Obtaining Residence Permit (for Northern Cyprus property owners)
The basis for obtaining a residence permit for real estate is:
1. Contract of Sale or
2. Title deed (ownership of real estate) registered in the name of the owner
• There is no limit on the cost of real estate (it is enough to buy the cheapest apartment, for example, for 80 000 euros)
• It is not necessary to set up a business or company
• There is no limit on the period of stay in the country
• The procedure of obtaining the TRNC residence permit is quite easy
• To obtain the residence permit, you do not need to pass any exams
An adult citizen of any country can obtain the residence permit of Northern Cyprus.
Conditions for applying for a residence permit for foreigners owning the residential real estate:
1. The property must be suitable for habitation
2. If the Title Deed (document of ownership) is issued in shares to several people, then the residence permit is issued only to one of the owners
3. Family members of the owner can apply for a family residence permit
4. If there is a Title Deed for real estate in the name of the applicant (property owner), the residence permit can be issued for a period of 5 (five) years without any income requirements
5. If the cost of the property has been paid in full, but the Title Deed has not been transferred to the name of the owner, then to obtain the residence permit, the applicant must show proof of funds in a bank account (Important! Income deposited in the bank must be equal to the amount of 1 minimum salary per month (51 202 Turkish lira) multiplied by the requested validity period of the residence permit (for each family member) (min. salary * 12 * 5)
• A copy of the application to the Council of Ministers for transfer of the Title Deed to the property owner’s name
6. If payments for real estate are not completed (installment/loan under Contract of Sale) – it is necessary:
• pay the first installment – not less than 30% of the cost
• provide a bank statement proving availability on the bank account of 1 minimum monthly salary (51 202 Turkish lira) multiplied by the requested validity period of the residence permit (for each family member) (min salary * 12 * 5), as well as the amount of the monthly installment specified in the Contract of Sale
• A copy of the application to the Council of Ministers for transfer of the Title Deed to the owner’s name
7. It is necessary to undergo a medical examination in a state hospital of the TRNC (to check the absence any dangerous infectious diseases)
8. The insurance policy has to be paid upon receipt of the residence permit.
The following documents must be sent to the migration department of the local police:
• Certificate of residence (“Ikametgah Belgesi”) received from the local authorities (“Belediye”)
• Bank account statement
• Registered Contract of Sale + purchase approval application number, or
• Title Deed issued in the name of the owner
• Passport:
1. valid for no less than 6 months (for non-EEC citizens)
2. valid for no less than 2 months (for EEC citizens or citizens of states that have official representative offices in the TRNC)
• 2 photographs 3x4
• Stamps (“Damga Pulu”). Check the required amount at the time of submission.
In case of applying for the residence permit for family members of the property owner, documents confirming the relationship (marriage certificate and/or birth certificate for children under 18) must also be submitted.
The residence permit is issued by migration services no later than within 30 days.
The residence permit can be issued for up to 5 (five) years:
1. When purchasing real estate in Northern Cyprus, all members of the buyer’s family have the right to obtain the residence permit.
2. Children under 18, as well as disabled persons residing in the TRNC with their parents/legal guardians do not need to obtain the residence permit, as these categories of citizens are automatically registered if the residence permit is granted to their parents/legal guardians.
After you have received the residence permit, you have the right to stay in Northern Cyprus and not leave it for the duration of the residence permit.
You can extend your residence permit for a new period by submitting an application no earlier than 60 days and no later than 20 days before the expiration of the current permit.
Why do you need the residence permit?
There is an opinion that the residence permit in Northern Cyprus is only needed so that you do not have to constantly leave and come back to the country to renew a short-term visa. This is only a partial benefit of having the residence permit.
Having received the residence permit in Northern Cyprus, you, as a foreign citizen, will have the right to:
• get health insurance
• educate children in public schools for free
• open accounts in local banks
• British, German, US, Italian visas under a simplified procedure (the embassies of these countries are located on the territory of the TRNC)
Important! Having the residence permit only gives you the right to permanent residence (within the validity of the residence permit) in Northern Cyprus. It does not give you the right to work or run a business in the TRNC. To set up a business or find employment in Northern Cyprus, you must obtain additional permission.
Citizenship of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
Citizenship of the TRNC can be granted to foreign citizens who have made a particularly significant contribution to the economy/politics of the country.
We will help!
Our specialists will provide free consultations that will help you to:
1. Collect the necessary package of documents
2. Make the necessary translations
3. Open an account in a local bank
4. Resolve the necessary issues at all stages of obtaining a residence permit.
