WHAT IS THE
QUICKEST WAY TO GET TO NORTHERN CYPRUS?
The main airport in
Northern Cyprus is Ercan which has recently been modernised and there is a back-up
airport at Gecitkale. There are no direct flights to Northern Cyprus other than
from Turkey, therefore, all flights are routed through Turkey where a stop over
at either Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya or Dalaman is made for a period of around 45
minutes before continuing your journey to Northern Cyprus. Flights from the UK
can be taken from most of the larger airports and including the stop in Turkey
flıght times are approximately 6 hours with a 20/30/40 minute drive to Lefkoşa (Nicosia),
Girne (Kyrenia) or Gazi Mağusa (Famagusta).
Alternatively, you can
fly to Larnaca or Paphos in Southern Cyprus where the flight time is
approximately 4.5 hours then a 1.5/3 hour drive to Northern Cyprus.
WHAT
FLIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE TO NORTHERN CYPRUS NOW?
Northern
Cyprus has dırect air links only wıth Turkey, where all planes from Europe must
land prior to flying on to Northern Cyprus. This is due to the chşcago
Convention whereby Northern Cyprus has no recognised international ports and all
air and sea traffic must land in Turkey before proceeding to Northern Cyprus as
an ‘internal’ flight. More than 120 flights arrive at Ercan Airport per week
during the summer months and currently approximately 30
flights per week arrive from UK airports (ie Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and
Manchester). For passenger convenience most flights arrive in Northern Cyprus in
the evening and some overnight flights are also available. In addition, flights
are available from Dublin, Glasgow and Birmingham but these will necessitate a
change of plane in Turkey.
WHAT IS
THE COST OF LIVING IN NORTHERN CYPRUS?
The cost
of living in Northern Cyprus is relatively cheap compared to the UK, other
Mediterranean countries and most of Europe. Utility bills are on average
approximately £70 per
month for mains water, electricity and annual council tax. Most properties are
built with solar water heating systems which are efficient and cost-effective.
However, dependent upon the type of property you purchase there are other
factors to take into account. For instance, do you have a pool? Is this private
or communal? If you purchase a property on a complex or an apartment what are
the maintenance charges?
With regard to food/drink,
in recent years the number of supermarkets that sell foreign food, including
leading English brands, has grown, which has brought the cost of these foods
down in price, however, they are more expensive than in the UK. Locally produced
foods are cheaper than imported foods, are varied and of good quality. Alcohol
and cigarettes are exceptionally good value as these are much cheaper than in
the UK.
There are restaurants
galore
in Northern Cyprus where every taste and pocket is catered for. An average
restaurant bill with drinks is around £15-25 per person.
HOW
LONG CAN A FOREIGNER STAY İN NORTHERN CYPRUS?
On arrival in Northern
Cyprus most British citizens or Western Europeans would be issued with a 90 day
visa. Should you decide to stay longer you can apply for an extension or, should
you decide to settle here permanently you would need to apply for a residency
permıt. We can point you in the right direction on how to go about this.
ARE
THERE ANY LIMITATIONS ON THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY BY FOREIGNERS IN NORTHERN
CYPRUS?
Yes,
there is a limitation. The land in Northern Cyprus is measured in dönüms (1
dönüm = 1,338 m2/approximately 1/3 acre) and foreigners are limited to
purchasing 1 dönüm, which will satisfy the majority of our clients. However,
should you want a larger piece of land/plot you can achieve this by including
other members of your family as owners or by forming a local company when the
property/land would be purchased in the company’s name.
WHAT ARE
THE PROCEDURES TO PURCHASE PROPERTY IN NORTHERN CYPRUS?
Should
you decide to purchase a property whilst you are in Northern Cyprus
- Please ensure
you are able to pay approximately £1,000 as a reservation deposit. It is not
possible to pay this by cheque and many people will not accept a credit card
payment for this.
- You will need
to see a lawyer during your visit and issue him/her with a Power of Attorney so
that he is able to act for you in your absence.
- The
lawyer will check and confirm Title Deeds and if these are in order a Contract
of Sale will be drawn up. The contract will define payment terms, completion
date and other points of importance.
- Stamp
Duty is paid to the Tax Office within 1 month of signing of contracts and the
contract is then lodged with the Land Registry Department.
- A Subject
Access Form must be applied for from your local Police Headquarters to confirm
that you have no serious criminal convictions and your lawyer will present this
and other information to the Council of Ministers who need to approve your
permission to purchase, following which Title Deeds will be issued in your name.
- When your
permission to purchase has been approved VAT and Transfer Fee must be paid by
the purchaser and Capital Gains Tax is paid by the vendor.
WHAT
ARE THE COSTS INVOLVED WHEN PURCHASING A PROPERTY IN NORTHERN CYPRUS?
- Lawyers’ costs
are in the region of £1,000-£1,200, however, please note that some lawyers
charge an hourly rate which could increase your costs dramatically. We can recommend
you to one of several lawyers who is conversant in your language.
- Stamp Duty
(0.5%) is paid on signing of contract, VAT (5%) and Transfer fees (3% option for
first purchase) are paid once permissions are granted. These three taxes are
generally paid by the purchaser. Capital Gains Tax is paid by the Vendor.
Percentages are based on the contract price of the property.
-
Electricity, water and gas installation costs should also be considered,
especially if your purchase is in isolation to the main road, a village or other
construction.
In effect, you can
expect to add a further 10% onto the purchase price to cover the above items but
please see our Buyers Guide for more information.
WHAT
TYPE OF TITLE DEEDS ARE AVAILABLE?
Similar
to the UK there are leasehold and freehold properties, however, leasehold
properties are, as a rule, once derelict properties which are leased from the
Government for a period of 49 years. Ground rent is negligible but it is the
lessee’s responsibility to maintain and upkeep the property. Karmi Village, in
the mountains above Girne, is a good example of leasehold property where
originally all foreign nationals settled.
There are
various types of Title Deed for Freehold property and these differ significantly.
-
Turkish Title
These lands/properties
were Turkish Cypriot owned prior to 1974.
-
Foreign Title
These lands/properties
were Foreign owned (British, German, American etc) prior to 1974.
-
TRNC Title (Eşdeğer – Exchange Title)
These lands/properties
were Greek owned prior to 1974. Following the liberation of the Turkish Cypriot
people in 1974 they were forced to migrate to the North of the island leaving
everything they owned in the South. The Government awarded these Turkish
Cypriots properties/lands according to the value of the properties/lands they
had had to leave in the South. These were awarded on a points basis and based
upon the amount of points awarded these Turkish Cypriots could take Greek
Cyprıot properties/lands to the equivalent of that which they had left ın the
South. Their properties/lands in the South were signed over to the TRNC
government who are holding them until a settlement is agreed between themselves
and the government of South Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot owners of these former
Greek Cypriot properties/lands were then issued with a Title Deed but were
unable to sell such assets until this was issued.
-
TMD Title
These
lands/properties were Greek Cypriot owned prior to 1974 and no Title Deeds have
yet been issued. These lands/properties are usually offered for sale at lower
prices.
PLEASE
NOTE If you do not have the Title Deeds checked by your lawyer your home could
be at risk.
HOW
LONG DOES IT NORMALLY TAKE TO FULLY COMPLETE THE PURCHASE OF A PROPERTY İN
NORTHERN CYPRUS?
Be
prepared to wait! It can take up to 2 years to fully complete the purchase, ie
receive the Title Deeds in your name, however, the Government are making inroads
into reducing the timescale. This is nothing to worry about as long as you are
not planning to sell the property within this time (see our Sellers Guide).
WHAT
ARE THE TERMS OF PAYMENT FOR PURCHASING A PROPERTY IN NORTHERN CYPRUS?
The terms
of payment depend entirely upon the type of property you decide to purchase. Re-sale
and completed new properties are paid for in full at exchange of contracts,
however, it is advisable to have paid a reservation deposit to ensure the
property is taken off the market. This will be taken off the total payment.
Payment
terms for partially constructed, off plan or custom built properties vary
depending on the construction company, and payments can vary from 10-30% deposit
with stage payments being made at various construction stages, or you could pay
100% in advance.
Although
we are a construction company in our own right we sell properties for other
construction companies, therefore, if we have some knowledge of your financial
status this can help us enormously in choosing the right properties to suit your
requirements.
IS IT
POSSIBLE TO BRING PERSONAL POSSESSIONS SUCH AS FURNITURE / PETS INTO THE COUNTRY?
It is
possıble to bring personal possessions to Northern Cyprus although there is
generally duty to pay to the Customs Department. There are various companies
that offer this service and price is calculated upon the cubic metre capacity of
the container. We would recommend that you make enquiries and obtain quotes
before making a decision and we can supply you with information should you
require.
Bringing your pet from
Europe to Northern Cyprus can be easily arranged.
The Ministry of Agriculture
requires you to
provide a certificate from a European vet stating that your pet is free from any
major disease. Your pet will then be kept in quarantine at the government
facility in Lefkoşa, usually for four weeks. However, care for your pet is your
responsibility and you must feed and exercise your pet yourself every day as
this service is not provided.
IS A
LOCAL DRIVING LICENCE REQUIRED IN NORTHERN CYPRUS?
In
Northern Cyprus traffic keeps to the left, as in many other ex-colonies. You can
drive on your ordinary licence for a period of 90 days after which time you must
apply for a TRNC driving licence.
ARE
THERE ANY LIMITATIONS ON REPATRIATİNG RENTAL OR OTHER INCOMES FROM NORTHERN
CYPRUS?
There is
no limitation on repatriating profits, including rental income from your
property in Northern Cyprus. There are no questions asked about the origin of
income.
WHAT IS
THE BANKING SYSTEM LIKE? IS IT POSSIBLE TO OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT IN NORTHERN
CYPRUS?
There are
many local private banks in Northern Cyprus as well as branches of Turkish banks.
You can open a GBP sterling account, which offers reasonable interest rates. If
you become a resident you are able to open YTL accounts as well. We do recommend
that you go to a reputable bank, such as HSBC, Türkbank and others, who have
branches in the main areas of Northern Cyprus.
WHAT
ARE THE MAJOR TOWNS/CITIES ıN NORTHERN CYPRUS AND WHAT DO THEY OFFER?
Lefkoşa
Lefkoşa
(Nicosia) is the capital of Northern Cyprus with a population of 150,000. The
city is fascinating, being steeped in history, architecture and places of
interest. Lefkoşa is the business and commercial area of Northern Cyprus and
therefore might attract purchasers planning to work for the local government or
for international companies. Any investment in property here might be very
rewarding if and when Northern and Southern Cyprus are reunited. There is masive
potential for investment growth here.
Gazi
Mağusa
The main
port of Northern Cyprus is at Gazi Mağusa (Famagusta) and this is also home to
the main cultural area of Northern Cyprus. The city itself is like an outdoor
museum with many historical sites and places of interest. The landscape in Gazi
Mağusa is relatively flat in comparison with Girne but its golden sandy beaches
are beautiful. This area is likely to suit families with children, as is Girne,
but property prices here are slightly less expensive.
Girne
Girne (Kyrenia)
is the most popular area for foreign purchasers and has a large British
community. The scenery and sea views are stunning with the blue of the
Mediterranean to the north and the backdrop of the Beşparmak mountain range to
the south. The area is prosperous with many shops, hotels, restaurants, casinos,
golf course and, of course, historical sites and places of interest. The
majority of foreign residents live in Girne and the head office of the British
Residents’ Society is based here.
Guzelyurt
Guzelyurt
(Morphou) is located 30 miles west of Girne and the area is particularly famous
for its citrus and olive orchards. Apples, pears, grapefruit, melons and all
manner of tasty fruits and vegetables are grown there due to the underground
water springs in the area. In fact, Guzelyurt hosts an annual Orange Festival,
which is a major event lasting 2 weeks. Places of historical interest are in
evidence there as in all areas of Northern Cyprus. A 9-hole golf course is
situated just outside the town, which is open every day. Clubs are available to
hire and should you want to meet some of the friendly, local members and perhaps
have a round with them, Tuesday and Thursday are the best days. However, so you
will not be disappointed, this golf course is not up to European standards but
the location is fantastic and you can watch the sun going down over the blue
waters of the Mediterranean as you sink your last ball. Foreign property owners
have not settled in Guzelyurt to the same degree as in the other major towns and
prices remain relatively low.
WHAT IS
THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF NORTHERN CYPRUS?
The
official language of Northern Cyprus is Turkish, however, English is widely
spoken in business and commercial circles. Many people speak a small amount of
English and are eager to learn. There are good Turkish/English teachers here if
you want to try your hand at learning the language.
WHAT IS
THE TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORTHERN CYPRUS AND THE UK?
Northern Cyprus is 2
hours ahead of the UK. This is consistent throughout the year as clocks go
forward/back in Spring and Autumn as they do in the UK.
IS THE
TRNC RECOGNISED ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD?
The TRNC
has an Embassy in Ankara and Consulates in Mersin and İstanbul. There are
Offices of Representatives in London, Washington, New York, Brussels, Pakistan
and Abu Dhabi. There are also Honorary Representatives in Italy, Germany,
Austria, Canada, South Africa and Finland.
There is
a Turkish Embassy, British High Commission and German Consulate in the TRNC.