Strong majority vote in the House
Cyprus Parliament approved the 2026 state budget on Wednesday, following a plenary vote that saw broad cross-party support. The budget passed with positive votes from DISY, DIKO, ELAM, DIPA, EDEK, as well as independent MP Andreas Themistokleous. It was voted down by AKEL, the Greens, Socialist MP Costas Efstathiou, and independent MP Alexandra Attalidou.
The approval of the Cyprus 2026 budget represents the most significant legislative act of the House of Representatives.
Historic voting figures since 1960
According to available parliamentary records, the budgets that received the highest number of positive votes in the history of the Republic of Cyprus- from 1960 to today- were those approved in 2024, 2025, and 2026, each securing 37 votes in favour.
These approvals are considered historically high, as state budgets in Cyprus have traditionally passed with narrow majorities, usually between 28 and 30 votes. With Parliament consisting of 56 seats, the 37 affirmative votes correspond to approximately 66% of the total.
Final budget before parliamentary elections
The 2026 budget is the final one approved by the current parliamentary composition, as Cyprus heads to parliamentary elections in May.
Key spending priorities for 2026
The Cyprus 2026 budget includes primary expenditure of €10.7 billion, reflecting an increase of approximately €508 million, or 5%, compared to the previous year.
Development spending is projected to rise by 4.7% in 2026 compared to 2025, while social benefits are set to increase by 6.7%, including allocations for education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Amendments and crossed-out funds
A total of 92 amendments were submitted. Among the most significant approved amendments were those cutting any expenditure related to the privatisation of public organisations, state enterprises, government departments, and services, with exceptions made for spending related to the Troodos development area, the Cyprus Stock Exchange, and the Larnaca Marina.
Funds were also crossed out for the Vasiliko area master plan, the construction of Phase A of Makarios Avenue, the southern extension of Akadimias Avenue, and allocations concerning primary road networks in municipalities. Additional crossed-out funds relate to housing benefits, social welfare provisions, construction projects, and solidarity fund actions.
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