New changes and facilitations come into force for farmers who wish to build new facilities or modernize existing premises. In the context of the investment interventions of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023 – 2027, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and other competent services, proceeded to the adoption of new legislative regulations and the issuance of a special licensing guide.
Many farmers apply for the subsidy for the construction of their new premises (livestock premises, agricultural warehouses, photovoltaics, tanks, fences, anti-hail, greenhouses, etc.) or the modernization of the existing ones. A condition for securing the subsidy is the submission of a building permit.
To date, the securing of the necessary permits, as well as the evaluation of applications, has presented significant delays, with the result that producers have difficulty completing their investments and absorbing the relevant subsidies from the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization (CAPO).
To address the problem, the Land and Water Use Branch of the Department of Agriculture has prepared a comprehensive guide aimed at ensuring the rapid examination of applications and clearly defining the requirements per construction category for the issuance of a building permit.
The new decree for the existing units includes reduced requirements on the part of the licensing authority, especially in terms of satisfactory access for a path or road where there is no longer a reference to width. Also, the guide records what permit is required for the licensing of each construction (urban planning, building, environmental), from which services/departments the designer/farmer should secure consultation, what documents are required and the obligation of the Service to express its views/terms within 21 days.
Also, the EOA is obliged to issue the building permit within 20 days from the date of submission by the designer/farmer, fully completed and correctly, of all the forms required for examination for the proposed project. To facilitate the licensing of constructions, standardized licensing terms have been prepared by the various Departments/Services involved, where possible.
For existing units and greenhouses, the reference to a minimum road/path width has been abolished, while various forms of access are accepted (e.g. registered path, right of way, private agreements, forest roads).
Among other things, guidance is included on constructions, such as livestock premises, agricultural warehouses, photovoltaics, tanks, fences, anti-hail, greenhouses, etc.
• Greenhouses: Based on the Special Development Decree (KAA 139/2025), a planning permit is not required if specific conditions are met, while the building factor is not affected when light materials are used.
• Agricultural warehouses (up to 30 sq.m.): They are exempt from the obligation to obtain a planning and building permit, based on the General Development and Exemption Decrees, provided that the specified specifications are met.
• Livestock farms and sheep and goat farming: A special framework was established for existing sheep and goat farming units (RAA 140/2025). At the same time, for new large units of more than 800 animals, facilities are provided for the rapid licensing and concession of state land, with the aim of strengthening milk production in the context of the registration of halloumi as a PDO.
• Anti-hail / anti-rain structures and water tanks: Simplified submission procedures are applied through the "IPPODAMOS" system, while ready-made certified designs and specifications are available.
