Permission to Purchase (PTP) in North Cyprus
PTP is the government's “yes” that lets a foreign buyer put a home in their own name. Here is what it is, how to apply in 2026, what it costs and how long it takes.
Short answer
PTP is a permit from the North Cyprus Council of Ministers. Every foreign buyer, including Turkish citizens, needs one for every property. Turkish Cypriots (TRNC citizens) do not. Your lawyer applies online to the Ministry of Interior after your sales contract is registered. The fee is half the monthly minimum wage (30,309 TL in April 2026). Most permits take 1–6 months. Once approved, pay your taxes within 75 working days and move the title deed into your name within 1 year.
What you need to apply
Your lawyer collects most of these. Send clear, readable copies: blurry scans slow everything down.
TRNC citizens buy like locals, with no permit and no limit.
Up to 6 apartments or 3 houses.
Up to 3 apartments or 2 houses.
Not sure which group you are in? See Foreigners buying in North Cyprus
Your PTP document list
| Document | Who provides it | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Passport copy | You | Must be valid. Your name must match the contract exactly. |
| Criminal record certificate | The police in your home country | Order it early: it is the most common delay. Many lawyers ask for it apostilled. |
| Registered sales contract (or title deed) | Your lawyer / the Land Registry | The contract must be registered before you apply. |
| Site plan approved by the Land Registry | The seller or developer | Shows where the home sits on the land. |
| Architectural site plan | The developer or architect | Shows the building layout. |
| Building permit | The developer | Needed if the title deed is not issued yet (off-plan homes). |
| Application fee | You, by card | 30,309 TL (April 2026): half the monthly minimum wage. |
Who checks your file? The Land Registry, the police and security services, and the Ministry of Interior. The final decision is made by the Council of Ministers.
Don't miss your PTP deadlines
Enter your approval date. We will show the key dates, so your permit is never cancelled by mistake.
Pick your approval date to see your deadlines.
Weekends are skipped. Public holidays are not, so the real deadline may be a few days later: keeping to these earlier dates keeps you safe. Always confirm dates with your lawyer.
The PTP process, step by step
Seven steps. Your lawyer does most of the work: your job is to send documents quickly and keep an eye on the dates.
Sign and register your contract
Your lawyer registers the sales contract at the Land Registry within 21 days of signing. You pay 0.5% stamp duty.
Within 21 daysCollect your documents
Passport, criminal record certificate and the property papers in the table above.
1–3 weeksApply online
Your lawyer files the application in the Ministry of Interior's online system and pays the fee.
30,309 TLThe checks
Security, land and ministry checks run in the background. Answer any questions fast to avoid delays.
1–6 monthsThe decision
The Council of Ministers approves the permit. Your deadlines start on this day.
Day 0Pay your taxes
Pay the 9% transfer fee (plus 5% VAT on a new home) within 75 working days.
Within 75 working daysTransfer the title deed
Finish the transfer at the Land Registry within 1 year. If you pay in instalments, within 1 year of your last payment.
Within 1 year
We follow your PTP until the title deed is yours
A PTP has hard deadlines. Miss one and the permit can be cancelled. We make sure that never happens to our clients.
- 24+years selling homes across North Cyprus
- ≈1,000homes: the biggest portfolio in North Cyprus
- 3area teams: Kyrenia, Iskele and Lefkoşa
- 1rule: integrity first, your protection always
Documents right the first time
We check your papers before they go in, so your file is not sent back.
Every deadline tracked
We keep track of the 75-day tax date and the 1-year transfer date for you, and remind you in good time.
Regular updates
You hear from us at every stage. You never have to chase.
Strong local links
We work with independent lawyers and developers every day, so questions get answered fast.
Our in-house conveyancing department
Our own conveyancing team handles the paperwork for every buyer, whether you are Turkish Cypriot, Turkish or foreign: contract registration, the PTP application, tax payments, the title deed transfer, utilities and residence permits. They work hand in hand with your independent lawyer, so nothing is missed.
Questions buyers ask us
PTP means Permission to Purchase. It is a permit from the Council of Ministers that lets a foreign person or company own property in North Cyprus. The title deed cannot go into your name without it.
No. TRNC citizens are not foreign buyers, so they never need a PTP and have no limit on how many homes they buy.
Yes. Every purchase by a foreign buyer needs its own approval, including a second or third home.
Yes. Turkish citizens are treated as foreign buyers in North Cyprus, so they need a PTP too. They do have higher limits: up to 6 apartments or 3 houses.
Since the 2025 reform, applications are made online and the target is 45 working days. In real life, most files take 1 to 6 months. For off-plan homes, the application is often made in the months before completion.
Usually yes. Once your contract is registered, you can normally move in or rent the home out while you wait. Make sure your contract says so.
Refusals are rare and are usually linked to the security check. Ask your lawyer to add a clause to your contract that says what happens to your money if the permit is refused.
The permit can be cancelled and penalties can apply, and you may have to start again. Put the dates in your calendar on the day of approval: our calculator above helps.
The government fee is half the monthly minimum wage: 30,309 TL in April 2026. Your lawyer's work on the application is usually part of their overall fee.
More guides
All guidesBuying
Legal, tax and title deeds
Living here
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. North Cyprus rules change often. Figures are correct to the best of our knowledge on 10 October 2026. Always check with an independent lawyer before you sign or pay.
Want us to track your PTP for you?
Our team works with independent lawyers every day. We will follow your file, remind you of every deadline and keep you updated.