Against the background of the crisis caused by the pandemic, squatting is gathering pace in Europe. This is the name of the so called unauthorized occupation of an empty house.

Now the owners of overseas properties have all the more reason for concern: their empty houses can be occupied by unknown people without any asking. This problem has existed in Europe for quite some time, but now it has become much more of a concern for the owners of houses and apartments.

In some European countries, such as Spain, the law may take the side of the squatter rather than the owner. Therefore, the problem is more acute there.

This year, the European Commission has eased quarantine, has lifted restrictions on translocating within the Union, and has allowed citizens of a number of countries to enter the Schengen area.  So, when the owners of European real estate arrive in the Mediterranean resorts for vacations, some of them are getting shocked: the housing left unattended for a long time is occupied by vagrants and homeless persons.
It may not be easy or sometimes just impossible to evict uninvited guests in accordance with the laws in force in some countries.

And even the police will not be able to help you with this. Of course, being inflamed with wrath and having lost self-control you could even break into your own house by force, but in this case it will lead the owner and not the squatter to the police station.
For example, in Spain the police do not have the right to enter the “captured” house, even if the owner of the property presents all the necessary documents. The owner will not even be allowed to take his personal belongings if the "guest" does not give them at his own wish.
So goodness knows what surprises owners of property in the Mediterranean can find when they arrive home after a long absence.

Fortunately, this does not regard Northern Cyprus, there is no such problem here. All real estate units in Northern Cyprus, even in the absence of the owners, are effectively protected, because they are constantly being serviced by a management company. What is more, the laws of the island are always on the side of the property owner.