The Cyprus Real Estate Market Continues to Surprise
According to data from the Department of Lands and Surveys (DLS), 1,964 sales contracts were deposited at the Land Registry offices in Cyprus in June 2026, compared to 1,544 in June 2025. This represents a 27% increase within a single year, marking an exceptionally high June figure—even surpassing June 2007, when 1,950 sales contracts were recorded.
Important Clarification: These figures refer to the deposition of sales contracts at the Land Registry, and do not necessarily reflect completed property transfers. Nevertheless, this remains one of the most vital metrics for understanding the actual pulse of the Cypriot real estate market.
Regional Breakdown: Limassol Takes the Lead
The main story of June belongs to Limassol. In the Limassol district, 727 sales contracts were deposited, compared to just 444 in June 2025—a 64% surge.
Paphos continued to show strong demand with 361 contracts (a 28% increase).
Nicosia rose to 392 contracts.
Larnaca reached 416 contracts.
Famagusta was the only district to record a slight decline, with 68 contracts compared to 69 last year.
The mid-year outlook reflects similar strength. In the first half of 2026, 10,007 sales contracts were deposited across Cyprus, compared to 8,729 during the same period in 2025—an increase of approximately 15%. Limassol leads in total volume with 3,264 contracts in the first half of the year, while Paphos showcases the highest growth rate at around 21%.
Foreign vs. Domestic Buyers
A breakdown of foreign buyers adds crucial depth to the picture. According to DLS data up to June 30, 2026, sales contracts were deposited by foreigners for 816 properties during the month of June:
297 properties by EU buyers.
519 properties by non-EU buyers.
This means that in terms of properties with deposited sales contracts, foreign buyers accounted for roughly 41.5% of the market, while the domestic market still comprised the majority.
Even in Limassol, despite its strong international reputation, the data does not point to a market solely reliant on foreigners. Out of the 727 sales contracts deposited in the district in June, 247 involved properties purchased by foreign buyers. This suggests that the surge in Limassol is driven not only by foreign demand but also by significant domestic activity.
Reading Between the Lines
However, these figures must be interpreted with caution. Official statistics do not always reveal the ultimate economic ownership behind a buyer. For instance, a Cypriot-registered company owned by foreign investors may appear in the data as a local buyer. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that the data indicates a blend of robust domestic demand and significant foreign interest—rather than a single, one-dimensional explanation.
Ultimately, these data points are essential because they showcase a vivid, active, and robust real estate market, but also one that requires careful analysis. An increase in the number of sales contracts does not automatically mean every price is justified, every area is equally strong, or all demand stems from the same source.
Cyprus continues to attract both local and foreign buyers, but the big question is not just how many contracts are being signed—but where, by whom, at what prices, and what the long-term impact will be on housing, investments, infrastructure, and the overall quality of life on the island.