When you buy a house, flat or plot of land in North Cyprus, the title deed transfer fee is usually the biggest cost after the purchase price itself. In October 2026, the Council of Ministers revised the fees charged by the Land Registry and Cadastre Department, temporarily cutting the North Cyprus title deed transfer fee for every group of buyers: foreign nationals, Turkish citizens and TRNC citizens alike.
Plenty of conflicting figures are circulating on social media. Every rate in this guide comes straight from the regulations published in the TRNC Official Gazette. Below we explain which rate applies to you, how the fee is calculated, and which points are still unclear.
At a glance:
- The new rates took effect on 6 October 2026 and were finalised by a second regulation published on 7 October.
- The cut is temporary: it applies until 5 January 2027, inclusive.
- Foreign buyers pay a total of 4% on their first property, down from 9%.
- Turkish citizens pay a total of 4% on their first two properties, down from 6% and 8%.
- TRNC citizens pay a one-off 2% within set limits, and 3% on other purchases.
Table of Contents
New Title Deed Transfer Fee Rates (October 2026)
The rates below are based on the Land Registry and Cadastre Department (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulation (A.E. 955), published in Official Gazette No. 197 on 7 October 2026. The rates for foreign nationals and Turkish citizens are totals: alongside the transfer fee itself, they include the Immovable Property Commission (TMK) levy and the housing fund levy.
Foreign Buyers
| Property | New total rate | Previous total rate (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st property | 4% | 9% |
| 2nd property | 5.5% | 9% |
| 3rd property | 6% | 9% |
For details on how many properties foreign nationals can buy and the conditions that apply, see our guide to property ownership rules for foreigners in North Cyprus.
Turkish Citizens
The regulation refers to this group as “citizens of countries that recognise the TRNC”. In practice, that means citizens of the Republic of Türkiye.
| Property | New total rate | Previous total rate (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st property | 4% | 6% |
| 2nd property | 4% | 8% |
| 3rd property | 5.5% | 9% |
| 4th property | 5.5% | 9% |
| 5th property | 6% | 9% |
| 6th property | 6% | 9% |
TRNC Citizens
- 2% (one time only): when buying, or receiving as a gift, a house of up to 200 m² and a plot (one dönüm of field), or a business premises of up to 100 m².
- 3%: on all other transfers by sale.
Because conflicting figures are circulating for the rates TRNC citizens paid before, we have listed only the current rates here.
Gifts Within the Family
- From a parent to a child: 0.2%
- Between spouses, and from a grandparent to a grandchild: 0.4%
- All other gifts: 3%
Why Are You Seeing Different Rates Everywhere?
One major source of confusion is that two separate regulations were published on consecutive days. The first (A.E. 947), published in Official Gazette No. 196 on 6 October 2026, replaced the fee schedule in full. A day later, the second regulation (A.E. 955), published in Official Gazette No. 197 on 7 October, replaced the schedule once again.
The rates for foreign nationals and Turkish citizens are identical in both texts. The difference lies in the general sale rate: 4% in the first regulation, cut to 3% in the second. So posts saying TRNC citizens pay “4%” on a second purchase are based on the first text, which was superseded the very next day.
Other common mistakes we have seen on social media:
- “The fee for other foreign nationals is now 4%”: That applies to the first property only. The rates for the second and third properties are 5.5% and 6%.
- “Turkish citizens’ second purchase dropped from 9% to 4%”: Under the May 2025 regulation, the previous rate on a second property was 8%.
What Makes Up the Total Rate?
The fee paid by foreign nationals and Turkish citizens is not a single charge. According to the table in the regulation, the total breaks down as follows:
| Buyer / Property | Transfer fee | TMK levy | Housing fund | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign – 1st property | 3% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 4% |
| Foreign – 2nd property | 4% | 1% | 0.5% | 5.5% |
| Foreign – 3rd property | 5% | 1% | – | 6% |
| Turkish – 1st and 2nd property | 3% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 4% |
| Turkish – 3rd and 4th property | 4% | 1% | 0.5% | 5.5% |
| Turkish – 5th and 6th property | 5% | 1% | – | 6% |
For comparison: under the May 2025 regulation, a foreign buyer’s first property carried a 3% transfer fee, a 3% TMK levy and a 3% housing fund levy, 9% in total. In other words, the transfer fee itself has not changed for a first property. The entire saving comes from the TMK and housing fund levies.
How Is the Title Deed Transfer Fee Calculated in North Cyprus?
The fee is paid by the person in whose name the property is registered, which in a sale means the buyer. Under the regulation, it is calculated on the property’s market value (rayiç kıymet). The buyer declares the market value on the day of the transaction, and the fee is initially collected on that figure. Fees are collected in Turkish lira. We recommend confirming the exact amount you will owe with the District Land Registry Office.
The examples below assume the market value equals the sale price. Amounts are shown in sterling for illustration only; payment is made in Turkish lira at the exchange rate on the day.
| Example | Property value | New fee | Previous fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign buyer, 1st property | £150,000 | £6,000 (4%) | £13,500 (9%) |
| Foreign buyer, 2nd property | £150,000 | £8,250 (5.5%) | £13,500 (9%) |
| Turkish citizen, 1st property | £120,000 | £4,800 (4%) | £7,200 (6%) |
| Turkish citizen, 3rd property | £120,000 | £6,600 (5.5%) | £10,800 (9%) |
| TRNC citizen, one-off entitlement | £100,000 | £2,000 (2%) | – |
| TRNC citizen, other purchase | £100,000 | £3,000 (3%) | – |
If Your Title Deed Transfer Is Already Under Way
The regulation’s final provision states that the fees and rates in the schedule apply to transactions already started, or yet to start, until they are completed. This suggests that transactions in progress will also benefit from the new rates.
There is, however, an important gap. Under the May 2025 rules, part of the fee was collected when the sale contract was registered. For example, a foreign buyer paid 6% at contract registration and 3% at title transfer on a first property. The new schedule has no separate table for the registration and transfer stages. For buyers who registered their contract under the old rules and have already paid part of the fee, the regulation does not clearly say how that payment will be treated.
If this applies to you, we recommend that you:
- Ask the District Land Registry Office (İlçe Tapu Amirliği) for a written calculation of the fee that will apply to you.
- Keep the receipts for any fees you have already paid to hand.
- Check with your lawyer whether the transfer can realistically be completed by 5 January 2027. If your Permission to Purchase (PTP) has not yet been granted, the time remaining may not be enough.
Costs Beyond the Title Deed Transfer Fee
The October 2026 cut covers Land Registry fees only. VAT, stamp duty, legal fees and the seller’s withholding tax (stopaj) are calculated separately when you buy property.
What Happens After 5 January 2027?
The regulation stays in force until 5 January 2027, inclusive. There has been no announcement yet on whether it will be extended, or which rates will apply after that date. We will update this guide as soon as any new regulation is published.
If you are planning to buy in North Cyprus, browse our residential properties for sale or all real estate listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the title deed transfer fee in North Cyprus in 2026?
Under the October 2026 regulation, foreign buyers pay 4% on their first property, 5.5% on their second and 6% on their third. Turkish citizens pay 4% on their first two properties, 5.5% on their third and fourth, and 6% on their fifth and sixth. TRNC citizens pay a one-off 2% within set limits, and 3% on other purchases.
How long will the new rates apply?
The new rates apply until 5 January 2027, inclusive. No extension has been announced yet.
Who pays the title deed transfer fee in North Cyprus?
Under the regulation, the fee is paid by the person in whose name the property is registered. In a sale, that is the buyer.
Is the fee calculated on the sale price?
Under the regulation, the fee is calculated on the property’s market value. The buyer declares this value on the day of the transaction, and the fee is initially collected on that figure.
I registered my contract earlier. Can I benefit from the new rates?
The regulation suggests the new rates apply to transactions already in progress. However, it does not clearly say how fees already paid at contract registration will be treated. We recommend getting written confirmation of the amount you will owe from the District Land Registry Office.
What is the fee for transferring property as a gift?
The fee is 0.2% for gifts from a parent to a child, 0.4% for gifts between spouses and from a grandparent to a grandchild, and 3% for all other gifts.
Which currency is the fee paid in?
The Land Registry collects its fees in Turkish lira.
Sources: TRNC Official Gazette, 6 October 2026, No. 196 (A.E. 947) and 7 October 2026, No. 197 (A.E. 955); Land Registry and Cadastre Department (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulation of May 2025. The regulations can be accessed via the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and the TRNC State Printing Office. This guide is for information only and does not constitute legal advice.
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