Israeli presence grows in Southern Cyprus

As the presence of Israelis in the Greek Cypriot Administration continues to increase, a striking figure regarding the number of Israelis living in the region has been shared. In a statement made to the digital news portal Philenews of the Phileleftheros newspaper, the Israeli Embassy in the Greek Cypriot Administration stated, "Approximately 15,000-20,000 Israelis already consider Cyprus (the Greek side) their home." The embassy noted that this number has risen significantly over the years, stating that geographical proximity and the relations between Israel and the Greek Cypriot administration have been effective in making Southern Cyprus attractive to Israelis.

Not just population, but economic presence is also growing

The embassy statement also indicated that Israeli companies have begun to view the Greek side not only as a market but as a hub from which they can conduct their international operations. It was stated that in addition to agriculture and water technologies, energy storage, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity are among the areas where cooperation is planned to be expanded on the Israel-GCA axis.

According to data from the Israeli Embassy, the trade volume between Israel and the GCA exceeded 600 million euros in 2025, while Israel became the second-largest tourism market for Southern Cyprus in the same year. Visitors from Israel accounted for 13 percent of total tourist arrivals.

Official figures may be lower than the actual number

Another point highlighted in the statement was that the actual Israeli population might not be fully reflected in official records. It was noted that because some Israelis living in Southern Cyprus also hold passports from European Union countries, they may not be registered as Israeli citizens in official statistics. This situation raises the possibility that the announced Israeli population of 15,000-20,000 may not fully reflect the total Israel-linked settlement on the ground.

High-income Israelis are leaving the country

According to research conducted by Tel Aviv University, approximately 49,000 Israelis left the country for more than a year in 2023 and 2024.

Research by the Israel Tax Authority drew attention to the profile of those leaving the country. It was stated that the migration rate among wealthy Israelis reached record levels in 2023 and 2024, and that doctors, engineers, and high-income employees held a significant place among those who migrated. The emerging picture shows that, simultaneously with the emigration from Israel, the Israeli population, capital, and institutional structure in Southern Cyprus are growing, fueling the debate over whether the Israeli presence in the Greek side is evolving beyond investment and tourism into permanent settlement.

Greek Cypriots had also initiated the "permanent settlement" debate

In an article titled "The growing influence of the Israeli presence," previously published in the Greece-based Kathimerini newspaper, which is also published in Southern Cyprus, it was pointed out that the settlement of Israelis in Southern Cyprus could take on a permanent character. The article argued that the establishment of schools, places of worship, businesses, and infrastructure tailored to the needs of Israelis created the image that the Israeli presence was not limited to tourism and investment, but rather one of "settlement and greater permanence."