Northern Cyprus Residence Permit 2026: New Rules & Requirements

In October 2026, new rules came into force in Northern Cyprus regarding residence permits for foreign nationals who already own property with a registered title deed (TAPU) in their name, as well as those purchasing property under a sales contract where the TAPU has not yet been transferred.The changes mainly concern the duration of residence permits and income requirements.

If the property is already registered in the owner’s name

As of 2 October 2026, the duration of the residence permit depends on the total value of the property registered in the applicant’s name.If the TAPU is already registered in the applicant’s name and the total value of the purchased property is £300,000 or more, a residence permit may be granted for up to 10 years.If the TAPU is already registered in the applicant’s name, but the property value is below £300,000, a residence permit may be granted for up to 5 years.For this category of property owners, there is no requirement to prove regular income.

If the TAPU has not yet been transferred

For buyers who have not yet received the TAPU and apply for a residence permit based on a sales contract, separate rules apply.If the sales contract meets the relevant requirements and the property value is £300,000 or more, a 5-year residence permit may be obtained without the requirement to prove income.This is particularly relevant for buyers of new-build properties and properties where the transfer of the TAPU has not yet been completed.

If the property value under the contract is below £300,000

If the property value is below £300,000, the applicant must prove a regular monthly income of at least one minimum wage.Subject to the applicable requirements, the residence permit may be granted for up to 5 years.

What this means in practice

Property with a registered TAPU:

£300,000 or more → residence permit for up to 10 years;
below £300,000 → residence permit for up to 5 years;
no income proof is required.

Property purchased under a sales contract where the TAPU has not yet been transferred:

£300,000 or more → 5-year residence permit without income proof;
below £300,000 → proof of regular income of at least one minimum wage is required; the residence permit may be granted for up to 5 years.

Therefore, the £300,000 threshold is now particularly important: where the TAPU is already registered in the applicant’s name, it may allow a residence permit of up to 10 years; where the property is still held under a sales contract without a transferred TAPU, it may allow a 5-year residence permit without income proof.These provisions are based on the latest amendments to the İkamet İzinleri ve Vizeler Tüzüğü (Residence Permits and Visas Regulation) published in the Official Gazette of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in October 2026.

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