Cyprus property market trends in 2026 by the numbers

The Cyprus property market entered the final quarter of 2026 with momentum on both prices and volumes. Official statistics show house price growth accelerating in the second quarter, while Department of Lands and Surveys (DLS) data show sale contracts rising in every month of the year so far. Foreign buyers remain a large part of the picture, particularly in Paphos and Larnaca. This overview gathers the latest published figures as of October 2026 and explains what they do and do not show.

The figures sit alongside our practical guide to buying property in Cyprus as a non-EU national and our article on property taxes and costs.

Prices are rising faster

According to preliminary figures from the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat), as reported on 30 September 2026, the house price index reached 105.46 points in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 102.95 in the first quarter. That represents a 2.4% quarterly increase and a 7.9% annual increase, up from 3.4% annual growth in the first quarter.

Both segments contributed. The sub-index for new dwellings rose to 105.73 from 103.25, and the sub-index for existing dwellings to 105.10 from 102.51. The index measures average residential prices including the land component.

The Central Bank of Cyprus also publishes a residential property price index based on valuation data, which offers a complementary view by property type and district. Because the two indices use different methods and data, their figures for the same quarter can differ, and it is sensible to read them together rather than rely on a single number.

Transactions keep climbing

Department of Lands and Surveys (DLS) statistics show that 14,969 sale contracts were deposited between January and September 2026, an increase of 1,796, or about 14%, on the 13,173 deposited in the same period of 2025. September alone saw 1,681 contracts, the highest September figure in the DLS series, and July’s 2,040 contracts were the highest monthly total since 2007.

District differences

For the first nine months, the analysis reports the following contract totals and annual changes:

• Limassol, 4,860 contracts, up 17%;
• Larnaca, 3,291, up 15%;
• Nicosia, 3,163, up 6%;
• Paphos, 2,999, up 18%;
• Famagusta (free area), 656, up 5%.

The tax difference between a new home and a resale is explained in our article on new-build and resale property.

The role of foreign buyers

Non-Cypriot buyers signed 6,267 contracts in the first nine months, or 41.9% of the total, of which 4,173 were by buyers from outside the EU and 2,094 by EU citizens. In Paphos, foreign buyers accounted for nearly 70% of contracts from January to July.

The share of completed transfers to foreign buyers is lower, at about 21% of properties transferred from January to July. The analysis attributes the difference to off-plan purchases, where ownership passes only after construction is complete.

For buyers who also plan to apply for residence, our Cyprus residency page sets out how a qualifying purchase fits into the permit process.

Reading the figures carefully

Sale contracts measure agreements deposited at the DLS, not completed transactions, and include off-plan units that may not transfer for some time. Price indices are averages and can mask wide differences between a new seafront apartment in Limassol and an older house inland. Preliminary statistics may also be revised.

Several factors are worth monitoring into 2027: the path of euro area interest rates, construction costs, the supply of new homes in the main cities, and any further policy changes affecting non-EU buyers or the 5% VAT rate. Our Cyprus residency page sets out how property purchases link to residence applications.

What this means for buyers

Rising prices and volumes suggest a market with sustained demand, but they do not guarantee future returns. Buyers comparing locations often look at rental demand, infrastructure projects and the balance between local and international buyers in each district. Careful due diligence on title, permits and developer track record remains as important as market timing.

Investors weighing a purchase as a route to residence should read our comparison of Malta MPRP and Cyprus permanent residency.

If you would like to talk through how these rules might apply to your own circumstances, our team would be glad to help. You can call +357 979 42 388 or write to us through our contact page.

Sources

• Statistical Service of Cyprus, House price index, Q2 2026 preliminary.
• Department of Lands and Surveys, Sales documents statistics 2025 and 2026.
• Statistical Service of Cyprus, House Price Index (base year 2025=100), quarterly, updated 30 September 2026.
• Central Bank of Cyprus, Residential property price index Q2 2026.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Figures are stated as of 2026 and may change; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and an independent adviser before acting. AT Express is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government or official programme.

Featured image: Photograph of residential towers in Limassol by Global Donald, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication).