Filenews 13 March 2025
The Ministry of Interior has decided to extend the validity of the Urban Amnesty Plan for another three months, until 23 June 2025.
The decision was taken based on the evaluation of the interest expressed for the utilization of the Plan, as well as the recommendation of ETEK, the scientific advisor of the State. The extension also reflects the increased submission of applications observed recently.
948 applications so far
Since the implementation of the Scheme, on 23 September 2024, a total of 948 applications have been submitted across Cyprus.
In particular, the distribution of applications per District is as follows:
- 310 applications in Nicosia,
- 279 in Limassol,
- 92 in Larnaca,
- 204 in Paphos and
- 63 in Famagusta
It is noted that 89% of the applications concern the legalization of arbitrariness in residential developments.
What is the Plan about?
The Urban Amnesty Scheme concerns the acceptance of small-scale planning irregularities and/or exceeding the current building coefficient, by paying a compensatory amount to the Special Fund for Affordable Housing of the Cyprus Housing Organization.
It covers irregularities in various types of developments, such as residential, industrial, handicraft, office, livestock, agricultural, storage and commercial, as well as leisure and leisure developments. The development must be licensed (with planning and/or building permit), and irregularities must have been implemented before 13 September 2024.
The date of implementation of the arbitrary additions is certified by a private designer with a Solemn Declaration. Applications are submitted through the "Hippodamus" System to the relevant District Local Government Organizations.
