Permission to buy property in Cyprus as a foreigner
An acquisition permit in Cyprus is a formal authorisation required for foreigners, particularly non-EU citizens, to acquire property. This permit ensures compliance with local laws and regulations and is an obligatory step in the property acquisition process for third-country nationals.
You can get permission to buy property by submitting Form Comm. 145 (PDF, EN) to the District Officer where the property is situated. DevelopersCyprus can assist you in preparing and submitting the application.
There is no government fee for submitting the form.
The property acquisition permit in Cyprus is officially known as the Council of Ministers Approval.
You need a signed contract of sale to apply for Approval.
Rules for third-country nationals
- Before buying real estate in Cyprus, you need approval from the Council of Ministers. Getting the approval is straightforward; DevelopersCyprus or your lawyer will help you with it using the District Office application (Form Comm. 145).
- This real estate cannot be larger than necessary; if it is, the Council of Ministers can impose conditions. A TCN can get a house, commercial property, or land not exceeding 4014 sq m and no more.
- The Council of Ministers will usually approve good-faith applications.
- You need a clean criminal record and proof of means to support yourself decently in the Republic.
These rules now apply to UK citizens following Brexit.
This permit strictly enforces the "one property per family" rule unless specific investment exemptions apply.
For more details, please read our Guide on buying property in Cyprus.
Required documents for Form Comm. 145
To submit your application to the District Officer, you must attach the following documents to Form Comm. 145:
Property documents
- Contract of sale: A copy with the requisite stamp duty affixed.
- Title deed: A copy of the immovable property’s title deed.
- Planning consent: Required if separate title deeds have not yet been issued for the apartment or dwelling.
- Partitioning permit: Required only for land plots that are in the process of being partitioned.
- Floor plans: Plans showing the layout of the dwelling or apartment.
- Survey: A survey plan of the property.
Personal documents
- Passports: Copies of passports for both the applicant and their spouse.
- Marriage certificate: A copy is required. If the certificate is not in Greek or English, a certified translation is mandatory. (Note: This is strictly required if the spouses do not share a surname or if the husband’s surname is not mentioned in the wife's passport).
- Residence and work permits: Copies of the applicant’s Cypriot residence and work permits (if applicable).
- Financial standing: Proof of the applicant’s financial resources (e.g., bank statements).
Additional requirements for companies
If the applicant is a company or a shareholder of a company, you must also include:
- Corporate certificates: Certificates of Registration, Shareholders, Directors, and Registered Office.
- Governing documents: The company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.
- Operational details: Information on the company's activities, staff details, and social insurance numbers.
- Shareholders: Copies of the first page of the passports for all company shareholders and their spouses.
How long does it take to get the permission?
As of January 2026, the processing time for permission to buy property in Limassol is 30-45 days, while it takes a few months in Paphos. For Larnaca, Nicosia, and Famagusta, allocating 1-2 months should be sufficient.
Relevant legislation
The relevant Cypriot law is The Immovable Property Acquisition (Aliens) Law, Cap. 109.
