North Cyprus Properties & Estate Agents

Frequently Asked Questions about properties in North Cyprus

Q:	Do you organize viewing trips to North Cyprus?
A:	We can recommend several travel agents who would be able to organize your accommodation and cheap flights to Northern Cyprus. Our representative will meet you at the hotel to take you on the viewing tour. We will only be taking you to view the properties which fall within your search requirements indicated earlier. Please let us know when you are planning to visit North Cyprus, the duration of your stay and hotel in advance so we arrange the viewing for you. We would recommend you to give us as much notice as you can so we can search the best suitable options for you. Please Contact Us with any queries you may have.

Q:	Are there direct flights to North Cyprus?
A:	At the moment, all flights have to stop in Turkey for approximately 45 minutes.

Q:	How long are we allowed to stay on the island legally?
A:	You are issued a 3 month tourist visa when you arrive, after which you must apply for a resident’s permit.

Q:	Are you able to arrange inspection flights?
A:	Our associated companies are able to organize flights, accommodation and car hire.

Q:	What are the approximate costs when we rent a 2/3 bedroom furnished house?
A:	Long-term (1 year) rentals start from £250 per month. Short-term leases (bad & breakfast) start from £20 per day per person. You would pay for electricity, water, gas and telephone.

Q:	How do I purchase a property in North Cyprus?
A:	Please check our Investor’s Guide section for in-depth advice on this.

Q:	What documents are required when purchasing a property?
A:	Just your passport is required to purchase a property.

Q:	Can I pay for the property from home?
A:	Yes, this can easily be done from any International bank directly into our HSBC International Bank Account.

Q:	Do we need to open a bank account in North Cyprus?
A:	You don’t need to open an account here but it is useful to have one for standing orders, etc.

Q:	What are the costs of shipping and do you have a list of agents?
A:	Shipping costs are based on the cubic meter – we have a list of agencies that we can forward to you.

Q:	If I buy a plot of land, do you have plans/designs etc?
A:	We have a variety of plans available at the office and can take you to a reputable architect to browse through 3D plans, designs, etc.

Q:	Can we pay our bills by standing order?
A:	You can pay electricity and phone bills by standing order. You can pay for your water in advance in the local council.

Q:	Do I have to make a new will in North Cyprus?
A:	Once the property is registered in your name, we strongly advise you to make a new will as your property in Cyprus is not covered on your original will. Our lawyers can draw up a new will for you.

Q:	Am I required to take out medical insurance?
A:	You are not required and we find that most expatriates rely on the local medical care which is good and extremely reasonable.

Q:	Are there tax implications if I decide to sell up and return to the UK/Europe etc?
A:	At present, your first sale is tax free so there are no taxes to pay and no restrictions on the repatriation of funds.

Q:	Who looks after my property whilst I am away?
A:	Royal Estates Property Management team takes care of your property, i.e. paying of bills, security and general maintenance (subject to your approval) for a small monthly fee.

Q:	Who will advertise my property and obtain bookings if I wish to rent it out?
A:	We will advertise your property and rent it out within your requirements. We can also collect and deposit the rent into your account while you are away. Please Contact Us for more information.

Q:	Can I own more than one property at a time?
A:	At present you are only allowed to own one property at a time (one house or one donum of land) (husband and wife count as one person unless they have different surnames).

Q:	How can I purchase my property in North Cyprus?
A:	There are different procedures depending on the title of the property you have chosen. We advise you to take a look at our Investor’s Guide section for details.

Q:	If I were to buy land, where would I go to have my house designed and built for me?
A:	Royal Estates has a good relationship with reputable builders who will design and build to your requirements. The local architects will be working on the plan in accordance with your specifications. We can arrange you inspection trips to see the houses they have built. If you like one of those houses, they can build you the same house on your land. Please refer to our Build Your Own House section or Contact Us for more details.

Q:	Can I bring my personal belongings from overseas?
A:	YES! We can introduce you to a number of different freighting companies that are specialized in shipping of goods to North Cyprus and will bring your personal items carefully to your new home. Contact our office for more information and advice.

Q:	How do I become a resident of North Cyprus?
A:	To become a resident in North Cyprus is a very simple process. Certain documentation is required to be stamped by the relevant authorities, which will enable you to stay on the island, for as long as you wish. We are happy to introduce you to our associates, who will guide you swiftly and painlessly through this process.

Q:	Can I bring my pet/s to Northern Cyprus?
A:	Pets are welcomed in Northern Cyprus, as long as all the relevant documentation from a UK Vet is completed prior to your pets’ arrival. Quarantine period is approximately 28 days.

Q:	Who will do all the paperwork for our sale?
A:	We are able to deal with the paperwork for your permission to purchase with a fee of £500. (Most of the solicitors in North Cyprus charge £1000)

Q:	Can I use my UK Driving licence?
A:	For 3 months you can drive with your UK licence, after that you can only drive with a TRNC licence. Once you have been issued with your residency permit a local licence can be administered within a few days.

Q:	Where are the best beaches?
A:	The Escape Beach in Alsancak is one of the safest beaches which are close to Kyrenia. There are many hotels with private bays which permit non-residents to use them for a small fee.

Q:	Where are the villages?
A:	The main towns in the east of Kyrenia in order are Dogankoy, Bellapais, Ozankoy, Catalkoy, Arapkoy, Esentepe, Bahceli. Those in the west of Kyrenia in order are Zeytinlik, Karaoglanoglu, Edremit, Karmi, Alsancak, Ilgaz, Latpa, Karsiyaka, Kayalar.

Q:	What extra charges are there when we buy a property or land?
A:	There are extras which may not be clear at the time of purchase. All purchases are subject to a 6% stamp duty. The amount is assessed by the Land Registry Office.

Q:	How much land can I purchase as a foreigner?
A:	The maximum a foreigner can purchase is 1 Donum 1 Evlek.

Q:	What is the fastest route to travel to North Cyprus?
A:	Currently there are no direct flights to North Cyprus (Ercan is the main airport in North Cyprus. All flights are through mainland Turkey. You do not have to leave the plane as a general rule and remain on board for 45 minutes in one of the airports in Turkey (Dalaman, Antalya, Izmir, etc). It takes 20minutes drive to get from Ercan to Nicosia (Lefkosa) – the capital of Northern Cyprus, 30 minutes to Kyrenia (Girne). In the nearest future there will be direct flights from London, Manchester and Frankfurt.

Q:	What flights are available to North Cyprus now?
A:	North Cyprus has direct air links only with Turkey (see Q.2), where all planes from Europe must land. More than 90 flights to North Cyprus per week arrive at Ercan airport during the summer. Currently there are approximately 20 flights per week to N. Cyprus from London (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead). For the passengers convenience most of them arrive in the evening. There are also flights to North Cyprus from Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin. From Turkey, you can arrange a connected flight to North Cyprus from Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana and Antalya. There is also a big selection of ferries from Turkey, the fastest of which is 2 hours.

Q:	What is the cost of living in North Cyprus?
A:	The cost of living in North Cyprus is cheap compared to other countries in the Mediterranean region (the Southern part of the island in particular) or popular European destinations. The utility bills are exceptionally affordable. Living in North Cyprus, you will be paying approximately £ 200 a year for electricity and water of an apartment. A lot of the houses and apartments are built with solar water heating systems, which ensures cheap running costs even in winter. Communal maintenance fees are also payable, depending what facilities you share (pool, security, sewage, etc.) Living in North Cyprus is continuously changing for the better. In recent years the number of the supermarkets that sell foreign (including leading English brands) food has grown, which has brought the price of the export goods slightly down but they still remain higher than those in the UK. Turkish produced food could be purchased at a fraction of that and is of good quality and varied choice. Northern Cyprus is a paradise for smokers and alcohol is exceptionally cheap. For a bottle of a local large beer you would pay 50p, a bottle of a local Red/white wine £ 2.50. North Cyprus has restaurants galore – on every taste and pocket. An average restaurant bill with drinks per person is £ 10-20. You can pay in all restaurants and supermarkets directly in pounds and in Euro, without losing in conversion rates. The cost of living in North Cyprus is very cheap compared to that of the UK.

Q:	How long can a British citizen stay in North Cyprus?
A:	The British and the majority of Western Europeans on arrival would automatically receive a three-month-visa. If you decide to stay on the island for a longer period you can get an extension or if you decide to settle there permanently, you would need to get a residency permit. We will put you in the right direction in order to receive it quickly.

Q:	Are there any limitations on buying property in Northern Cyprus for foreign people?
A:	Yes, there is a limitation. The land in North Cyprus is measured in donums. Foreign people cannot buy more than 1 donum of land (which is 1,338 square metres or approximately 14,000 square feet) for one property. This area of land will satisfy the majority of our clients. In the case where you want a bigger piece of land, this can be easily met by adding members of your family as the owners or by forming a local company to buy the land in its name.

Q:	What are the procedures to buy the property in North Cyprus?
A:	Due to the buoyant market situation, we do advise our clients to arrange finance before traveling to North Cyprus and to have the reservation fee available, if you find something you like. Otherwise it could be a wasted journey. Please also note that a debit/credit card payment is not acceptable when it comes to a reservation fee. You would need to see a solicitor during your visit if you decide to purchase a property and issue him with the Power of Attorney, so he can follow your instructions during your absence. You appoint a solicitor who checks and confirms the title deeds. The next stage is to draw up a sale contract. It will define the payment terms and the completion date. Your attendance is not essential as the solicitor will act on your behalf if you issue a Power of Attorney. On the day of the completion, the money is paid to the vendor and the Land Registry (Stamp duty at 6%) by your solicitor. Your name will be included into the Land Registry books, but it takes up to 12 months for the new title deed to be issued.

Q:	What are the costs involved when we buy a property in North Cyprus?
A:	Application for purchase permit and legal fees will cost £500 (most of our competitors charge ₤1000) and be aware that some solicitors charge an hourly rate fee that could work out very expensive when you buy a property in North Cyprus. The stamp duty is 6% of the property value, but more often the valuation is lower than the selling price of the property. Some may consider building their own house as the stamp duty will be payable on the cost of the land than that of the built property, if the permission to buy is received before the construction begins. Also the buyer has to bear in mind the sales tax (VAT) at 5% on newly built property. Sales and stamp duty tax is payable to the Land Registry office when the permission to buy is granted and the property is completed as well as a nominal registry fees (in the region of £ 200). The buyer also should enquire about the other costs in relationship to the electricity, water, gas installation. Sometimes, the costs are included in the selling price, but more often there is a separate cost, especially if you are building your villa in isolation to the main road or the nearest village and there is not any construction nearby.

Q:	What types of deeds are available?
A:	Like in the UK there are two main types of deeds in TRNC, – Freehold and Leasehold deeds. However, there are some significant differences the UK buyer should be aware of when he comes to buy a property in Northern Cyprus. Leasehold property or land is as a rule restored buildings which are leased to the foreign nationals by the Government for the period of up to 49 years. The ground rent is negligible. Typical example of such properties could be found in the well established Karmi Village near Kyrenia (Girne), where originally all foreign citizens are settled. Most of them are British, but also there are other European citizens, like German, Swiss, and Dutch. There are three types of deeds for Freehold property, which differentiate significantly, but all of them are absolutely legal. The first one is the Freehold property that belonged to the foreign owner (pre-1974), which could be rarely found on the market these days, as the owners consider it a good investment and do not feel like parting with it when the property prices are going up. The Second type is the deeds that belonged to Turkish Cypriots before 1974, which are also internationally recognised title deeds. The Third type is the TRNC absolute possession document, which was issued to Turkish Cypriots in compensation of their lost property in the Southern part of the island by the TRNC Government. The land or property belonged to the Greek Cypriots before 1974. The Turkish Cypriots signed over their property left in the Southern part of the island in favour of the TRNC ,that used the full possession title in return. It is also often referred to as a basis points land. However, the buyer should be aware of the fact that some plots of land or property located close to the military sites cannot be completed (e.g. your name will not appear on the title deeds). It is a common belief that the TRNC title deeds issued to the military servicemen for their service on the island carry the high risk of repossession, as they were issued not on a basis point system, but as a reward for the services. The land and property with no title deeds issued (that belonged to Greek Cypriots pre-1974 and not reclaimed by the Turkish Cypriots) as well as “pending ownership” (the purchase that was not complete pre-1974) are illegal and are not considered safe. Your new home could be at risk if you complete your purchase without confirmation of the title deed by a solicitor! Royal Estates does not deal with a property without title deeds!

Q:	How long does it normally take to complete the purchase of the property in North Cyprus?
A:	Be prepared to wait. It could take up to 12 months to complete the purchase, but there is nothing to worry about of course if you are not planning to sell the property during this period of time. You will be rewarded with the title deed of your dream home.

Q:	What are the terms of payment for buying a property in North Cyprus?
A:	The terms of payment depend upon the property you buy. Re-sale property is paid fully on the exchange of the contracts, however a reservation payment to your solicitor is advisable, which takes the property off the market until the title deeds are checked and the contracts are exchanged. . The payment terms for a newly built or built on order vary depending upon the construction firm. It could be from 100% upfront to 10-30% deposit with monthly installments afterwards till completion. Please indicate your financial position and your preferences regarding how you would prefer to settle your purchase. As we are not tied to one specific contractor we would be able to find the right property for sale in North Cyprus that would suit your financial status.

Q:	Are there any limitations to repatriate rental or any other income from North Cyprus?
A:	There is no limitation on repatriating the profits, including the rental income from your property in North Cyprus. No questions are asked about the source of income.

Q:	What is the banking system like? Is it possible to open a bank account in North Cyprus in £?
A:	There are a lot of local private banks in North Cyprus as well as branches of the Turkish banks. You would be able to open the currency accounts (in £) which offer good interest rates. However we do recommend you to go for the reputable banks as there were instances of bankruptcy of the local banks in the past. HSBC International has opened its branches in Kyrenia (Girne) and Nicosia (Lefkosa), which is a sign of financial and political stability on the island.

Q:	What are the major cities and what do they offer from the point of view of buying a property in North Cyprus?
A:	Lefkosa (Nicosia) – is the capital of the Northern part of the island with the population of 150,000 and it is divided into Turkish and Greek sectors by a boundary known as the `green line' which runs through the city. The place is fascinating with its history, architecture and places of interest. The place might attract the buyers who are planning to work for the local Government or international company. The investment in property here might be very rewarding if and when the island reunites. There is a massive potential for the investment growth. Gazi Magosa (Famagusta) – The place is like an outdoor museum in itself, but also there is so much historical interest concentrated with many museums. To name but a few, Saint Barnabas Monastery and Museum, Agios Ionnis Greek Orthodox Church and Icon Museum. This is a very much the cultural centre of the island, including the University. This area would appeal to families with children of different ages, just like Kyrenia. However, the landscape of this area is very different, it is more flat and the sea view is more restricted, but the golden sand beaches are the best on the whole island. This area is becoming increasingly popular amongst foreign buyers, not just the British. The British Community here is smaller than the one in Kyrenia at the moment, but this keeps the property prices lower and more attractive to other European buyers. Girne (Kyrenia) – is famous for its resorts, beautiful seaside, restaurants, casinos and large British community in the town itself and its vicinities. The head office of the British Residents Society is located here. There is Karmi (a British Village settlement), situated high in the mountains where the property for sale is leasehold, not freehold. Guzelyurt (Morfou) – is famous for its olive and orange trees orchards. It is located 30 miles in the west of Kyrenia (Girne). This area is famous for its tasty apples, vegetables, grapefruit and melons due to the underwater springs. Guzelyurt is also famous for its annual Orange Festival, which is a major event lasting two weeks. The golf club (9 holes) is located outside the town. It is open every day to the public. Clubs are available for hire at the clubhouse and the best days to meet and play with the friendly local members are Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, do not expect to see a sophisticated golf course by European standards. It is basic, but the views are fantastic. Imagine finishing the game just before the sun dips over the horizon across the blue shimmering sea.

Q:	What is the official language in the North Cyprus?
A:	The official language is Turkish; however English is a business language and widely spoken.

Q:	What is the time difference with the UK?
A:	Turkish Cyprus is two hours ahead of the UK GMT time.

Q:	Is North Cyprus recognised elsewhere in the world?
A:	The TRNC has an Embassy in Ankara and Consulates in Mersin and Istanbul; Offices of Representatives in London, Washington, New York, Brussels, Pakistan and Abu Dhabi's Honorary Representatives in Italy, Germany, Austria, Canada, South Africa and Finland. There is a Turkish Embassy, British High Commissioner and German Consulate in the TRNC.