Regional Organizations for Local Government (EOA) in Cyprus report significant improvements in processing building and urban planning permits. Between January 1 and May 31, 2026, the EOA of Famagusta recorded high completion rates across all municipal districts, with figures exceeding 100% in some categories due to the processing of legacy applications.

Separately, the EOA of Nicosia has faced a massive administrative challenge, having inherited 325,000 physical files and 1,644 case files regarding hazardous buildings. Despite these initial structural difficulties, the Nicosia branch reported a 44% increase in issued building permits for the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. According to Nicosia EOA President Konstantinos Yiorkatzis, 3,170 building permits were issued in 2025, marking one of the highest performances in a decade. The current 2026 figures are noted as the second-best performance since 2003.

These developments follow the local government reform implemented on July 1, 2024, which reorganized administrative responsibilities. The authorities state that these efforts demonstrate enhanced operational efficiency in managing urban development applications, which aims to provide faster service to citizens and professionals in the land development sector.