Permission will be granted to company for the acquisition of property, provided that it is for its own use. Offshore companies could therefore, acquire property within the above limits.Generally the permission will not be granted if the property is to be used for letting to others, commercial exploitation or speculation.



Charges for utilities are payable to the respective authorities at regular intervals throughout the year. They are based strictly on the consumption of each unit. While the cost will vary, approximately CY180 per year can be considered a rough guide.

Cyprus enjoys a remarkably low crime rate 1/6 of the European average another reason for its popularity with foreign buyers for whom security has become a key element in the property world. Visitors are invariably surprised and reassured by this relaxed aspect of life on the island, where crime is virtually unheard of and theft not commonplace. Under the Aliens and Immigration Law, non-Cypriots wishing to take up employment in Cyprus are required to have a work permit.

Permission to purchase a property must be obtained from the Council of Ministers by written application. This must be submitted by the non-Cypriot purchaser after the agreement has been signed. However, the permission is granted more or less as a matter of course to all bona fide buyers. In the meantime purchasers may take possession of their property without restriction.

There is an increasing tendency by the local and the foreign market (in particular the British market) to acquire old village houses which are subsequently improved/converted into modern residences.Before the "craze" of village cottages started, there were some real bargains for this nature of property. Nowadays cottages of character and colour are relatively expensive and they may amount, together with the repair improvement bills, in excess of what a new villa of the same size would cost.