Allegations of threats and pressure against property owners in Larnaca were raised before the House Interior Committee as MPs discussed proposals to tighten the rules on foreign ownership of property in Cyprus.
AKEL MP Aristos Damianou said residents had faced organised pressure to sell their properties. The committee also heard concerns about whether some property transactions were taking place without sufficient transparency.
The proposals under discussion aim to strengthen checks, restrict indirect property purchases through Cypriot companies, and protect agricultural land and sensitive areas.
Allegations concern area behind the old GSP stadium
Damianou said people in the area behind the old GSP stadium in Larnaca were pressuring property owners to sell. He alleged that “thugs” were involved and that threats, intimidation and cash offers were used to secure deals.
He also said several plots in the area had been bought by Israeli buyers. He alleged that Greek Cypriots had, in some cases, been prevented from moving freely along public roads.
These claims were made before the committee. The material available for this report does not include evidence confirming them from the relevant authorities.
Damianou also raised concerns about transparency in property transfers in the Piale Pasha area. He said he suspected that some transactions may have taken place without the circumstances or people involved being clear.
MPs consider tighter checks on property transfers
The committee discussed possible weaknesses in the current legal framework, including cases where foreign nationals may acquire property indirectly.
One proposal, submitted by AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou on behalf of the party’s parliamentary group, would require the Director of the Department of Lands and Surveys to reject certain transactions if they breach legal restrictions. These include property transfers, the filing of sale contracts, exchanges and assignments of property.
The proposal would also remove provisions that allow foreign nationals to acquire property indirectly without the required approval from the Council of Ministers. It calls for stricter criteria and checks.
Proposed limits on agricultural land and sensitive areas
On 16 April 2026, a consolidated bill on foreign ownership of property was put forward for a vote in the House plenary.
The bill sets limits on the amount of land foreign nationals can acquire. It also proposes restrictions on forest and agricultural land, as well as property near the ceasefire line or critical infrastructure.
The measures form part of a wider effort to strengthen oversight of property transactions and protect land and locations considered particularly important.
Proposals target purchases through Cypriot companies
A separate bill submitted by DIKO MPs Zacharias Koulias, Panikos Leonidou and Chrysanthos Savvides focuses on the use of Cypriot companies and other legal entities to acquire property.
The proposal aims to prevent companies from being used as intermediaries to get around restrictions on foreign property purchases. It also seeks to protect agricultural land and the character of local communities.
The committee also considered a proposal by DISY Famagusta MP Nikos Georgiou to modernise parts of the legislation governing property acquisition by foreign nationals.
Committee discussion to continue in about 15 days
The House Interior Committee has completed its initial examination of the proposals. It is expected to continue its article-by-article discussion in about 15 days.
MPs are due to examine the proposed rules in more detail, including how effective the checks would be, whether they close possible legal loopholes, and how property ownership should be protected.
The allegations from Larnaca have added concerns about possible unlawful pressure on owners to the wider debate over foreign property purchases.
