Steps to Buying Property in Cyprus

You have made the decision to buy property in Paphos, or anywhere in Cyprus.

For many buyers, the legalities and formalities are the most confusing. However, we make it as easy as possible by outlining the steps involved in buying your dream house in Cyprus and the fees that you will need to account for.

You have found the right property – you have made an offer on a property, and it has been accepted by the sellers, You will need to appoint a lawyer who will represent you in Cyprus and assist you with the legal, technical, and financial matters in purchasing a property in Cyprus.

In the Cypriot system, there are 2 main categories of properties. The first are properties that have their own individual title deeds at the time of purchase. The second are properties that do not have their own individual deeds at this stage of the purchase. The issue of the individual title deeds is dependent on the completion of the project, and the subdivision by the Lands Office.

Properties with title deeds can be easily transferred in the name of the purchasers, considering that the only requirement for the purchasers is a permit from the District Office, which is granted as a matter of formality. Such a permit is not required if the purchase concerns land, purchased by Europeans.

The legal formalities to purchase immovable property in Cyprus are as follows –

1. To buy the property which is completed when the purchasers sign the contracts.  At this stage, the purchasers pay the stamp duty and registration costs.

Stamp duty is calculated as follows:
€2.56 per €1.708.60  euro for the first €170.860.00 and €3.417 per €1.708.60 euro for any amount above the  €170.860.00.

You need also to allow for lawyer’s fees, which are usually around 1% of the purchase price.

Other fees involved are the transfer fees to have the deeds transferred into your name.  The fees to be paid are calculated on the purchase price, and the number of names the property is to be registered in. This is paid when the deeds are actually transferred into your name.

2. To take possession of the property.  At this stage, the purchasers pay for the utilities to be connected. From this stage, the purchasers may establish all the rights in this country such as residence/tax/driving duty-free and domicile.

3. To transfer the deeds of the property, which will be completed when firstly, a  permit from the Council of Ministers is secured for the purchasers to transfer the deeds in their names (such a permit is not required if the property, is a plot of land or a field). Secondly, the Vendors complete through the Lands Office the Subdivision of the project. If the property has its own title deed, then the transfer takes place immediately after the permit is granted.  At this stage, the purchaser pays the transfer taxes.

Transfer the title deed into your name(s).  The formula for working out the fees based on a property being in two names is as follows:

For the first 170,000 euros – 1.5%
For the next 170,000 euros – 2.5%
Over 340,000 euros – 4%

As an example for a property valued at 200,000 euros, the fees will be 3,300 euros.

Property buyers in Cyprus should use a solicitor to legally secure the sale who will do –

a. Sign a valid contract of sale for an existing property from the owners, free of any legal and financial impediments.

b. A valid contract will be signed, stamped, and registered with the Lands Office. This procedure stops the vendors from the possibility of reselling it, or mortgaging it, in the meantime,

c. The purchasers will be entitled to secure possession of the property prior, regardless of when the transfer takes place. Based on this, purchasers may further secure the proper status to live in Cyprus.

d. The purchasers’ interest, from the moment they sign the contracts, is protected by the inheritance laws. This means that if something happens to purchasers,  before or after, completing the procedures, their interest will be transferred in the names of beneficiaries of their estate, either through a will or by law.

We hope this helps make the process of buying a Cyprus property less confusing.

If you have any additional comments or questions please feel free to contact us.

Also, view our Frequently Asked Questions page as it provides a lot of useful information on buying a property in Cyprus. Also, check out this page for more information on the process of buying property in Cyprus.