The Interior Ministry has launched a public consultation on a new bill designed to legitimise buildings erected illegally without the required building permits.
The proposed legislation, drafted in collaboration with the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK), offers a window for owners to regularise structures provided they meet specific safety and quality standards. Critically, the amnesty applies only to buildings completed before the new law comes into effect.
ETEK Chairman Konstantinos Konstantis told Phileleftheros that the primary requirement for legalisation is that the building must already hold a planning permit. Furthermore, the structure must comply with the regulatory standards that were in force at the time of its completion, covering areas such as structural adequacy, fire safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
“The competent authority will require the building to comply with accessibility and fire safety regulations,” Konstantis said. In cases where full compliance is impossible, a certified surveyor must submit a detailed report to the authorities.
The process will involve a mandatory visual inspection of the building’s infrastructure, structural frame, and electromechanical installations to ensure there are no dangerous defects or damages.
According to the Ministry, the “Streets and Buildings Regulation (Amendment) (No. 2) Law of 2026” will remain open for public electronic consultation for one month. Once approved, the application window will be limited to a period of 18 or 36 months. Owners seeking legalisation will be required to pay double the standard permit fees.
As the legislative process and upcoming parliamentary elections are expected to take several months, observers note that property owners currently engaged in unpermitted construction may still have time to complete their projects before the cut-off date.