1. Purpose of This Notice
This notice, issued by Investra International Ltd, 128 City Road, London EC1V 2NX, United Kingdom, summarises key legal particularities of acquiring immovable property in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) presented through the Investra platform. It is general information for prospective buyers, not legal advice, and must be read together with the Investment Disclaimer.
The TRNC legal framework differs materially from that of EU member states. Buyers should always instruct independent, locally licensed counsel before signing any document or paying any deposit.
2. Purchase Permit Requirement
Non-TRNC nationals require a purchase permit from the TRNC Council of Ministers before title to immovable property can be registered in their name. The application is made after signing the contract of sale and may take a substantial period to process; the contract should therefore regulate the parties' rights during the pending period.
Under current practice, a foreign individual may generally hold title to a limited number of properties within prescribed size limits; structuring beyond those limits (for example through TRNC companies or trustees) has legal and tax consequences that require specialist advice.
3. Title Deed Categories
Properties in the TRNC carry different title categories with different risk profiles. Buyers must verify the category and its history at the District Lands Office before contracting:
| Title category | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-1974 foreign / Turkish title | Title held by the same community before 1974; generally regarded as the most straightforward category |
| Exchange (Eşdeğer) title | Granted in exchange for property left in the south; recognition considerations apply outside the TRNC |
| Allocation (Tahsis) title | Allocated by the authorities after 1974; additional due diligence strongly recommended |
| Leasehold | Long-term state leases, common for certain coastal and investment zones |
The categorisation above is a simplification for orientation. The legal status, marketability and financing options of a specific parcel must be confirmed by local counsel.
4. Contract Registration
Contracts of sale should be registered at the District Lands Office within the statutory period following signature (currently 21 days under the Estate Agents Law framework). Registration protects the purchaser against subsequent encumbrances and double sales and is a precondition for specific performance claims.
Stamp duty at the applicable rate must generally be paid before registration; late payment attracts surcharges.
5. Taxes and Transaction Costs
Typical transaction costs include stamp duty, land registry transfer fees, VAT where the vendor is a professional developer, and municipal charges. Rates change from time to time and depend on whether buyer or seller options and exemptions are exercised; an indicative cost schedule is provided in each Listing and confirmed before reservation.
6. Restricted Zones
Property located within military zones or other restricted areas may not be acquired by foreign nationals or may require additional clearances. Proximity to restricted areas can affect permit outcomes; this is verified during the purchase permit process.
7. Payment Flows and Escrow
Reservation deposits and stage payments handled through the Platform are processed in accordance with the Booking Terms and held under the escrow or client-account arrangements identified in the Listing. Buyers should never make cash payments outside the documented payment schedule.
8. Inheritance and Resale
TRNC succession rules and any home-country conflict-of-laws rules affect inherited TRNC property. Resale before the purchase permit is granted is possible by contract assignment in certain cases but has tax and legal consequences; obtain advice before committing.
9. Contact
Questions about this notice may be addressed to compliance@investra.io. Market-specific guides are available in the help centre.