Israel’s Embassy in Nicosia said that approximately 15,000 to 20,000 Israelis consider the Republic of Cyprus their home. The embassy said the number had increased significantly over the years.
Geographic proximity and relations between the two sides have helped make the Republic of Cyprus attractive to Israelis. Growing economic ties have also encouraged Israeli companies to view the Republic of Cyprus not only as a sales market but also as a hub for their international operations.
Trade and tourism ties expand
New opportunities for cooperation, particularly in agriculture and water technologies, are being explored. The possibility of establishing a pilot demonstration farm to test Israeli agricultural technology solutions under conditions in the Republic of Cyprus and introduce them to farmers in the region was also discussed.
According to data from the Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, Israel became the island’s second-largest tourism market in 2025. Israeli visitors accounted for 13 percent of total tourist arrivals that year.
Trade between Israel and the Republic of Cyprus exceeded 600 million euros in 2025. Israeli investments expanded in the energy, real estate, technology and tourism sectors.
Some Israelis living in the Republic of Cyprus may not appear as Israeli citizens in official statistics because they also hold European Union passports.
Number of people leaving Israel rises
According to research by Tel Aviv University, approximately 49,000 Israelis left the country for more than a year in 2023 and 2024. The study projected that around 50,000 people who left the country in 2025 would be classified as emigrants if they remained abroad for at least 12 months.
The study assessed that continued high levels of emigration could have consequences for Israel’s economy and security. According to a study by the Planning and Economics Division of the Israel Tax Authority, emigration among affluent Israelis reached record levels in 2023 and 2024, nearly doubling the level recorded through 2019.
Doctors, engineers and highly educated, high-income workers accounted for a significant share of those who emigrated.
Joint projects in technology
Cooperation between Israel and the Republic of Cyprus has extended beyond trade and investment. Energy storage, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity were identified as areas for future cooperation.
As part of a joint project between Israel-based BaroMar and the Cyprus Institute, a system that stores energy underwater using compressed air is being integrated into and tested at the PROTEAS research facility.
Debate over Israel’s influence in the Greek Cypriot community
Assessments that some Greek Cypriots are uncomfortable with Israel’s growing influence in the Republic of Cyprus have also entered public debate. These assessments argue that the settlement of Israelis in the Republic of Cyprus could become permanent and that the government’s preferential policies toward Israelis have sparked controversy.
The establishment of schools, places of worship, businesses and infrastructure catering to Israelis’ needs has strengthened the perception that Israel’s presence has taken on a settlement character beyond investment and tourism, the assessments argue. They also maintain that if the process continues in this way, it could weaken acceptance within the Greek Cypriot community of maintaining good relations with Israel.
