The number of building permits issued in Cyprus declined during the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. However, both the total value and total area of approved permits increased, according to the latest figures released by the Cyprus Statistical Service.
A total of 647 building permits were issued in August 2025. Cumulatively, permits issued between January and August reached 4,842; a fall of 4.3% compared with the 5,062 permits during the same period in 2024.
Despite the fall in the number of permits, those approved are expected to deliver 9,275 residential units, representing a 14.6% year-on-year increase, highlighting a clear shift towards larger-scale developments.
Strong growth in building permits area & value
The total area of approved building permits reached 1,998,548 sqm., up 16.1% compared with the first eight months of 2024. In value terms, the total worth of building permits reached €2.44 billion, an annual increase of 12.3%.
The area of residential buildings rose by 19.6%, non-residential buildings by 2.6%, and civil engineering projects by a notable 46.8%.
In value terms, residential developments reached €1.85 billion (+16.4%), while non-residential projects amounted to €469.2 million (+14.9%).
Falls were recorded in civil engineering works (-30.5%), land subdivisions (-23.6%), and road construction (-61.9%).
Residential property growth in most categories
Growth was recorded in nearly all types of residential property. Detached houses increased by 24.5%, reaching 2,325 units, while semi-detached houses rose by 16.4%. Apartment buildings also recorded strong growth of 18.6%.
However, mixed-use apartment buildings saw a sharp decline of 62.5%, with approvals falling to just 195 units.
Area by district: Strong growth in Nicosia and Limassol
A further analysis by stockwatch shows a large increase in the total construction area in Limassol and Nicosia during the period January – August 2025.
Limassol posted a 40.1% increase, reaching 712,600 sqm, Nicosia followed with a 25.3% rise, totalling 692,900 sqm. However, falls were recorded in Paphos (-16.3%), Famagusta (-16.6%), and Larnaca (-3.9%).
Compared with 2019, the total area of approved building permits across Cyprus has increased by 29.9%. Nicosia shows the strongest five-year growth (+68.2%), while Paphos is the only district recording a fall (-6.4%).
The “Ippodamos” system
Since July 2024, the authority for issuing building permits has transferred from the municipalities and district administration offices to the District Local Government Organisations (DLGOs). All applications are now processed through the “Ippodamos” digital system.
The implementation of this new framework continues to influence data flows, mainly due to ongoing technical and organisational adjustments, which remain a key factor when interpreting recent statistics.
