Twenty-eight private schools in Cyprus have applied to the Interior Ministry for development approvals as the sector pushes ahead with expansion plans.
A new planning incentive scheme approved in March 2025 by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou is helping some schools avoid bureaucratic delays, according to data gathered by Phileleftheros.
Of the 28 applications submitted, 10 have been approved, three rejected, and 15 remain pending. Nine applications—one third of the total—are benefiting from the incentive scheme, though further study may reveal additional schools could qualify.
The Interior Ministry has already granted three applications under the incentive programme. Two used the reduced minimum requirement for open spaces and sports areas, which would otherwise have required deviation applications. A third exceeded the building coefficient and purchased the 20% excess, amounting to 669 square metres.
The payment is collected when the building permit is issued, based on Land Registry valuation, and deposited in a Cyprus Land Development Corporation special fund. The scheme is linked to housing policy efforts, particularly increasing affordable housing through CLDC programmes.
Limassol leads by district with 13 applications—three granted, one rejected, and nine pending. Five applications in Limassol are benefiting from the incentive scheme.
Paphos follows with six applications (one granted, two rejected, three pending), Nicosia with five (four granted, one pending, two benefiting from the scheme) and Larnaca with four (two granted, two pending, two benefiting from the scheme). No applications were submitted from the Famagusta area.
The scheme aims to strengthen existing private schools and create new educational units to meet changing population needs resulting from recent geopolitical changes.
Key provisions include building coefficient increases of 0.25:1 inside Development Limits in Local Plans, 0.10:1 outside Development Limits and 0.10:1 in Policy Statement areas.
The scheme allows a 25% reduction in required open space and sports area standards, subject to Education Ministry approval, recognising increased land values and limited opportunities to find land meeting standard requirements in certain areas.
For extensions to existing schools, planning authorities can permit the purchase of a small number of parking spaces if road safety and neighbourhood amenities are unaffected and approve limited staff parking for those without independent access.
Compensation is set at 20% of the excess value, significantly below the 50-70% required under the general planning incentives scheme renewed on 18 December 2024.
Payments go to the CLDC Special Fund for Affordable Housing to support state housing policy.
Fast-track procedures require completion of examination within four months of receiving a full application, with meetings coordinated between all relevant departments at the Planning and Housing Department.
The Planning Authority director handles all educational institutions from 1 July 2024.
The special scheme is valid for one year from approval, remaining in force until 12 March 2026, and applies exclusively to education sector developments.