Philenews

Cyprus Sees Second Largest Increase in Airbnb Bookings in the EU

Published January 9, 2026, 07:21
Cyprus Sees Second Largest Increase in Airbnb Bookings in the EU

Cyprus is experiencing the second-largest increase in short-term rental bookings within the European Union, with a 19.4% rise in the third quarter of 2025. Malta leads with a 24.0% increase. This growth is attributed to the increasing popularity of platforms like Airbnb, Booking, and Expedia, coupled with a strong tourism season for Cyprus. Despite the surge in demand for short-term rentals, there's a noticeable decrease in the availability of properties for long-term leases, particularly in tourist areas, leading to higher prices and housing shortages for residents. Tourists favor short-term rentals due to their unique features compared to hotels. Across the EU, overnight stays in short-term rental accommodations increased by 8.7% in the third quarter of 2025, with July and August recording the highest increases (10% and 8% respectively). Cyprus, alongside countries like Greece, Sweden, Germany, and Italy, demonstrates double-digit growth. The figures show 3,015,632 bookings in Cyprus during the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 1,962,423 in the second quarter. This trend reflects the continued demand for short-term accommodation throughout the EU and the growing contribution of short-term rental platforms to the tourism sector.