Buyer Guide
Cyprus Guide
Places to Visit
Ercan Airport
North Cyprus Cities Maps
Shopping in North Cyprus
North Cyprus Beaches
North Cyprus Hotels
North Cyprus Restaurants
Education in North Cyprus

Buying Land and Properties in North Cyprus Most people find the prospect of purchasing land overseas quite daunting, but here at North Cyprus Land Shop we are on hand to ensure the whole process from start to finish goes as smoothly as possible for our clients.

We have close relations with a Notary and a Law Firm which have offices in Nicosia and also here in Kyrenia. Both firms offer their services to our clients at competitive rates and both a Lawyer and a Notary are qualified to draw up a Purchase Contract. It's upto the customer which one you prefer to use.

Title Deeds
Turkish Title Deeds are the most secure type but are also the most expensive and are becoming quite limited.
Esdeger Title Deeds are considered safe and are more widely available. These are lands or properties which have already been compensated by a points system for lands that were lost in the south. Prices vary depending on area.
TMD Title Deeds are lands that were given as a gift from the North Cyprus government to Turkish mainlanders for army service and other reasons. These titles are considered controvercial due to changes in politics here. However, people are buying these title deeds in the ?safe areas? because they are still cheap.

Land Purchasing.
Land is measured in donums in North Cyprus :-

1 donum = 1/3 Acre or 1,338 square metres or 14,400 square feet.
1 Evlek = ¼ Donum or 3,600 square feet.
Ayak Kare means ?square feet?.

A foreign individual is allowed to purchase 1 Donum in their own name. If you would like to purchase more than this then a locally incorporated limited company must be set up. This procedure is quite standard and we can guide you through the procedure if you require.

Lands are selling very quickly and the prices are going up daily. Therefore it's wise to consider setting up your company prior to deciding on the right piece of land for you to purchase. If you purchase lands within your limited company it also means that you don't need to apply for permission to purchase and you can buy as much land as you like straight away once the company is set up.

Another alternative to consider is that a Mortgage can be put on a piece of land now whilst your company is being set up. This way, you would be expected to pay the full balance for the land up front and a charge on the land for 10% of it's value can be made against it. The title deed stays in the owners name but it is noted at the Land Registry that the land ha a charge on it, which means no-one else can purchase it. This gives you the time to set your company up, but the Sellor of the land has to agree to this structure.

Therefore, we recommend you set up the company first, then decide on the land to purchase.

Another alternative could be for a local Cypriot to buy the land in their name (as they can buy as much as they like) and the Notary or Lawyer draws up a Trust Agreement between yourself and the local. Once your purchase permit is granted the Title Deeds for the land is then transferred into your name, but please note this way you will have to pay double the tax on the purchase i.e. for the local Cypriot to purchase it in their name and also again when the Title is transferred into your own name. This point does need considering.

Overall the processes may seem different to purchasing in your home country, but we would like to assure all our clients that it is a relatively straightforward process. We are on hand throughout your transaction and we advise the simplest structure to purchase for you.

ASSOCIATED PURCHASE COSTS
We outline below general costs to consider associated with purchases Please note these are guideline figures only.

1- Solicitor's fee including permission to purchase aprox. £1200 or Notary's fee aprox £450.00
2- Deposit, 10% of purchase price.
3- Stamp duty Tax, 6% of purchase price to Land Registry Office
4- Council tax, 1% of purchase price

Any deposit monies paid to North Cyprus Land Shop are held in our Client Account.All prices are subject to change.


General information

Entry Requirements
A valid passport is required for entry.

Car Rental
Prices are excellent. You can hire a car with your driving licence. In North Cyprus you drive on the left. Wearing seat belts is compulsory. All sign posts are international and the roads in general ara in a good state.

Currency
The Turkish Lira (TL) is the currency used in North Cyprus. Foreign currencies and travellers cheques are accepted in banks, hotels and exchange offices. Most credit cards are valid in many places, and it is possible to withdraw money with these cards.

Hotels & Villas
Most of the tourist places are currently centered around Kyrenia and Famagusta, but the magnificent Karpas Peninsula is due to be developed. There are five, four and three star hotels in cities and tourist areas and inns. Flats and international villas can be found at the seaside or typically Cypriot villages.

Langugage
The official language is Turkish. English Language is widely spoken too.

Museums
During the summer period (May-October), opening times vary. For information contacts: The museum and Antiques Department: (0090 392) 227 29 16. During the winter opening hours are as follows: 9am - 2pm and 2pm - 4.25pm. Museums are closed on National holidays.

Shopping
Popular souvenirs include: Copper, silver, bronze and onyx objects, Turkish dolls, mercham pipes and tavla boards (found in souvenir shops and stalls), jewellery, leather clothes and the texiles can be purchased at low prices. Shop opening times are between 8am-1pm and 3.30pm-8pm. Markets are open mornings only. You can find many kinds of Turkish Cypriot cradtworks in many places of the island. Exports of antiques is illegal.

Telephone
From foreign countries dial 0090 392 followed by your number in North Cyprus. Town codes: Girne(Kyrenia) 81, Gazimagosa(Famagusta) 36, Lefkosa 22, Lefke 72 and Guzelyurt 71.

Transport
Taxi`s are in reasonable prices. Ask for a price before you depart. There is also a collective taxi system mainly using minibuses. Bus departures are frequent between big and smaller towns during the day. However, departure times are not fixed. Public transport service is less frequent after 5pm and during the weekend.

Electricity
240 volts. Plugs are in English standarts.

Tourist Information (UK)
North Cyprus Tourism Centre, 29 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3EG, UK Tel: 02076311930