Residency permits in North Cyprus: the 2026 guide
Want to stay longer than a holiday? Owning a home here lets you apply for a residence permit. Here is how it works in 2026, step by step.
Short answer
Most visitors can stay 90 days in any 180 without a permit. To stay longer, apply for a residence permit. Home owners can apply with their title deed or registered contract: there is no minimum price, but the home must be at least 17 m² and for living in. You need a passport, police record, health check, health insurance and bank statements. Permits last 1 year at first, then 2 years once your title deed is in your name. After 6 years (3 if you are over 60) you can apply for permanent residence, the White Card.
Which residence permit is right for you?
There are six main routes. Most of our buyers use the property owner route: it has no minimum price.
The 6 ways to get residency
| Route | Who it is for | What you show | Permit length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property owner | People who own a home here | Title deed or registered sales contract. Home of 17 m² or more, for living in | 1 year, then 2 years once your title deed is in your name |
| Renting | People renting a home | A rental contract, usually 6–12 months | Usually 1 year |
| Financially independent | Retirees and people living on savings or a pension | Bank statements showing enough money | Usually 1 year |
| Work | People with a job here | A work permit, arranged by the employer | Linked to your work permit |
| Student | University students | Proof of enrolment | Renewed each year |
| Family | Spouses and children under 18 | Marriage or birth certificates | Joins the main applicant's permit |
Buying in instalments? You can still apply as a property owner. You must show savings of at least 3 times the monthly minimum wage, and have paid at least one third of the price.
Documents for a property owner permit
| Document | Tip |
|---|---|
| Valid passport + copies | Non-EU passports: at least 6 months left. EU passports: at least 2 months. |
| Police clearance certificate | From your home country. Order it early: it takes the longest. |
| Title deed or sales contract | Must show your name as the buyer. |
| Bank statement | Shows your savings and monthly income. |
| Health certificate | From a state hospital. Hand in the results unopened. |
| Health insurance policy | Must be valid in North Cyprus. |
| Residence certificate | Proof of your local address, from the municipality or muhtar. |
| 2 biometric photos | Recent, passport style. |
| Fee receipts | Government fees are usually about €100–€300 in total. |
The immigration office can ask for more papers. Our conveyancing team checks your file before it goes in.
Your residency checklist
Tell us how you will apply. We build your document list and show your renewal dates.
How to get your residence permit, step by step
Start well before your 90 visa-free days end. Missing papers are the main cause of delays.
Watch your 90 days
Most passports get 90 days in any 180. Start your application early in your stay.
Day 1Get your local address certificate
Ask the municipality or your village muhtar for a residence certificate.
1–2 daysDo your health check
Go to a state hospital for the health test. Keep the results sealed.
1–3 daysBuy health insurance
A valid health insurance policy is part of the file. See Healthcare.
Before you applyCollect your documents
Passport, police record, photos, title deed or contract and a bank statement. A local account helps. See Opening a bank account.
1–3 weeksApply online and pay the fees
Fill in the Immigration Department's online form and pay the government fees.
About €100–€300Visit the immigration office
Go to the police immigration office in your district. They check your papers in person.
30–90 days to decideRenew on time
Apply online 60 to 20 days before your permit ends. After 3 years, owners with a title deed get 2-year permits.
60–20 days before expiry
We prepare your residency file with you
Our in-house conveyancing team does residency files every week. We get the papers right the first time, then remind you before every renewal.
- 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
Your file checked first
We check every document before you go to the immigration office.
Help with forms and fees
Online application, fee stamps and appointments: done with you, step by step.
Renewal reminders
We remind you 60 days before your permit ends, so you never miss a renewal.
Homes that qualify
We check that the home you buy can be used for your residence permit.
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
Yes. Owning a home lets you apply for a property owner residence permit. There is no minimum price, but the home must be at least 17 m² and used for living in.
Most visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. To stay longer, apply for a residence permit before your 90 days end.
Government fees are usually about €100–€300 in total. You also pay for the health check, health insurance and any translations.
Usually 30 to 90 days once your file is complete. Missing or wrong documents can slow it down.
No. A residence permit lets you live here, not work. To work, you need a separate work permit arranged by your employer.
Usually yes. Your spouse and children under 18 can normally join your application. Adult children need their own route.
It is permanent residence. You can usually apply after 6 years of legal, continuous residence, or after 3 years if you are over 60. Approval is not automatic.
No. North Cyprus has no citizenship-by-property scheme. Buying a home gives you the right to apply for residency only.
No. TRNC citizens live here by right and do not need a residence permit.
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.
Moving here? Let us handle the paperwork
From your first home to your White Card, our in-house conveyancing team prepares your residency file with you and reminds you before every renewal.