The Most Popular Legal Services in Northern Cyprus

Property owners in Northern Cyprus have recently been faced with new laws introduced by the government in 2024. These legal changes have significantly impacted the real estate sector.

However, it’s not just real estate services that have become highly sought after. We asked the experts at De Jure Consulting to share the five most in-demand legal services the firm has recently provided.

• Where It All Began
• The Most Popular Legal Services in TRNC
• Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate in TRNC

Where It All Began

The encounter with the new law has not been smooth for many. Under the new rules, property buyers must register the sales agreement and submit an application to the Council of Ministers for approval of their purchase within six months of the law coming into effect, meaning by November 21, 2024.

Additionally, if you purchase more than one property, you are required to declare any “excess” properties. If you file this declaration within six months of the law’s enactment, a 1% tax on the property’s value is charged. If submitted after the six-month deadline, this tax increases to 3%.

Once the declaration is filed, you have 24 months to sell or transfer any excess properties. We’ve discussed this in more detail in our article about the new law.

The Most Popular Legal Services in TRNC

These legislative changes have led to a surge in demand for legal services, particularly those related to real estate transactions in Northern Cyprus.

Contract Registration
Previously, many buyers did not register their sales contracts with the tax office to avoid paying taxes. Some planned to resell the property for profit, while others had different reasons. Now, however, contract registration has become mandatory, and time is running out for those who haven't done so.

Read more: How to register a sales contract yourself?

To save time, stress, and money, it’s wise to consult professionals. At De Jure, our experienced real estate lawyers can help you complete the process efficiently.

Title Deed Transfer
This process involves officially transferring the property into your name. When purchasing directly from a developer, the title deed is initially registered in the company’s name. To transfer it, you must submit an application to the TRNC Council of Ministers and receive approval for the purchase. You’ll then need to work with the developer, pay the associated fees (including stoppage and VAT), and complete the transfer.

Read more: How to get Council of Ministers approval for property purchases?
Handling this yourself can be even more challenging than registering the sales contract. Seeking legal assistance is highly recommended. De Jure’s specialized lawyers are well-versed in these procedures and can assist you.

Property Encumbrance Check
This is a critical step to ensure that the property you’re purchasing is free of any hidden encumbrances or liabilities. If any are discovered after the sale, the transaction could be invalidated. Licensed lawyers are the only ones with access to all the necessary records.

More about property checks
Drafting a Will
You can draft a will in Northern Cyprus even if you don’t own any property. The process is straightforward and is often done for children and spouses. For all the details, you can consult De Jure’s legal team.

Setting Up a Company in Northern Cyprus
You can register two types of companies in Northern Cyprus: one for local operations and one for international activities. While the requirements for both are similar, there are differences in taxation and other specifics. You can read more about the different company types below.

• How to open a local company in Northern Cyprus
• How to open a company for international operations in Northern Cyprus

You can request these services or seek consultation from the business law experts at De Jure, who specialize in company formation in the TRNC.

Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate in TRNC

Why might your application for property purchase approval be denied?
Your application can be rejected if it is incorrectly filled out, if you have a criminal record (especially a serious one or one flagged by Interpol), or if the property is located near a strategic area (including military bases).

Who is allowed to conduct real estate transactions in Northern Cyprus?
By law, only companies registered with the Northern Cyprus Realtors Association are permitted to engage in real estate transactions. We’ve compiled a list of such real estate agencies in a dedicated section.

How much does it cost to maintain a property in Northern Cyprus?
Monthly maintenance costs depend on the size of your property, the available infrastructure, and any additional services such as apartment or house maintenance. These costs include payments to the management company (for waste disposal and general maintenance), water, and electricity. We’ve analyzed the cost of these services for 2024.

Join the Northern Cyprus Telegram forum, where you can find a dedicated FAQ chat about real estate with over 20,000 members ready to answer your questions.