Are international laws relevant to real estate in Cyprus?
Cyprus retains its sovereignty over matters that relate to the land law. Specific rights however that emanate from international treaties to which Cyprus is a signatory, have applicability to real estate. An example is article 1 of the First Protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights where the protection of the peaceful enjoyment of the possessions of every natural or legal person and the right not to be deprived of them is extended to Cyprus land law. Treaties conventions or international agreements concluded under a decision of the Council of Ministers and approved by law have, as from their publication in the Official Gazette, superior force to any municipal law – but not superior to the Constitution (see Article 179.1, affirmed in the Police v Andreas Georghiades (1983) 2 CLR 33) – on the condition that they are applied by the other party thereto.
