The cabinet has approved an increase in the maximum recognised restoration costs for listed buildings, as part of a broader Ministry of Interior drive to modernise the framework governing historic properties.
The decision reflects a rise of approximately 25–30% in material and labour costs that has widened the gap between actual and recognised restoration expenses, deterring owners of listed buildings from carrying out works.
Under the new limits, the maximum recognised cost for buildings of up to 300 square metres rises from €1,400 to €1,700 per square metre.
For buildings between 301 and 1,000 square metres, the ceiling moves from €1,300 to €1,600 per square metre, while for buildings over 1,001 square metres the limit increases from €1,000 to €1,300 per square metre.
The Ministry of Interior is also advancing a package of reforms aimed at easing the management and reuse of listed buildings.
These include a fast-track licensing process for listed properties, an exemption from building permits for low-risk works, the creation of a unified repository for listed building coefficients, a single licensing point, the establishment of regional offices for the Conservation Branch, the digitisation of cultural heritage records, and the publication of a handbook for owners and restoration specialists.
The changes aim to create a more flexible and modern framework that supports the restoration of listed buildings and strengthens the protection of historic town and village centres across Cyprus.