TRNC pensioners to receive 40,000 lira; Kıb-Tek debtors to have 80% of late-payment penalties waived

The TRNC Council of Ministers published eight decrees with the force of law in the Official Gazette (Resmi Gazete). The main measures are a one-off payment of 40,000 lira to recipients of pensions and benefits from the Social Insurance Department, a waiver of penalties on electricity debts owed to Kıb-Tek, and a tax amnesty. All the decrees came into force on 3 October 2026.

The 40,000-lira payment marks the 50th anniversary of the Social Insurance Department and will be paid in November. It is available to anyone receiving a pension or benefit as of 6 November, as well as to those who apply by that date and become eligible for the payment. People receiving several benefits will get the bonus once, while widows, widowers and children awarded a survivor’s pension will each receive it separately.

Debtors of the state electricity company Kıb-Tek have been offered two options. Those paying in a lump sum must settle the principal debt and only 20% of the accumulated late-payment penalties; the rest will be waived. The second option is an instalment plan of up to 30 months, with an initial payment of at least 5%. For disputed bills and some uncollectible debts, instalments will be available for up to 10 years. Applications must be submitted within 90 days.

The tax amnesty applies to debts for 2024 and earlier. If the principal debt for 2023 and previous years is paid in full, the state will waive 90% of fines, penalties and interest; for debts from 2024, it will waive 50%. Under a six-month instalment plan, the discount is 10 percentage points lower. Applications are being accepted until 15 December 2026.

A separate decree concerns government support for social insurance contributions from September to November 2026. For women employees who are TRNC citizens, the state will cover 100% of the employer’s share; for men, it will cover 80%. The reimbursement for Turkish citizens and foreign nationals will be 15%, and in agriculture, industry, transport, the hotel business and gas supply, it will range from 50% to 100%.

The package also includes a decree allowing university students who were dismissed to be reinstated, as reported earlier: applications may be submitted within six months.