Permission to buy property in Cyprus as a foreigner
An acquisition permit in Cyprus is the permission a foreign buyer needs before acquiring property. Without it, the property cannot be registered in their name. It applies to buyers who are not citizens of an EU or EEA country, including foreign companies and companies controlled by foreigners. Companies set up under the law of another EU country do not need it if their registered seat or main place of business is in the EU or EEA.
The law has a few other exceptions, such as the foreign wife of a Cypriot citizen if no court ruling has separated them.
The law requires the permission of the Council of Ministers, which has delegated this power to the District Officers. This is why the permit is often called Council of Ministers approval.
How to apply
To apply for permission to buy property, submit Form COMM 145 (PDF, EN) to the District Administration of the district where the property is located. The Ministry of Interior's purchasing property page sets out the rules and the documents to attach. DevelopersCyprus can assist you in preparing and submitting the application.
To apply, you need a copy of the signed contract of sale.
There is no government fee for the permit.
Rules for third-country nationals
- You can sign a contract to buy real estate in Cyprus before you have the permit, but the contract gives you no right to acquire the property until the permit is granted. The Department of Lands and Surveys will not transfer the property into your name without it. DevelopersCyprus or your lawyer can help you apply on Form COMM 145.
- You do not need the permit to deposit the signed contract at the District Lands Office. The deposit must be made within six months of signing, or later only with a court order.
- The land must be no larger than you need to build a home or business premises, and as a rule no more than 2,676 sq m. Above that, the permit is given only for a home you will live in, on land of up to 4,014 sq m, or for business premises. Industry can qualify when the Council of Ministers sees the sector as good for the Cypriot economy and the project involves production or new technology or know-how.
- Under Ministry of Interior rules, a foreign buyer, or a foreign couple together, can get one permit: either for a plot of up to 4,014 sq m to build a home to live in, or for up to two units. The units can be in different developments. They can be two homes, or one home with either a shop of up to 100 sq m or an office of up to 250 sq m.
- The Ministry of Interior lists proof of the applicants' financial standing among the documents to attach to Form COMM 145 when they are not issued electronically.
These rules now apply to UK citizens following Brexit.
For more details, please read our Guide on buying property.
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. Stamp duty is needed only if at least one party signed the contract before 1 January 2026.
- Title deed: A copy of the immovable property's title deed.
- Building permit: 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: Required only if the spouses do not share a surname and the wife's passport does not show her husband's surname. If the certificate is not in Greek or English, attach an official translation.
- Residence and work permits: Copies of the applicant's Cypriot residence and work permits.
- Financial standing: Proof of the applicants' financial standing.
Additional requirements for companies
If the applicant is a company or a shareholder of a company, you must include the following documents on top of the ones listed above:
- 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 and staff, with the staff's 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?
According to the Ministry of Interior, an application takes 2 to 3 weeks to process.
Relevant legislation
The relevant Cypriot law is The Immovable Property Acquisition (Aliens) Law, Cap. 109.