Nicosia:The Department of Land and Surveys is set to enhance its information system with a substantial budget of £22 million, supported by co-financing from the EU Cohesion Policy Programme 'THALEIA 2021-2027'.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the Finance Ministry's Directorate General Growth announced that this new system will replace the outdated technological infrastructure currently limiting the Land Registry's flexibility, the development of new services, and its interconnection with other government information systems. Presently, several procedures necessitate multiple manual checks, adding to the time and complexity of case processing.

The upgraded system will incorporate electronic signatures and modern security standards, improve access to historical data, and offer flexible reporting and statistics tools. It will also automate a significant portion of internal procedures. The project includes migrating existing data and upgrading the DLS Portal infrastructure, with completion anticipated in the second half of 2027.

For the public, this transformation is expected to gradually reduce the need for physical visits to district land registry offices. New electronic services will be available 24/7, facilitating remote transaction completion. Additionally, automation and improved data access are projected to expedite application processing and reduce the backlog of pending cases.

The upgrade will benefit property owners, buyers, investors, and businesses, as well as professionals such as lawyers, valuers, architects, and engineers, who will gain enhanced electronic access to services and information.

The transition is emphasized as not merely a technological upgrade but a comprehensive redesign of operations, aiming for a more flexible, secure, and reliable Land Registry that can adapt to future operational and legislative changes.