Cyprus recorded a further increase in building activity in April 2026, with the state statistical service (Cystat) reporting that 639 building permits were authorised, up 10.7 per cent compared with the same month last year. 

The permits had a combined value of €413 million and covered 335,336 square metres, providing for the construction of 1,728 dwelling units. 

During the January to April 2026 period, the number of permits reached 2,915, compared with 2,157 a year earlier, representing an increase of 35.1 per cent. 

Meanwhile, their total value rose by 46.1 per cent, from €1.14 billion to €1.67bn, while the authorised floor area expanded by 45.5 per cent, from 927,996 to 1.35m square metres. 

The number of planned homes recorded the strongest increase, climbing by 65 per cent to 7,131 units, compared with 4,321 during the corresponding period of 2025. 

The residential sector did most of the heavy lifting. In April alone, 477 residential building permits were issued, bringing the four-month total to 2,154, up 33.6 per cent from 1,612 last year. 

Non-residential building permits rose more modestly by 4.9 per cent, from 243 to 255, including 43 issued in April. At the same time, civil engineering permits increased by 36 per cent to 170, with 38 authorised during the month. 

Activity involving the division of plots rose particularly sharply, with 270 permits issued during the four months, compared with 157 last year, an increase of 72 per cent. Road construction permits more than tripled from 20 to 66, recording growth of 230 per cent, although the category remained comparatively small, with nine permits issued in April. 

The authorised area of residential buildings increased by 66.9 per cent, reaching 1.23m square metres, compared with 738,562 square metres last year. Of this total, 323,444 square metres were approved in April. 

In contrast, the area covered by non-residential permits fell by 46.4 per cent, from 187,610 to 100,562 square metres, including 11,504 square metres in April. 

Civil engineering projects recorded the sharpest percentage increase, with their authorised area rising from just 1,824 square metres to 17,231 square metres, an increase of 844.7 per cent. April accounted for 388 square metres. 

A similar divide was visible in project values. Residential developments were valued at €1.43bn during the four-month period, up 66.6 per cent from €857.8m. Residential permits issued in April alone were worth €384.3m. 

By comparison, the value of non-residential projects fell by 36.6 per cent, from €227.3m to €144m, with April permits worth €14.2m. 

Civil engineering project values increased by 58.8 per cent to €76.4m, including €9.6m in April. The value of plot division projects doubled to €18.2m, while road construction values rose by 113.8 per cent to €3.3m. Their respective April values stood at €4.6m and €411,000. 

Apartment developments accounted for the bulk of the residential pipeline. Permits issued during the four months provided for 5,184 homes in residential apartment blocks, up 85.9 per cent from 2,789. In April alone, apartment blocks accounted for 1,361 of the 1,728 homes approved. 

A further 291 units were planned in residential and commercial apartment blocks, up 79.6 per cent, including 53 in April. 

Meanwhile, the number of single houses increased by 23.3 per cent to 1,237, with 229 approved during April. Homes in buildings containing two housing units rose by 14.2 per cent to 419, including 85 during the month. 

Although April extended the year-on-year rise, it was quieter than March, when 776 permits covering 353,900 square metres and 1,940 homes were authorised. 

The latest figures also follow Cystat data showing that construction output increased by 0.7 per cent during the first quarter, while construction prices rose by 4.7 per cent year-on-year. 

At the same time, Eurostat reported that house sales in Cyprus increased by 3.8 per cent in 2025, while house prices rose by 1.6 per cent during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter. 

Cystat explained that the figures cover permits for residential and non-residential buildings, civil engineering projects, plot divisions and road construction. They include demolition and reissued permits, but exclude renewals and permits for the division of buildings.