Northern Cyprus is situated in the northern region of the island of Cyprus, located in the Eastern Basin of the Mediterranean Sea. As the third largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is positioned about 40 miles (65 km) south of Turkey and 60 miles (104 km) east of Syria.

Northern Cyprus covers an area of approximately 1,295 square miles (3,355 square kilometers), making up about a third of the entire island of Cyprus. The country stretches around 65 miles (104 km) from east to west, and the distance from the capital, Nicosia (Lefkosa), in the south to the major tourist destination of Kyrenia (Girne) on the northern coast is roughly 32 miles (52 km).

As of recent estimates, Northern Cyprus has a population of around 382,000 people. This number includes both citizens and a significant number of foreign residents and students. For the most current and precise population data, it's advisable to refer to official demographic statistics from Northern Cyprus.

To reach Northern Cyprus, you can either fly indirectly into Ercan (ECN) Airport in North Cyprus or land at Larnaca (LCA) Airport in the Republic of Cyprus and travel by road across the border to the north. Currently, flights to Ercan (ECN) require a stopover in Turkey. Alternatively, you can fly to Paphos (PFO), though the drive from Paphos to North Cyprus is longer compared to the journey from Larnaca (LCA).

Northern Cyprus is considered one of the safest countries. Residents, known as Turkish Cypriots, are largely unaffected by conflicts in the Middle East. However, it’s advisable to check your government’s travel advisories before visiting.

According to the updated law as of March 21, 2024, foreign nationals are allowed to purchase:
⦁ Land: One property with land up to 1,338 square meters, subject to approval from the Council of Ministers, with only one residential unit permitted.
⦁ Apartment: Foreign nationals from countries recognizing Northern Cyprus can buy up to three apartment units.
⦁ Detached House: You can purchase one detached house with land up to 3,300 square meters, but no additional residential units are allowed.

All properties in North Cyprus are freehold, meaning you own the property outright. There is no leasehold system in the TRNC, with the exception of Karmi village, which is a specially preserved area.

All properties in North Cyprus are freehold, meaning you own the property outright. There is no leasehold system in the TRNC, with the exception of Karmi village, which is a specially preserved area.A Contract of Sale is a legal document prepared by your lawyer to protect your interests. For new builds, it outlines key details such as the plot number, size, price, payment schedule, and completion date, including penalties for delays. Floor plans and specifications are attached to ensure that the construction is completed as agreed. Once both the buyer and seller are satisfied with the terms, the contract is signed. Your lawyer will sign on your behalf only when you have given your full approval.

Purchasing a property in North Cyprus is meant to be a pleasant experience, and we aim to make the process stress-free. To reserve a property, it is customary to pay a non-refundable deposit, which varies depending on the type of property and the length of time you need it reserved. Due to the competitive market, the current reservation deposit is generally around £5,000, which goes toward the purchase price. For higher-end properties, deposits can range from £5,000 to £10,000 or more. This typically secures the property for 30 days, allowing time for contract preparation. In some cases, a longer reservation period can be negotiated for a higher deposit, subject to the seller’s agreement. For new build properties, the deposit is non-refundable but can usually be transferred to another property with the same developer (before the contract is signed). We recommend that deposits be paid to your lawyer or directly to the seller, not to a property agency, and payments are typically made by credit card or bank transfer.

When buying property in North Cyprus, you’ll need to consider the following taxes in addition to the purchase price:
⦁ Stamp Duty: Paid to the tax office, calculated on the property’s contractual value, typically at a rate of 0.5%. This is usually the buyer’s responsibility, and it must be paid within 21 days of signing the sales contract to register it with the Land Registry.
⦁ VAT (Value Added Tax): A 5% VAT applies to new developments, typically paid by the buyer. Some resale properties may also be subject to VAT if it wasn’t paid during the initial off-plan purchase. The payment timing is linked to when you take possession of the property.
⦁ Contract Registration Tax: For contracts not registered before February 10, 2023, a 6% tax is due upon registration. This applies to all contracts signed by foreign buyers, whether it’s their first purchase or not. Timely contract registration is crucial to comply with tax regulations.
⦁ Title Deed Fee: A fee of 6% of the sale price is due when transferring ownership to the buyer’s name.

Yes, it is possible for investors to buy property without visiting Northern Cyprus by setting up a power of attorney remotely through an Embassy or a UK-based TRNC lawyer with a partner in the TRNC. However, if possible, we recommend arranging the power of attorney during a visit to the TRNC, as the process is simpler when done in person.

If you don’t speak Turkish and don’t live in Northern Cyprus full-time, it is essential to have a lawyer. Establishing a limited power of attorney with a certified legal advisor in the TRNC is quick, free, and specifically for the property purchase process, posing no risk to you. The only documentation needed is your passport. Many buyers set this up during their visit so they can proceed with the purchase after returning home. The power of attorney allows your lawyer to sign documents on your behalf, ensuring that all important steps, from contract registration to transferring the title deed, can be completed without you needing to return to Cyprus.

It is essential to appoint an independent legal advisor within the TRNC, as the local legal processes are critical for establishing property ownership and cannot be managed by a lawyer from outside the country. Your existing conveyancing lawyer in the UK or another country cannot handle the purchase of a property in Northern Cyprus. Local expertise is required, particularly for obtaining Permission to Purchase (P2P), which is a key step in the process.

There are two types of Permanent Residency in Northern Cyprus:
⦁ Hicret Izni Permit: This is a lifelong residency permit issued to foreigners living in the TRNC before 2015, when the law on Permanent Residency was changed. If you hold this type of permit, you do not need to re-affirm your residency status every two years.
⦁ Beyaz Kimlik: This is the current method of applying for permanent residency, introduced in 2015. Holders of Beyaz Kimlik must continue to meet the permanent residency criteria and re-affirm their residency status every two years by submitting the necessary documentation.

A Permanent Residence Permit allows a foreigner to reside permanently in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and to enter and exit the country freely. However, maintaining permanent residency is contingent upon continuing to meet the requirements set out by the Residency Law. Failure to meet these criteria may result in the revocation of residency.

Turks and other foreigners (including stateless citizens) over the age of 18, along with their spouses and children under 18, who have lived in Northern Cyprus continuously for a minimum of 6 years (with interruptions of less than 40 days) are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Applicants must also demonstrate good character, good health, employment in the TRNC with sufficient income to support themselves and their dependents, or have adequate financial resources to prove financial independence.

Permanent Residency Permits are issued by the Temporary Residency Permits & Work Permits Department (Ikamet Ofisi) within the Ministry of Interior (İçişleri Bakanlığı) in Northern Cyprus.
⦁ Can foreigners be granted citizenship in Northern Cyprus? Yes, a small number of foreigners may be granted citizenship in Northern Cyprus under specific conditions, such as:
⦁ Individuals working in industrial, trade, tourism, social, and economic fields or science, who have provided exceptional service in technical, political, or cultural areas.
⦁ Spouses and children of those who participated in or were martyred during the 1974 Peace Campaign.
⦁ Turkish citizens serving in the TRNC after August 1, 1958.

Foreigners eligible to apply for a Permanent Residency Permit in Northern Cyprus include:
⦁ Individuals with a Work Permit and/or Business Permit.
⦁ Homeowners with a Guaranteed Income.
⦁ Those married to a TRNC citizen.
⦁ Children of foreigners who were born in the TRNC or were under 18 years old when they moved to the TRNC.
⦁ What are the requirements to qualify for a Permanent Residency Permit in Northern Cyprus?
To qualify for a Permanent Residency Permit in Northern Cyprus, applicants must meet the following criteria:
⦁ Duration of Stay: Applicants must have been residing in the TRNC for more than 6 years, or for a shorter period depending on specific conditions like property ownership or marriage to a TRNC citizen.
⦁ Continuous Residency: For most categories, uninterrupted residency is required, with allowances for certain periods spent outside the TRNC. ⦁ Criminal Record Check: A clean criminal record is required for all applicants.
⦁ Health Check: A health check is mandatory.
⦁ Health Insurance: Valid health insurance is required, and it must be maintained continuously.
⦁ Property Ownership: In some cases, ownership or rental of property valued over €125,000 is necessary.
⦁ Social Security Payments: Proof of social security payments may be required, particularly for those with a work or business permit. ⦁ What additional notes should applicants be aware of when applying for Permanent Residency in Northern Cyprus?
⦁ Health Insurance: Applicants must maintain valid health insurance either through the Department of Health or an approved private insurer. Lapsed insurance policies may result in the residency permit being rendered null and void.
⦁ Children of Foreigners: Children born in the TRNC or who moved there before turning 18 must apply for permanent residency within two years of reaching 18 if their parents are TRNC citizens or have valid Work or Immovable Property Residency permits.
⦁ Working/Business Permit: Holding a Working or Business Permit (White Kimlik Card) allows the permit holder to work at any time during the validity period of the permit, whether or not they have a separate work permit.

To qualify for a Permanent Residency Permit in Northern Cyprus, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Duration of Stay: Applicants must have been residing in the TRNC for more than 6 years, or for a shorter period depending on specific conditions like property ownership or marriage to a TRNC citizen
• Continuous Residency: For most categories, uninterrupted residency is required, with allowances for certain periods spent outside the TRNC.
• Criminal Record Check: A clean criminal record is required for all applicants.
• Health Check: A health check is mandatory.
• Health Insurance: Valid health insurance is required, and it must be maintained continuously.
• Property Ownership: In some cases, ownership or rental of property valued over €125,000 is necessary.
• Social Security Payments: Proof of social security payments may be required, particularly for those with a work or business permit.

• Health Insurance: Applicants must maintain valid health insurance either through the Department of Health or an approved private insurer. Lapsed insurance policies may result in the residency permit being rendered null and void.
• Children of Foreigners: Children born in the TRNC or who moved there before turning 18 must apply for permanent residency within two years of reaching 18 if their parents are TRNC citizens or have valid Work or Immovable Property Residency permits.
• Working/Business Permit: Holding a Working or Business Permit (White Kimlik Card) allows the permit holder to work at any time during the validity period of the permit, whether or not they have a separate work permit.