North Cyprus Transfer Fee 2026: Foreign Buyers Pay Just 4% Until 5 January 2027
Good news for anyone planning to buy a home in North Cyprus: the title deed transfer fee for foreign buyers has been cut by more than half. Under a new regulation published in the Official Gazette in October 2026, a foreign buyer now pays a total of 4% on a first property instead of 9%. The reduced rates apply until 5 January 2027, so the next few weeks are an unusually good moment to complete a purchase.
What has changed?
The Council of Ministers amended the Land Registry fees regulation (Tapu ve Kadastro Dairesi Harçlar ve Ücretler Tüzüğü). The new table was published in the Official Gazette No. 196 on 6 October 2026 and again in No. 197 on 7 October 2026. For sales to foreigners, the total fee now depends on how many properties the buyer already owns:
| Purchase | Total transfer fee (foreign buyers) |
|---|---|
| First property | 4% |
| Second property | 5.5% |
| Third property | 6% |
Before this change, foreign buyers paid 9% on a first property. The new total is made up of the transfer fee itself and two smaller items listed in the same table, so the figure above is everything the Land Registry charges for the transfer.
How long do the new rates apply?
The regulation came into force on the day it was published and stays in force until 5 January 2027, including that day. After that date the Council of Ministers may extend it or return to the previous rates. Because the fee is paid at the Land Registry, ask your lawyer early which step of your purchase falls inside this period and plan your timetable together.
Citizens of Turkey and other buyers
The same table sets separate rates for citizens of countries that recognise the TRNC: 4% for the first and second property, 5.5% for the third and fourth, and 6% for the fifth and sixth. TRNC citizens have their own, lower rates.
The other purchase costs in 2026
- Stamp duty: 0.5% of the contract value, paid when the contract is registered.
- VAT: usually 5% on new-build homes bought from a developer; resales between private owners are normally VAT-free.
- Legal fees: agreed in writing with your lawyer before you sign.
Our buyer’s guide to North Cyprus property lists every cost, from viewing trips to the final handover.
What foreign buyers can buy in 2026
The lower fee comes at the same time as clearer ownership rules. Under Decree-Law 119/2026, published in the Official Gazette No. 196 on 6 October 2026, a foreign individual can acquire, for example, up to three apartments or one detached house on a plot of up to 3,300 m². The sales contract must be registered at the Land Registry within one month, and the title deed is transferred within one year of the Council of Ministers’ decision. Read the full overview in our guide to North Cyprus property law 2026.
How to make the most of the reduced fee
- Choose your area and property type early. Our guides to buying an apartment and buying a villa in North Cyprus help you compare.
- Appoint a lawyer and ask them to check the title deed, the building permit and any debts on the project.
- Sign and register the contract, and ask your lawyer to confirm which fee rate applies to your transaction.
- If you live abroad, give your lawyer a power of attorney so that deadlines are met without travelling.
Every step is explained in our step-by-step legal guide to buying property in North Cyprus, from reservation to title deed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the transfer fee for foreigners in North Cyprus in 2026?
From 6 October 2026 until 5 January 2027, a foreign buyer pays a total of 4% on a first property, 5.5% on a second and 6% on a third.
Was the transfer fee 9% before?
Yes. Since 15 May 2025 foreign buyers paid 9% on a first property. The October 2026 regulation lowered it to 4% until 5 January 2027.
Will the 4% rate continue after 5 January 2027?
That depends on a new decision of the Council of Ministers. We will update this article as soon as a new regulation is published.
Do I still pay stamp duty and VAT?
Yes. Stamp duty of 0.5% and, on most new builds, 5% VAT are separate from the transfer fee.
Talk to our team
Luxury Life Property Cyprus helps you find the right home, check it with a lawyer and complete the purchase from abroad while the reduced fee applies. Browse our properties for sale in North Cyprus or contact us on WhatsApp at +90 533 886 6891 for a free consultation.
Sources
- TRNC Official Gazette No. 197, 7 October 2026 — Land Registry and Cadastre (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulation (in Turkish)
- TRNC Official Gazette No. 196, 6 October 2026 — Land Registry fees amendment and Decree-Law 119/2026 (in Turkish)
Information in this article is as of October 2026.
