Q. Do I need to open a bank account in Northern Cyprus ?
A. A bank account in Northern Cyprus is not necessary but it can be useful for standing orders etc.

Q. Who will process our North Cyprus property sale?
A. We advise all of our customers to appoint an independent solicitor to handle the administration for your purchase. You may use any solicitor you wish, but we think it is important that your solicitor speaks the same language as you do. We can recommend a number of independent and reputable legal representatives.

Q. Can we use a UK solicitor?
A. You must use a solicitor registered with the bar in Northern Cyprus. We have several solicitors we can recommend.

Q. What additional costs are involved when purchasing properties in Northern Cyprus?
A. Your solicitors fees for processing your entire purchase transaction will vary between £1000 and £1500. Buyers tax: 6% of the valuation made by the North Cyprus Land Registry Office. Buyers have the option to pay only 3% purchasers tax for any one property in North Cyprus. V.A.T:5% of the valuation made by the North Cyprus Land Registry Office is payable on most newly built North Cyprus properties. Neither of these taxes are payable until you receive your title deeds. Stamp duty: 0.5% of the property sale price payable within 30 days of signing your contracts, your solicitor will usually be able to arrange payment of this for you.

Q. What paperwork will I need if I wish to purchase a property in North Cyprus ?
A. You need only your passport when purchasing properties, unless you are not able to be present when your contract is signed, in which case you will have to leave your Power of Attorney with a trustee or your solicitor so that they may sign on your behalf.

Q. Can I own more than one property at a time?
A. If you do not hold a TRNC ID card (kimlik card) then you may only own the title deeds for one property. A married couple can only hold one title deed between them. There are some exceptions to this rule, contact us for more information.

Q. Where would I go if I wanted to buy land and have a property built for me in North Cyprus?
A. As land specialists, Dimensions Estates know many local land agents who are knowledgeable about what Northern Cyprus land is available and where - just tell us your requirements and we can help you find the perfect location. We also have good relationships with many local architects and builders in North Cyprus who can help you prepare plans and build the house of your dreams. Contact us for more details.

Q. Do I have to make a new will in Northern Cyprus?
A. Once the North Cyprus property is registered in your name, we advise you to make a new will as your property in North Cyprus is not covered on your original will. Your solicitor can draw up a new will for you.

Q. I am interested in renovating an old property, can you help with this?
A. As well as having a number of traditional Cypriot properties in our portfolio, we can also recommend very good builders who are experts in restoration and renovation, but please bear in mind that some of these older North Cyprus properties will need a complete overhaul to bring them up to European standards. However, if you would like to have a house with character and feel up to a bit of DIY, this could be the perfect option!

Q. How big is a donum of land?
A. A donum is approximately one third of an acre - or to be more precise: 1,338m² or 14,400ft². Land measurements are generally calculated in donums, evleks and square feet. There are 4 evleks in each donum and 3,600 square feet to an evlek.

Q. If we buy 'off-plan' how will we know when our payments are due and how do we make payments to the builder?
A. The builder will notify us when a 'payment stage' of construction has been reached, these stages should be clear on your contract. Dimensions Estates will check that the relevant work for that payment stage has been completed, and if you have an email address we will send you pictures for confirmation. We advise that all payments should be made through us here at Dimensions Estates or via your solicitor.

Q. What are the costs of shipping our furniture to North Cyprus and do you have a list of agents?
A. Shipping costs are calculated by the cubic metre - we have a list of good agencies that we can forward to you.

Q. How long are we allowed to stay in North Cyprus?
A. You are issued a 30-day tourist visa when you arrive, after which you must apply for a residents permit.

Q. Is there an International School for my children to attend in North Cyprus?
A. There are many schools in North Cyprus that follow the UK curriculum. Please contact us for further information about Education in North Cyprus.

Q. Is there a public transport system in North Cyprus ?
A. In the Girne (Kyrenia) area there are regular mini buses (called ' dolmush' ) that cover most populated areas until about 7pm. Taxis are usually easy to find and reasonably priced.

Q. Will I need permission to live in Northern Cyprus, and if so how do I apply for this?
A. Yes, you are required to apply for residency in North Cyprus if you wish to live here permanently. When you arrive on the Northern Cyprus Island you are automatically given a 30-day tourist visa and if you intend staying beyond that date you must apply to the immigration office for a temporary residency permit.

Q. Will I be able to apply for a TRNC ID card (kimlik card)?
A. After you have been a resident in North Cyprus for 5 years you may apply for a kimlik card.

Q. Where can I get help with making an application for temporary residency?
A. Dimensions Estates can put you in touch with a local independent service that will be able to assist you.

Q. Can we fly directly into North Cyprus ?
A. At present, all flights must stop over in Turkey for approximately 45 minutes before continuing to North Cyprus.

Q. Can I pay my utility bills by standing order?
A. You can pay electricity and phone bills by standing order. Water bills can be paid in advance at the relevant local council in North Cyprus.

Q. Am I required to take out medical insurance?
A. You are not required and we find that most UK citizens find the local medical care to be quite sufficient and extremely reasonably priced.

Q. Are there tax implications in Northern Cyprus if I decided to sell up and return to my country of origin?
A. At present, your first sale is tax-free so there are no taxes to pay and no restrictions on repatriation of funds.

Q. What is the official language in TRNC?
A. The official language in TRNC is Turkish but English is widely spoken.

Q. What is the time difference with UK?
A. North Cyprus is two hours ahead of UK GMT time.

Q. What side of the road do you drive in North Cyprus?
A. You drive on the left hand side like in the UK.

Q. How do I travel to North Cyprus?
A. At present, there are no direct flights to Northern Cyprus. All flights are routed through Turkey. You will remain on board your aeroplane for 45 minutes in one of the airports in Turkey. The total flight duration is approximately 6 hours. You can travel to TRNC from London, Manchester, Glasgow or Dublin. There is also a big selection of ferries from Turkey, the fastest being a 2 hour journey. The new alternative route is to travel via Larnaca in Southern Cyprus; no visa is required as Southern Cyprus is now part of the EU. You may hire a car and drive across the border purchasing insurance on the Turkish side. Once you cross the border the Turkish side will give you a 30 day tourist entry visa which enables you to stay in TRNC.

Q. Can I bring pets and personal possessions to Northern Cyprus?
A. There are several companies that offer this service. The price depends on the cubic metre capacity. You can bring all pets into the country. Your pets have to have a rabies injection and a UK vet certificate stating that the animal has no infectious diseases. This is then presented to the Ministry of Agriculture. The quarantine period is 28 days; you are responsible for looking after your own pet during the quarantine period.

Q. Can I drive in North Cyprus with my UK driving license?
A. You are able to drive with a UK license for three months, after that you will need to apply for a permanent TRNC driving license.

Q. Is there anyone who can look after my house and pay my bills while I am away from the island?
A. Our property management service here at Dimensions Estates will take care of your home and utility bills while you are away, as well as offering many other services. For more information, please contact us.

Q. Can I buy a property in North Cyprus without having to come over?
A. We have several clients who have busy lives and wish to invest in North Cyprus, but do not have the time for a visit. Buying from abroad is an easy process which we will be more than happy to help you with.