Residency and Citizenship in North Cyprus

Residency permit

Given that the person intending to apply for residency in North Cyprus has initiated the property purchasing and the person has a clean police background check; the person becomes eligible to apply for residency and reside in the country while this is being processed.

To initiate this process the buyer does not need to obtain title deed to the property in their name nor that they need to payoff the property or pay any minimum sum of the property value in North Cyprus. The value of the property is also not of relevance, there are no required minimum sum of money/ investment criteria for residency, unlike other parts of the Europe.

If relatives and/or family members of the buyer wishes to apply for residency in North Cyprus using the purchased property in question, they either need to be the children of the buyer that are younger than 18 years of age or they need to be the legally wedded husband/wife. If anyone else other than mentioned family members wishes to apply for residency, for example a parent of the buyer, older children or siblings, their name should also be in the contract of sale and they need to own some rights to the property being purchased.

This is a very straightforward application, and the buyer can reside in the country while their application is being processed, and the buyer holds the right to reapply. This is a formality, as having purchased a property with a Government registered Contract of Sale makes the buyer eligible for residency given that they have a clean background report.

Requirements for the ‘Permanent Residency Scheme’;

Persons must be present at the time of application in relevant Government Offices

Passport original and photocopy

Owning a property/land in Cyprus (Contract of Sale deposited to the District Land Registry) or in-case of purchasing a resale, the Title Deed of the property

Must open up a local bank account in applicant’s name

Proof of sufficient funds to support the buyer. Before application, persons must open up a local bank account and deposit 8000GBP (one year equivalent to the minimum wage) as proof of sufficient funds to support themselves for two years. The value of the investment is not of relevance.

Health tests obtained from the licensed clinics or State Hospital

Proof of adress obtained in letter (Ikametgah belgesi) form from local Muhtar (Village chief)

Clean background checks obtained from your local Police Department

It is important to note that the residency permit only entitles the person to live in North Cyprus. It does not entitle the person to work or set up a business. To do these, the person either needs a work permit or a permit to set up a business. The residency permit should be renewed every year by following the same procedure except for the hospital check.

It should be noted that children under the age of 18 years, do not require residency permits. Therefore, families moving to North Cyprus only need to apply for residency for the adult members of the family.

Citizenship

Becoming a citizen of North Cyprus is not granted. However, citizenship is granted to all persons whose mother or father is a Cypriot or to those married to a Cypriot. At the moment, there is a new law in Parliament to allow foreign nationals to become citizens after 10 years of residence.

Soylem Coli          

Broker Assistant, Avertiss Real Estate

March 11, 2021. Kyrenia, North Cyprus.