle East and the possibility of rising military risks continue to stimulate demand for Cypriot property. The island is increasingly seen as a “safe haven” for families, businesses, and international companies.
Paphos is becoming the main magnet for foreign buyers
Paphos has become the most international property market in Cyprus in 2026. Foreign buyers are purchasing twice as many properties there as Cypriot citizens. The reasons for this strong interest include the active construction of new residential developments, the presence of an international airport, the region’s popularity among British buyers, and high demand for villas and seafront apartments. In addition, Paphos remains one of the more affordable regions of the island compared with Limassol, where property prices have risen particularly sharply in recent years.
Analysts believe that the Cyprus property market is showing no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, the continuing inflow of foreign buyers and the limited supply of housing may lead to further price increases in 2026. Additional pressure is coming from higher construction material costs, rising land prices, and elevated borrowing costs. Against this backdrop, both renting and buying homes continue to become more expensive in virtually all major cities across the island.
In the first four months of 2026, a total of 6,320 property transactions were registered in Cyprus, 14% more than during the same period last year. Experts predict that if the current pace continues, 2026 could become one of the strongest years for the Cyprus property market in the past two decades.