How property registration is conducted in Northern Cyprus

To register property in your name in Northern Cyprus, the process usually involves 5 steps: signing a sales contract, registering the contract with the tax office (often within 21 days; stamp duty 0.5%, late payment may be 1.5%), registering the contract with the land registry (TAPU), submitting an application to the Council of Ministers for approval, and then transferring the title deed to the buyer. According to current regulations, the title transfer period is often tied to obtaining approval or the final payment, with a guideline of up to 6 months.

• Step-by-step registration process
• Taxes and fees encountered in the process
• Frequently asked questions
• If you need help with registration and the transaction

Step-by-step registration process

The property registration process in Northern Cyprus usually looks like this:

• Signing the sales contract (Sales Contract) with attachments.
• Registering the contract with the tax office and paying mandatory contract-related fees (including stamp duty).
• Registering the contract with the land registry (TAPU / Land Registry) to formalize the buyer’s rights under the contract.
• Submitting an application to the Council of Ministers to obtain approval for transferring property rights to a foreign buyer (if applicable).
• Title transfer (Title Deed / kochan) to the buyer’s name and completion of property ownership registration.

How to do it

1. Prepare the sales contract and attachments (plans, permits, specifications, if any).
2. Register the contract with the tax office and pay the stamp duty within the prescribed period (guideline — 21 days from the date of signing).
3. Submit the documents for registration with the land registry (TAPU) to formalize your rights under the contract.
4. If you are a foreign buyer, submit an application for approval to the Council of Ministers (through a representative or lawyer).
5. After obtaining approval (or fulfilling payment conditions), complete the title transfer and pay final fees related to transferring ownership.

Taxes and fees encountered in the process

Detailed information is provided in the Cyprus-FAQ material on real estate transactions in Northern Cyprus.

If the Land Committee assesses the property’s value as undervalued, taxes and fees may be calculated based on the assessed value rather than the contract amount. Specific changes to rates and deadlines may be introduced by law, so it is advisable to verify the procedure and amounts for your transaction with a lawyer and the local tax office before payment.

Frequently asked questions

Who is entitled to conduct real estate transactions in Northern Cyprus?

According to current regulations, real estate activity can be carried out by companies that are members of the professional association of Northern Cyprus realtors.

What is a Title Deed (kochan) and why is it needed?

Title Deed (also referred to as "kochan," from the Turkish "Taşınmaz Mal Koçanı") is a property ownership document issued by the land registry (Land Registry / TAPU). Without the title, you do not become a full legal owner, even if you have a signed contract.

In what order are taxes usually paid when buying property?

Most often, stamp duty and contract registration-related payments are paid first, then VAT (per contract terms), and finally the title transfer fee during property registration.

Does a foreigner need Council of Ministers approval to register property ownership?

For certain transactions involving foreign buyers, submission of an application for approval to the Council of Ministers is required. The specific need depends on the buyer’s status and transaction parameters.

If you need help with registration and the transaction

If you are processing a property transaction or registration in Northern Cyprus and want to complete the procedure with document and risk verification, you can contact our legal partner — the company DeJure.

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