The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a comprehensive relief package for citizens affected by recent fires in Limassol, including emergency payments of up to €10,000 per family and full property restoration, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou announced.
The measures target residents of 23 affected communities and include immediate financial assistance, rental subsidies lasting up to 24 months, complete property restoration without requiring receipts, and various fee exemptions.
Immediate financial assistance
Families with totally destroyed permanent residences will receive €10,000 plus €2,000 for each dependent child. Those with partial destruction will receive €5,000 plus €1,000 per dependent child. Holiday home owners are excluded from lump-sum payments.
For example, a family with three dependent children facing total destruction would receive €16,000, whilst a family with two children experiencing partial destruction would receive €7,000.
Payments will be processed through bank transfers using the General Accounting Office’s computerised payment system (FIMAS) by Monday at the latest. Authorisation forms have been distributed to community councils in affected areas.
Rental subsidies programme
From 1 September 2025, quarterly rental subsidies of €800 per family plus €200 per dependent child will be provided for varying durations:
- Total destruction: maximum 24 months
- Partial destruction rendering homes uninhabitable: maximum six months
- Tenants of damaged properties: maximum three months
The subsidy extends to beneficiaries staying with relatives or friends, and those requiring rental deposits. Alternatively, those with partial damage may access free accommodation at tourist facilities maintained by trade unions in mountainous areas near affected communities, or government residences in Troodos.
Property restoration programme
The Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK) will assess restoration costs using current market prices without requiring receipts. Damage assessments will be completed within the first ten days of August for permanent residences.
For licensed buildings and heritage/traditional structures, compensation follows a structured payment schedule:
- 25% upon signing acceptance declaration
- 25% when appointing a qualified professional
- 50% upon completion of half the restoration work
Heritage and traditional buildings within historic centres require maintaining traditional morphology according to Town Planning and Housing Department approvals, with payments structured as 50%, 30%, and 20% at project milestones.
For unlicensed buildings within residential zones, owners must submit licensing applications by 31 December 2025. If approved, they receive full compensation; if rejected, they receive only 25% of assessed damages.
Unlicensed buildings outside residential zones follow similar procedures through the Deviations Study Council, with the same 25% compensation for rejected applications.
Buildings with insurance coverage receive immediate excess waiver payments.
Fee exemptions and rental suspensions
Permanent residents and businesses in affected areas are exempt from annual community fees and taxes for 2025, with the state covering costs to community councils.
Rental obligations for Turkish Cypriot properties and state-owned land used for agricultural or livestock purposes are suspended for 12 months from 1 August 2025.
Document replacement
Free reissuance of travel documents and state certificates destroyed in fires, including identity cards, passports, and birth certificates, through the Population Registry.
Damage assessment data
Limassol District Administration recorded 211 completely destroyed homes, 81 warehouses, 19 commercial properties, and 101 vehicles. Numbers may increase as new declarations are submitted.
Affected communities include Omodos, Arsos, Koilani, Vasa Koilaniou, Vouni, Sylikou, Malia, Lania, Lofou, Agios Therapon, Agios Amvrosios, Kissousa, Pachna, Kato Kivides, Pano Kivides, Souni-Zanakia, Alassa, Monagri, Pera Pedi, Kouka, Potamiou, Sotira, and Ypsonas.
Additional provisions
No financial assistance will be provided for abandoned buildings without electricity connections. Buildings constructed before licensing legislation came into effect are considered licensed. Auxiliary buildings follow the same criteria as main structures.
External damage calculations cover only permanent structures including fencing, paving, and pergolas. Swimming pools, landscaping, and artificial lawns are excluded from compensation.
Commercial buildings receive compensation solely for structures, with separate arrangements for equipment to be announced by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry. No assistance covers merchandise or inventory.
The Civil Defence Force manages accommodation for affected residents, with temporary and long-term solutions planned following damage assessment completion.
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