Cyprus’s property market is entering autumn 2026 with a new record. During the first eight months of the year, 13,288 property sale contracts were registered across the island, representing a 13.7% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
This is the strongest January-to-August result on record. Importantly, the increase has not been driven by a single exceptional month. Transaction volumes have remained above last year’s levels throughout 2026, indicating broad and sustained demand.
Even August, traditionally one of the quieter months for the Cypriot property market, ended on a strong note. A total of 1,241 sale contracts were registered during the month, up 10% year-on-year.
This suggests that demand for property in Cyprus remains resilient despite several years of rising prices and transaction activity.
Growth Has Remained Consistent Throughout the Year
The summer months provide a clear indication of the market’s underlying strength. June recorded the strongest annual growth rate of 2026, with the number of registered transactions increasing by 27.2%.
In July, the market exceeded 2,000 monthly transactions for the first time this year. Even May, which showed the most moderate performance, still ended 4.8% higher than the same month in 2025.
The record result for the first eight months of the year therefore cannot be explained by a short-term surge in activity. Instead, it reflects a broader increase in demand across several regions of the country.
Larnaca Continues to Gain Momentum
One of the most notable trends in 2026 has been the acceleration of the Larnaca market.
In August, 299 sale contracts were registered in the district, compared with 221 a year earlier. This represents growth of 35.3% — the strongest monthly performance among all districts in Cyprus.
Larnaca’s recent momentum continues a trend that has become increasingly visible over the past several quarters. The city is gradually developing into a standalone investment destination rather than simply being viewed as a more affordable alternative to Limassol or Paphos.
Several factors are supporting this shift, including urban infrastructure improvements, the redevelopment of coastal areas, investment in port and marina infrastructure, and an expanding supply of modern residential projects.
At the same time, interest is growing among both domestic buyers and international investors.
Paphos also recorded strong growth in August, with transactions rising by 19.7% year-on-year, while Nicosia increased by 8.2%.
Limassol Remains the Largest Market
Against the backdrop of strong growth elsewhere, August was the first month in 2026 in which Limassol recorded a modest annual decline. The number of registered contracts fell by 5% to 395 transactions.
However, this monthly correction does not materially change the broader picture.
Between January and August, Limassol recorded 4,354 property transactions, accounting for almost one-third of all sales across Cyprus during the period.
Compared with the previous year, the Limassol market expanded by approximately 17%, confirming its position as the island’s largest property market and one of the main centres of international demand.
At the same time, the balance between regions is gradually shifting. Paphos recorded the highest growth rate over the first eight months of the year, with transaction volumes increasing by almost 20%. Larnaca also continues to post strong growth, while Nicosia remains a more stable and less volatile market.
This dynamic is gradually making the Cypriot property market more geographically diversified, with investment activity becoming less concentrated in just one or two major cities.
Foreign Buyers Are Increasing Their Share of the Market
International demand remains another important driver of market activity.
Between January and July 2026, foreign buyers completed 4,980 property transactions in Cyprus. This was 20.3% higher than during the same period a year earlier.
Foreign purchasers accounted for 41.3% of all registered sale contracts, up from 39.2% in the previous year. In July alone, international buyers completed a record 829 transactions.
The composition of foreign demand is also evolving. Activity among buyers from EU countries increased by 23%, slightly outpacing the 18.9% growth recorded among buyers from outside the European Union.
Nevertheless, non-EU purchasers still represent the majority of international demand, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all foreign transactions.
Cyprus therefore continues to attract a broad international buyer base, combining demand from European markets with capital from the United Kingdom, the Middle East and other regions.
International Demand Varies Significantly by Region
The geographical distribution of foreign buyers differs considerably across the island.
In Paphos, international purchasers account for almost 70% of all property transactions, making it one of the most internationally driven markets in Cyprus.
In Larnaca and Famagusta, foreign buyers represent approximately 46% of transactions. In Limassol, the share stands at around 36.5%.
Nicosia follows a distinctly different pattern. International buyers account for less than 16% of transactions, meaning that local demand remains the primary driver of the market.
For investors, these differences are increasingly important. Cyprus’s regional property markets now differ not only in price levels and product mix, but also in buyer structure.
Paphos is strongly oriented towards international and lifestyle demand. Limassol combines foreign capital with robust demand from the business and professional community. Larnaca is expanding across several segments simultaneously, while Nicosia remains a more locally driven and comparatively stable market.
Cyprus Is Becoming a More Diversified Property Market
The key takeaway from the first eight months of 2026 is not simply that transaction volumes have reached another record.
Cyprus’s property market is becoming both more international and more geographically diversified.
Limassol continues to lead in total transaction volume, while Paphos and Larnaca are growing at a faster pace. The share of foreign buyers is increasing, and international demand is spreading across several different regions of the island.
For investors, this creates a wider range of possible strategies. The choice between Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos is increasingly defined not only by budget, but also by investment objective — whether the priority is capital appreciation, rental demand, exposure to international buyers or access to a more mature urban market.
The record 13,288 transactions registered during the first eight months of the year confirm that interest in Cypriot real estate remains strong. More importantly, the structure of this growth is changing: the market is expanding across several regions while international capital continues to strengthen its presence.
This combination of sustained demand, broader geographic participation and a growing share of foreign buyers is shaping the Cyprus property market in the second half of 2026.