Yiannis Armeftis was born in 1971 and raised in Limassol. He studied Architecture at the Polytechnic School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, graduating in 1994. The following year, he established his own architectural practice, which developed into Armeftis and Associates in 2004 and was renamed Armeftis and Partners in 2019. In 2007, he received the State Architecture Award for Young Architect. His firm has won numerous architectural competitions, and has represented Cyprus in the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award.
He is a member of the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) and the Cyprus Architects Association.
From 2007 to 2016, Mr. Armeftis served on the Limassol Municipal Council during the mayoral term of Andreas Christou. He held key leadership roles, including Chairman of the Development and Tourism Committee, Head of the Municipal Group of the Democratic Party (DIKO) (2012–2016), and Representative of the Union of Municipalities on the Town Planning Exceptions Board (2015–2017).
In 2014, he established the Andreas Armeftis Foundation for the Study of Democracy, a scientific non-profit organisation that promotes democratic values, civic dialogue, and social conciliation. From 2018 to 2024, he served as President of the Pancyprian Organization of Relatives of Fallen Resistance Fighters.
In July 2024, Yiannis Armeftis was elected Mayor of Limassol.
As Mayor, he also serves as:
• Vice President of the Union of Municipalities of Cyprus
• Vice President of CLIMANET (Network of Cities for Climate Action)
• Member of the Board of Directors of the Limassol District Local Government Organisation (EOA)
• Vice President of ETAL (Limassol Tourism Development Company)
• President of the Board of Directors of the Pattichio Theatre
• President of the Pattichio Historical Archive
As Mayor, Yiannis Armeftis places strong emphasis on sustainable urban development, climate neutrality, quality of life, and the strategic role of port and coastal cities in addressing climate change. His vision for Limassol aligns closely with the objectives of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, promoting integrated planning, innovation, and citizen-centred approaches for a resilient and climate-neutral urban future.
Mayor Armeftis is married to Marina Hatziloizou-Armeftis, and they have one daughter, Chrysilia.