Fitzgerald Estates - Finding your home

Whether you are looking for a resale or new property; villa, townhouse or apartment; permanent residence, holiday home or investment, we market a wide portfolio of properties representing reputable developers and quality resales.

We understand that our customers have specific requirements and motivations so we always take the time to listen to these before recommending properties to view. We can help you to carefully review your options and compare them to the type of property and surroundings that best suit your needs. The only properties that we will show you will be of the right type, in your chosen location and within your budget.

Fitzgerald Estates is, however, a great deal more than just a property marketeer. Our involvement begins from our very first contact and continues during and after completion of sale. When you work with us you can expect our knowledge, experience and resources to assist you with the selection process, guide you smoothly through the legal and financial formalities and negotiate and mediate on your behalf for the best possible deal.

What follows is a brief guide to the technicalities of buying property in Cyprus

These details are subject to change as Cyprus comes into line with EU procedures, however, having joined, exchange control restrictions no longer apply so this is one less factor to consider.

Once you've signed a contract for purchase, if the premises aren't intended as a permanent residence, EU citizens must make an application to the District Office. Although this approval takes a while theres no restriction on taking possession of your property. You can also re-sell during this time. It does not affect your inheritance rights.

Once the contract is signed and stamped it must be sent to the Land Registry office within two months, together with payment of the stamp duty. This is a safety measure, blocking the property from being sold to anyone until the District Office’s approval is actually issued. This is when the Title Transfer Fee becomes payable.

Title Deeds
Ownership of land is protected by the island’s very clear, British based land registry system and, historically the issuing of the Title Deeds by the central authorities has taken three to four years. However this is about to be speeded up because the Government has realised that it doesn't get the Title Transfer Fee until it issues the Title Deeds. As a result, they are understandably keen to recoup all the back tax.

Stamp Duty
This tax payable by the purchaser is 0.15% up to CYP£100,000 of value and then plus 0.2% for values in excess of this amount.

Title Transfer Fee
The Title Transfer Fee is payable by the purchaser on a graduated scale as follows:

Value of property in CYP£

Up to 50,000
From 50,001-100,000
Over 100,000

Transfer Tax rate

3%
5%
8%

However, because of a quirk in the local tax system, if a property is bought in joint names the tax is reduced significantly.

Immovable Property Tax
This is calculated on the market value of the property as at 11 January 1980 on a scale as follows:

Value of property in CYP£

Up to 100,000
From 100,001 - 250,000
From 250,001 - 500,000
Over 500,000

Property tax rate % (per £000)

exempt
0.2%
0.3%
0.35%

Most houses show a minimum value and the tax is negligible. Roughly the Cypriot tax payable amounts to only CYP£60-150 per annum.

Wrapping up
These procedures are there to ensure you are clear about your position and to ensure you have a hassle free experience of buying and owning a few years down the line.Generally, these laws are fair and no more complex than any other EU country and considerably simpler than some. All the property taxes put together represent a very small proportion of your actual purchase price.

Nobody likes long lists (apart from maybe Santa) but once you've got the idea, its very simple, and off course, we're always on hand to help you go through these stages successfully.

Fitzgerald Estates Marketing Services | Solomos Court | 74 Apostolos Pavlou | Kato Paphos
Cyprus | 8046 | PO Box 60468 | Paphos | Cyprus | 8103 | Email: daryl@fitzgeraldcyprus.com
Tel: +357 26 930345 | Fax: +357 26 930929 Mobile: +357 99 571683