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Citizenship for Turks in Cyprus if They Buy Property

Published January 16, 2026, 10:20
Citizenship for Turks in Cyprus if They Buy Property

The pseudo-state is considering a plan to offer citizenship to Turkish citizens who purchase property in the occupied territories, aiming to reduce the large stock of unsold homes that has accumulated since the pandemic. The plan, which is under development by the “government” of the pseudo-state, will link the acquisition of citizenship to a specific financial limit on the price of properties. Construction activity in the occupied territories increased during the pandemic, resulting in the sale of approximately 10,000 homes to foreign buyers. However, demand has decreased, leaving around 20,000 to 25,000 homes unsold or unfinished. Builders attribute the slowdown to factors related to the Greek Cypriot side. The president of the Cyprus Turkish Construction Contractors Association (KTİMB) stated that the plan concerns only Turkish citizens and will have a strict financial cap. The goal is to absorb the existing stock and not open the market to all foreign investors. He described the region as “the future Miami of the Eastern Mediterranean.” The plan stipulates that the properties purchased can be rented out, providing additional income to the owners. The property market is directly linked to the tourism sector of the pseudo-state and is considered important for its economic development.