Cyprus’ House of Representatives is accelerating debate on a bill that would limit non-EU nationals to a single residential unit and prohibit the purchase of agricultural or forest land. The Interior Committee completed article-by-article scrutiny in an extended session that ran into the early hours of 6 March, clearing the way for a plenary vote before the chamber adjourns for Easter.
![Parliament Fast-Tracks Bill to Cap Property Purchases by Non-EU Nationals]()
For non-EU nationals trying to keep pace with Cyprus’ shifting entry and residence requirements, VisaHQ can provide invaluable support. Its Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) consolidates the latest visa information, document checklists, and expert assistance, helping travelers, expatriates, and potential investors remain compliant as regulations evolve.
MPs backing the measure argue it is a necessary follow-up to the abolition of the citizenship-by-investment programme, seeking to cool an overheated property market and curb speculative land banking. Data presented to lawmakers show that foreign buyers accounted for 27 % of all real-estate transactions in 2024, with concentrations above 50 % in Paphos and Limassol. The draft law widens the definition of a “foreign-controlled company” to include any entity whose beneficial owner is a third-country national, closing loopholes exploited to accumulate multiple properties. Commercial real estate remains outside the cap for now, after hoteliers warned of unintended damage to tourism investment. Property developers and relocation advisers fear the restrictions could complicate mobility planning for expatriate staff, who often purchase homes as part of long-term assignments. Some are advising transferees to sign long-duration leases instead of buying until the legislative picture clarifies. If enacted, the rules will join a string of tighter immigration and investment controls rolled out since 2025, underscoring Cyprus’ shift from quantity to quality in attracting foreign capital.
For non-EU nationals trying to keep pace with Cyprus’ shifting entry and residence requirements, VisaHQ can provide invaluable support. Its Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) consolidates the latest visa information, document checklists, and expert assistance, helping travelers, expatriates, and potential investors remain compliant as regulations evolve.
MPs backing the measure argue it is a necessary follow-up to the abolition of the citizenship-by-investment programme, seeking to cool an overheated property market and curb speculative land banking. Data presented to lawmakers show that foreign buyers accounted for 27 % of all real-estate transactions in 2024, with concentrations above 50 % in Paphos and Limassol. The draft law widens the definition of a “foreign-controlled company” to include any entity whose beneficial owner is a third-country national, closing loopholes exploited to accumulate multiple properties. Commercial real estate remains outside the cap for now, after hoteliers warned of unintended damage to tourism investment. Property developers and relocation advisers fear the restrictions could complicate mobility planning for expatriate staff, who often purchase homes as part of long-term assignments. Some are advising transferees to sign long-duration leases instead of buying until the legislative picture clarifies. If enacted, the rules will join a string of tighter immigration and investment controls rolled out since 2025, underscoring Cyprus’ shift from quantity to quality in attracting foreign capital.
