Israeli Embassy: 15,000-20,000 Israelis see Southern Cyprus as home
The Israeli Embassy in Nicosia reported that the number of Israelis living in the Republic of Cyprus has increased over the years, and that trade, tourism, and investments have also expanded.
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The Israeli Embassy in Nicosia has made a notable assessment regarding the number of Israelis living in the Republic of Cyprus (ROC). Speaking to the Greek Cypriot press outlet Philenews, the Embassy stated that approximately 15,000 to 20,000 Israelis currently view Southern Cyprus as their "home."
The statement noted that the Israeli population has increased significantly over the years. The Embassy highlighted that geographical proximity and the close relations between the two sides have been effective in making the ROC attractive to Israelis.
It was also emphasized that growth in economic relations has changed the landscape. Accordingly, Israeli companies view the ROC not only as a sales market but also as a hub for international operations.
The Embassy reported that there are new cooperation opportunities, particularly in the fields of agriculture and water technologies. It was conveyed that the option of establishing a pilot demonstration farm to test Israel's agricultural technology solutions under ROC conditions and to introduce them to local farmers is also being evaluated.
INCREASE IN TOURISM AND TRADE
The report pointed out that some Israelis living in the ROC may not appear as Israeli citizens in official statistics because they also hold European Union passports.
According to data from the Statistical Service of the ROC, Israel became the island's second-largest tourism market in 2025. Visitors from Israel accounted for 13 percent of total tourist arrivals. The trade volume between the two sides was reported to have exceeded 600 million euros in 2025.
While it was stated that Israeli investments have expanded in the energy, real estate, technology, and tourism sectors, discussions regarding the permanent nature of the Israeli presence had previously surfaced in the Greek Cypriot press.
According to research by Tel Aviv University, approximately 49,000 Israelis left the country for more than a year in 2023 and 2024. The research assessed that the continuation of high migration levels could have consequences for Israel's economy and security.