Is it possible to obtain a residence permit in Northern Cyprus with a rental agreement — rules and conditions

Many foreigners planning a long-term stay in Northern Cyprus without purchasing real estate are interested in the possibility of obtaining a "residence permit by rental." Below we explain what this term means, how this mechanism works in practice, and under what conditions it can actually be obtained.

• What is a "residence permit by rental" and how it works
• Where to seek help in obtaining a residence permit

What is a "residence permit by rental" and how it works

Formally, there is no type of residence permit called "residence permit by rental." The correct official name is Residence Permit for High Income.

So why is it called "by rental"? In everyday usage, this type of residence permit received this name because one of the key requirements is having a long-term rental agreement for housing registered with the tax office. However, the rental agreement itself is not the basis. It only confirms your place of residence.

The actual basis for this type of residence permit is financial capacity. That is, the applicant must confirm having sufficient funds in an account at a local bank, demonstrating their ability to live in the country without employment.

Thus, the correct combination of requirements is as follows:

• long-term housing rental + confirmed funds in a bank

Important: having deposits or regular income is considered preferable, since the Immigration Department assesses not only the presence of money at the time of application but also the financial stability of the applicant. The key condition is having a sufficient amount in a local bank account — this confirms your financial independence.

More details on the procedure for obtaining this type of residence permit can be found in our special article.

Who most often obtains this type of residence permit?

• pensioners living on savings or pensions;
• freelancers and remote workers;
• relocators renting housing and not planning to buy real estate;
• families moving without employment within the country.

In practice, this option allows you to live in Northern Cyprus legally and without the need to purchase real estate, making it one of the most accessible ways to obtain a residence permit.

If you want to obtain a residence permit without unnecessary mistakes and problems

Contact our partner — the law firm DeJure.

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