Cyprus and Greece implement new property and housing regulations

In Cyprus, the House Internal Affairs Committee has reopened discussions regarding restrictions on land acquisition by third-country nationals. Lawmakers are seeking a legal formula to address restrictions on legal entities, as current laws treat foreign-owned companies registered in Cyprus as local entities, potentially creating issues of unequal treatment. Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou stated that existing legislation already restricts natural persons, such as prohibiting land acquisition outside development limits to protect agricultural land and areas near vital infrastructure. The committee aims to finalize a text for the Plenary by early October.

In Greece, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has introduced a new legislative framework for housing assistance following natural disasters. The reform digitizes the process through the ‘e-Licenses’ platform and offers beneficiaries more flexibility. Notably, owners are no longer required to use aid exclusively for repairing damaged properties; they may instead choose to reconstruct a new building elsewhere, complete an unfinished property, or use the funds as a one-time payment to purchase a different ready-to-use home.