Cyprus cabinet approves reform for building permit fees

On October 27, 2026, the Cypriot cabinet approved a proposal from the Ministry of Interior to overhaul the calculation system for building permit fees. Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou announced that the existing, complex framework will be replaced by a modernized, uniform system designed to reduce bureaucracy and accelerate the processing of applications for citizens, researchers, and construction professionals.

Key changes include the abolition of the current geographical classification system, which previously divided Cyprus into three zones with varying cost factors. Furthermore, the authorities are eliminating the graduated fee scale based on surface area for both buildings and land division into plots. The new regulations also introduce clearer provisions for fee payments and, significantly, establish specific guidelines regarding potential refunds.

This initiative is part of a broader fast-track licensing reform, which has already successfully processed over 3,000 permits within 40 to 80 working days. The proposal has now been forwarded to the Parliament of Cyprus for final review and legislative approval to formalize the new methodology.