Cyprus Property Lawyers

Buying or selling property in Cyprus is safe and rewarding when the legal work is done properly, and costly when it is not. Kleanthous & Platis is a law firm in Nicosia advising Cypriot and international clients on every stage of a property transaction: due diligence, contracts, deposit at the Land Registry, completion and transfer. We act for buyers, sellers, developers and investors across Cyprus, in English and Greek.

What Our Property Lawyers Do

We conduct full due diligence before you commit: a Land Registry search revealing the seller’s title, mortgages, memos, prohibitions and notes of unauthorised works; verification of building and planning permits; and a review of the developer’s position for new builds. We draft and negotiate reservation agreements and contracts of sale, stamp and deposit your contract with the Department of Lands and Surveys to secure specific performance protection, and complete the transfer of the title deed into your name. Where a property has no separate title deed, including auction purchases and assignments of contractual rights, we structure the acquisition to protect you. For a fixed-fee check before you commit, see our Property Due Diligence service.

Who We Act For

International buyers purchasing holiday homes and investments, including remote purchases completed by power of attorney; EU nationals, who need no permit to buy in Cyprus; non-EU nationals, for whom we obtain the required Council of Ministers permit; sellers who need clean, enforceable contracts and a smooth transfer; and buyers at online property auctions, where the legal pack must be reviewed before bidding.

Why Kleanthous & Platis

Our practice combines real estate with construction law, so we see problems other reviews miss: unauthorised works blocking title deeds, defects in new builds, developer insolvency risk and common expenses disputes. We give you a clear written opinion before you sign anything, and we answer within one business day.

Fees

Conveyancing fees in Cyprus are modest relative to the amounts at stake. We quote a fixed fee for standard purchases and sales before we start, so there are no surprises.

Start With a Case Assessment

Send us the property details before you pay a reservation fee or place a bid, and we will tell you what checks are needed. Contact Klitos Platis at klitos@kleanthousplatis.com. Offices at 7 Florinis Street, Greg Tower, 2nd Floor, 1065 Nicosia, Cyprus.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are property transfer fees in Cyprus?

Transfer fees charged by the Department of Lands and Surveys are tiered on the assessed market value of the property: 3% on the first €85,000, 5% on the next €85,000 (from €85,001 to €170,000), and 8% above €170,000. A 50% reduction applies to resale (non-VAT) transactions, giving effective rates of 1.5%, 2.5% and 4%. No transfer fees apply where VAT was already paid on the purchase, which is typically the case for new-build property bought VAT-inclusive.

Do I have to pay stamp duty when buying property in Cyprus?

Stamp duty has been abolished for contracts of sale signed from 1 January 2026 onward. If your contract was signed on or before 31 December 2025, it remains subject to the previous rates of 0.15% on the value between €5,001 and €170,000 and 0.20% above that, capped at €20,000. Check the date your contract was, or will be, signed to know which rule applies to you.

What does depositing my contract of sale with the Land Registry actually protect?

Depositing the contract of sale with the Department of Lands and Surveys secures your right to specific performance, meaning you can later enforce the transfer of the property into your name even if the seller or developer tries to sell it to someone else, takes out a further mortgage, or runs into financial difficulty. This step is particularly important where the property does not yet have a separate title deed.

How long do I have to bring a claim if something goes wrong after I complete my purchase?

Under the Limitation of Actions Law, the general limitation period for contract and tort claims in Cyprus is 6 years from when the issue arose, extending to 12 years for a claim on a deed. Certain exceptions can affect these dates, so it is worth having your specific circumstances checked rather than assuming a deadline.

What documents and searches does a property lawyer carry out before I sign?

Typical steps include a title search at the Department of Lands and Surveys to confirm ownership and check for mortgages or charges, confirmation that the property matches its planning and building permits, a check on whether a separate title deed has been issued, and, for off-plan or developer purchases, a review of the developer’s own title and financing position.