Moving to Northern Cyprus is increasingly being considered not only by investors, but also by families, remote professionals, and people planning to live by the sea for most of the year. One of the key issues in this process is obtaining a residence permit.

In many countries, citizens are required to notify government authorities of the receipt of a foreign residence permit or permanent residence permit.

In Northern Cyprus, the situation is different: formally, it is not a residence permit, but a residence permit. Therefore, in some countries, the notification requirement may be waived.

The most common option among foreign property buyers is a residence permit based on ownership. Let's examine this in more detail.

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Residence Permit in Northern Cyprus when Purchasing Real Estate

The basis for obtaining a residence permit is the property registered to the applicant.
It is important to understand the role of the title deed.

What is a Title Deed?

A title deed is an official document confirming ownership of real estate. It is issued by the TRNC Land Registry after the Council of Ministers approves the purchase of real estate by a foreign citizen.

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Residence Permit Requirements for Real Estate

If you do not yet have a title deed:

You can apply for a residence permit for:
• 6 months;
• 12 months;
• 24 months.

Proof of financial solvency will be required.

If you already have a title deed:
A residence permit for up to 5 years. However, eligibility depends on a number of factors, including the applicant's age and the specific circumstances of your specific case.

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What documents are needed for a residence permit?

If you do not have a title deed:
• purchase agreement;
• purchase approval application number.

If you have a title deed:
• title deed.

Additional documents:
• copy of passport;
• copy of last entry page;
• certificate from the mukhtar;
• 3x4 photo;
• 6 months of bank statements;
• Translation and certification of marriage certificate (if a spouse is included in the application);
• Children's passports.

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Do I need to prove funds in the account?

It depends on the status of the property.

Property owners with title deeds:
When applying based on ownership, proof of financial solvency is usually not required.

Other categories:
You must show a certain amount in your bank account.

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How the required amount is calculated

The formula is as follows:
1 minimum wage × number of months of residence permit

Starting in January 2026, the minimum wage before taxes is:
60,618 TL

Example:
60,618 TL × 12 months = 727,416 TL

The calculation is based on each adult family member.
Minors do not require a separate fee.
If additional adult family members are involved in the application, an additional 25% is added for each.

Funds can be held in:
• Turkish lira;
• US dollars;
• Euros;
• British pounds.
Conversion is performed at the exchange rate on the submission date.

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How to apply

To apply, you must:
1. Register on the website permissions.gov.ct.tr
2. Upload documents
3. Select the residence permit duration:
o 6 months;
o 1 year;
o 2 years.

After this, the system will schedule a police appointment.

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What happens after the appointment

You must bring the original documents to the appointment.

Next:
• Pay for tests and insurance;
• Take medical tests;
• After approval, the completed residence permit will appear in the system.

Important: If some tests are positive, a residence permit may not be issued even if you own real estate.

The state fee as of February 2026 is:
1,464.75 TL

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Obtaining a residence permit in Northern Cyprus is quite feasible if you carefully follow the requirements and prepare your documents correctly.

The main thing is to understand the application grounds, financial requirements, and the sequence of steps in advance.

If you are planning a move, purchasing real estate, or applying for a residence permit in Northern Cyprus, contact HUB Property. We will help you navigate all the nuances, prepare your documents, and smoothly navigate the entire process from purchasing real estate to obtaining a residence permit. ☀️🏡