Cyprus property sale contracts rise 14% in first nine months of 2026

Nicosia, Cyprus. Property sale contracts in Cyprus increased by 14% during January–September 2026 compared with the corresponding period of 2025, according to BuySell’s analysis of Department of Lands and Surveys figures. September set a record for the month, while Larnaca registered the fastest annual growth and Limassol retained the largest market.

Contract numbers rise throughout the year

BuySell, the largest property platform in Cyprus, reported that buyers lodged 1,681 sale contracts with the department in September 2026. That was 13% higher than September 2025’s 1,484 and the highest September figure recorded.

The January–September total reached 14,969, an increase of 1,796 over the equivalent 2025 period. It already represented 83% of the 18,114 contracts recorded during the whole of 2025.

The analysis showed that contract numbers exceeded their year-earlier levels in every month of 2026 so far. Growth reached at least 10% in eight months; May was the exception, with a 5% increase. June had the steepest annual rise, at 27%, while July’s 2,040 contracts established an all-time monthly record. The customary August slowdown brought the figure to 1,241, still 10% higher than in August 2025.

Monthly contract numbers averaged 1,663 over the nine months, compared with 1,464 a year earlier. BuySell’s analysis indicated that maintaining this rate would bring the 2026 total close to 20,000, substantially above 2025’s 18,114.

District performance differs

September figures showed Larnaca rising from 305 contracts to 393, a 29% increase. Limassol recorded 506, up 16%, accounting for nearly a third of Cyprus’s sales. Paphos reached 345, an increase of 10%, and Nicosia recorded 374, up 7%.

Only the free Famagusta area recorded a decline, with contracts dropping 20%, from 79 to 63.

For January–September, Limassol ranked first with 4,860 contracts, up 17%. Larnaca followed with 3,291, up 15%; Nicosia had 3,163, up 6%; Paphos recorded 2,999, up 18%; and Famagusta had 656, up 5%.

Together, Limassol and Paphos accounted for 1,172 of the additional 1,796 contracts, contributing approximately two-thirds of the overall increase, according to the analysis.

Foreign buyers account for 41.9% of contracts

Non-Cypriots signed 705 contracts in September, representing 41.9% of the monthly total of 1,681. Non-EU buyers accounted for 495, a 26% annual increase, while EU citizens signed 210, up 4%. Contracts signed by Cypriots increased 10% to 976.

During January–September, foreign buyers signed 6,267 contracts, comprising 2,094 by EU citizens and 4,173 by citizens of countries outside the EU. Their share again stood at 41.9%, with the total approximately a fifth higher than a year earlier.

The district breakdown for January–July showed that foreign buyers accounted for 1,667 of Paphos’s 2,387 contracts, or 69.8%. Their shares were 46.6% in Larnaca, 46.5% in Famagusta, 36.5% in Limassol and 15.9% in Nicosia.

Completed transfers total €2.70 billion

The department’s January–July 2026 records showed 11,522 completed transfer transactions involving 12,857 properties, with declared values totalling €2.70 billion. These transfers reflect money changing hands and amounted to 57% of the €4.7 billion recorded for all of 2025.

June established a monthly value record of €541 million, followed by €468 million in July. Transfer data take longer to publish than sale-contract figures, making January–July the latest period available for this release.

Limassol accounted for €1,084 million, or 40% of the Cyprus-wide value. Nicosia followed at €567 million, representing 21%; Paphos at €543 million, or 20%; Larnaca at €375 million, or 14%; and Famagusta at €130 million, or 5%.

Over the same seven months, 2,683 properties were transferred to foreign buyers, representing 20.9% of all properties transferred. The foreign-buyer share was 41.7% in Paphos and 9.0% in Nicosia.

The analysis attributed the difference between foreign buyers’ shares of contracts and completed transfers to off-plan purchases, for which ownership transfers only after construction finishes.