How to Rent Out Your Property in North Cyprus

Your Complete Guide to Registration, Licensing, Property Standards, and Legal Requirements

Planning to rent out your property in Northern Cyprus on Airbnb or another platform?

This guide explains the holiday homes regulations, registration, licenses, and property standards.

A new Law was published on 1 st March 2026, Law No. 54/2025, which requires that anyone who wishes to let their Property/Properties must register the property under the Holiday Homes Regulation.

The law requires that all owners of holiday homes must register their properties within 4 months of the law coming into force, however this was later suspended as the government decided that rather than use the proposed paper system they would wait until the new online system became available. The new online system is now live, so owners of properties which they let as Holiday Homes must now register via the online system.

Holiday houses consist of the following types of dwellings and any of the below categories
must be registered:

Villa - a detached house or home that can have one or more floors, ostentatious, in a garden in the countryside or outside a city or town.

Detached House - an independent house that can have one or more floors, built from scratch on a plot within the boundaries of a city or town, without connection to another structure.

Studio Apartment - a house in a building where the living area, bedroom area and kitchen area are designed in a 1+0 (one plus zero) form in the same room, with a bathroom and toilet.

Apartment Unit - housing units within a building that have multiple rooms, a kitchen, bathroom and toilet or toilets, surrounded by common areas of a size comfortable for a family to reside in, which may have other apartment units below or above.

Residence Unit - an apartment unit located in a site with high security and rich social facilities such as an open or closed swimming pool, spa, sauna, Turkish bath, gym, bar, restaurant, equipped with superior technologies.

Each property must also be classified as either Standard, Comfortable or Luxury and there are defined criteria for each category. All properties must meet the requirements of Standard, but to obtain the Higher Categories, then extra facilities must be provided.

General Conditions

Each holiday house must consist of an independent unit and have its own area.
It must have <6 bedrooms and be designed to accommodate <11 people.
It must have a kitchen where users can prepare food and wash equipment after eating.
Bedrooms must be arranged for use by <3 people, excluding small children
If the holiday house is to rented to
- <7 people, it must have 1 bathroom and 1 toilet;
- >6 but <11 people, it must have 2 bathrooms and 2 toilets.
It must have independent entrance and exit.
Waste container(s) where waste can be placed in a suitable place in the grounds of the holiday house is located
Any changes to the rules for minimum features or conditions will be published in the Official Gazette.

Minimum Requirements for All Holiday Houses

Internet access system

Colour television

Iron and ironing board

Sufficient and proper lighting system in every room

Inventory of furniture, furnishings and equipment

Full-length mirror

Fire extinguishing system or equipment approved by the Fire Service
• inside the house if it is a detached house or villa;
• in common areas on each floor if it is a studio apartment or apartment units;

First aid kit

Clean water system providing continuous hot and cold water

Air-conditioning system (fan, air conditioner, etc.) that cools all rooms in summer and heats in winter

Curtains, blinds, shutters or similar mechanisms on balcony doors and windows that prevent the interior from being seen from outside

Sufficient electrical sockets in the living room, kitchen and bedrooms

Clothes drying line

Hair dryer

Washing machine

Minimum Requirements by Room

Living Room

1. Seating group sufficient for the maximum number of people who can reside in the holiday house (considering the number of rooms)
2. Coffee table sufficient for the maximum number of residents
3. Television stand if the television is not wall-mounted
4. If the living room opens onto a balcony;
• balcony table, chairs and ashtray of sufficient size for the maximum number of residents

Bedrooms

1. Single / double beds - sturdy and safe, sufficient number, appropriate to the room size for the number of residents

a. Minimum size single bed: 90×190 cm;
b. Minimum size double bed: 140×190 cm
c. Mattress appropriate to the size of each bed
d. Clean light-coloured fitted sheet appropriate to the size of each bed
e. Pillow and light-coloured pillowcase for each person
f. Blanket appropriate to the size of each bed
g. Duvet and duvet cover appropriate to the size of each bed

2. Bedside table or nightstand with drawer for each bed
3. Wardrobe (open or closed) sufficient to store clothing and personal belongings of residents
4. Waste bin in each bedroom
5. At least 5 hangers in each wardrobe

Kitchen

1. Kitchen cabinets
2. Refrigerator of appropriate size and capacity for the number of residents
3. Gas or electric cooker (at least two burners)
4. Gas or electric oven
5. Dishwashing sink
6. Continuous hot and cold water
7. Dining table and chairs sufficient for the number of residents
8. Waste bin
9. Toaster, cutting board
10. Can opener, corkscrew, bottle opener, kettle, one medium saucepan, one medium frying pan, one large spoon, one colander, one ladle, cutlery (fork, spoon, knife), plates, tea cups, coffee cups, water glasses, soup bowls and dessert plates; one set per person

Bathroom & Toilet

1. Waterproof flooring and walls
2. Window or mechanical ventilation

3. Continuous hot and cold water
4. Fixed and handheld shower system and equipment
5. Bath mat
6. Shower tray and curtain
7. Mirror and shelf
8. Storage cabinet or shelf
9. Waste bin, toilet paper holder and toilet brush
10. Towel rail, hook or shelf
11. Hand towel, 1 x face towel per person, 1 x bath towel per person
12. Toilet and toilet seat

Features in Standard, Comfortable & Luxury Houses

All features listed as minimum requirements.

Standard

Comfortable

All minimum requirements plus:

1. Fire or smoke sensor / detector
2. Kitchen ventilation system (fan, extractor hood, etc.)
3. Four-burner gas or electric cooker
4. Desk & chair (study / computer desk)
5. One-time supply of soap, shampoo and shower gel upon arrival

Luxury

All minimum requirements & Comfortable requirements plus at least 10 of the features listed below:

1. Fixed safe
2. One bedroom with en-suite bathroom
3. > One bedroom with en-suite bathroom
4. Spare blanket, fitted sheet, pillowcase and duvet cover for each bed
5. Controlled bedside reading light
6. Bathtub in bathroom
7. Magnifying mirror
8. Extra face towel and bath towel per person
9. Microwave oven
10. Bathrobe per person
11. Double kitchen sink

12. Second hand-wash basin
13. Dishwasher
14. Tumble dryer
15. Dining room table and chairs (separate from kitchen and living room)
16. Jacuzzi
17. Open and/or closed swimming pool
18. Umbrellas or shade structures around the pool
19. Sun loungers and cushions sufficient for the number of people
20. Poolside table and sufficient number of chairs or armchairs

How to Register a Holiday House

The registration application is found at the following link: Deputy Prime Ministry, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment - Holiday Houses Digital Management System

This is a comprehensive website with clear descriptions in English and Turkish. The Frequently asked questions provides good information about what is required when making the application.

Sign Up Screen

Registration of Holiday Houses

The owner or authorized agent(with POA) or the lessor must apply to the Department and obtain a Registration Certificate in order to operate a holiday house.
- The application is submitted to the Department via the App together with the required documents.
Application for >1 holiday house can be made with one application.
The Department may request in writing or by email for incomplete, incorrectly completed applications or missing documents to be remedied <15 business days. If any errors are not corrected, the Department will reject the application. However the applicant can reapply
The Proposed Holiday house(s) will be examined by approved government officials <30 business days from the date of application to check compliance to the Holiday House rental law
The Department must complete all its work <90 business days from the date of application and notify the applicant by app or e-mail of its decision that the application has been accepted or, if it is to be rejected, with the reason.
Once a property is approved it will be recorded on the Register of Holiday Houses and owners
The registry record is created and a Holiday House Registration Certificate issued to the owner(s), their agent or the lessor <10 business days from the date of approval.
- The application fee of 50% gross monthly minimum wage must be paid to the Tax Office at this stage.
- This is a one-off Registration Certificate fee.
The Holiday House Operating Permit is issued <10 business days from the date of payment of the fee for the Registration Certificate. The addresses of all holiday houses are included in the Holiday House Operating Permit.
- The Holiday House Operating Permit is as shown in Annex Ek-6

Amendment of Registrations – adding new houses

The holiday house owner may increase the number of holiday houses operated, by applying to the Department for an amendment of the Register and the Registration Certificate.
This application is checked and if the holiday house(s) are not in compliance with the requirements, the applicant will be notified in writing or by email to remedy the deficiencies.
The applicant must remedy the deficiencies <30 business days from the date of the request. If the deficiencies are not corrected, the application will be rejected.
Once the initial application or corrected application is approved, the Register and the Registration Certificate is updated and the applicant is notified in writing or by e-mail.
The amended Registration Certificate can be obtained from the Department <5 business days.
- The fee for an amendment is 10% of the monthly gross minimum wage, paid to the Tax Office.

Amendment of Registration – Change of Ownership & Ceasing Use

Change of Property Ownership

If the holiday house changes owner by sale, donation or similar method (excluding Inheritance), the Department cancels the holiday house Registration Record and Registration Certificate.
The new owner must apply anew to register the property and obtain a Registration Certificate. The new owner cannot operate the property(s) as a holiday house until a new Registration and Registry Certificate are issued

Ceasing Use of a Property as a Holiday Home

If a person wishes to cease operating 1 or more of their holiday house(s) they must notify the Department.
The Department will cancel the entry in the Register, the Registration Certificate and the Holiday House Operating Permit.
A fee of 5% of the monthly gross minimum wage is paid to the Tax Office for the change.
If the owner(s) operating the holiday house completely ceases operating the holiday house, they must immediately notify this to the Department
The Department cancels the Registration Record, Registration Certificate and Holiday House Operating Permit and notifies the owner / agent / lessor in writing or by e-mail.

Death of the Holiday House Owner

If the owner(s) of the holiday house(s) dies, the heir(s) of the owner must complete form (Annex 4) and submit to the department with the death certificate <30 business days from the date of death. A notification that the necessary documents will be submitted to the Department after the Grant of Probate is issued must also be submitted
If the heir(s) do not submit the form & death certificate, the Registration Record, Registration Certificate and Operating Permit become invalid and the holiday house cannot be operated.
If the heir(s) wish to continue operating the holiday house(s), in addition to notifying the death of the owner, must open Probate in accordance with the Administration of Estates Law <60 business days from the date of death. Within 15 business day after Probate is opened and the estate administration order obtained, the names of the heir(s) must be notified to the Department
If the death of the owner is notified but either, the estate is not established within the specified period; the estate administration order or the name(s) of the heirs are not notified to the Department, the Registration Record, Registration Certificate and Operating Permit becomes invalid and the holiday house(s) cannot be operated.
If the estate is established for the owner, the estate administration order and the names of the heir(s) are notified to the Department by the estate administrator as required above. The Registration Record, the Registration Certificate and Operating Permit will be temporarily registered in the name of the estate until the estate procedures are completed.
Upon completion of the estate procedures and submission to the Department of the registry certificate(s) or possession certificate(s) obtained by the new owner(s) from the Land Registry for the purpose of operating a holiday house by the owner(s), the Department reassigns the registry record.
If there are multiple registered owners or possessors and separate registry certificates are obtained for all holiday houses and the fee (50% gross monthly minimum wage) is paid, the Department issues a new registry number to each registered owner and issues the Registration Certificate under that registry number.
If all the new registered owners obtain a shared registry certificate for all holiday houses, the Department carries out the procedures under the old registry number. The new owners who obtain a new Registration Certificate to operate a holiday house and the new owners who obtain a shared registry certificate for all holiday houses are obliged to obtain an Operating Permit by paying the fee to the Tax Office.
If the new owner(s) do not wish to operate a holiday house, the house(s) registered as holiday houses are removed from the register.

Annual Fees

Annual fees for operating a holiday house
- Standard Holiday House - 7% of the monthly gross minimum wage
- Comfortable Holiday House - 11% of the monthly gross minimum wage
- Luxury Holiday House - 15% of the monthly gross minimum wage
The first Operating Permit issued is valid for 1 year and the owner / his agent /the lessor applies to the Department <30 business days before the expiration of the Permit to renew the holiday house Operating Permit.
The renewed holiday house Operating Permit is valid for 1 year and must be renewed every year. The owner / his agent / the lessor must apply and pay the annual fee to the Tax Office
If new holiday houses are added to the Registration Certificate and Operating Permit the owner pays for the added holiday house to the Tax Office. The first Operating permit period for the added holiday house(s) is 1 year. Subsequent renewals for the holiday houses will be made every year

Obligations and Rights of the Holiday House Owner / Agent / Lessor

Must provide the holiday house for the use of the user in accordance with the rules of the agreement or contract made with the user.
Warning signs inside the holiday house, the parking area or the garden or in common use areas must be written in English & Turkish and hung in suitable places where they can be seen
Must clean the holiday house after the user has completed the usage period and vacated it, before giving it to the new user.
Must ensure the user can comfortably benefit from the items, furnishings, equipment and installations in the holiday house.
Unless otherwise agreed with the user, the usage period starts at 14:00 and ends at 12:00 noon on the following day.
If there is a fire or smoke sensor in the holiday house or in common use areas if it is an apartment building, there must be a suitably placed sign notifying there is a smoke sensor and its location
Signs indicating there is a camera system in the building must be displayed in suitable locations either inside or outside the building, if there are cameras in common use areas, the exterior of the apartment or in apartment units, studio apartments, residence units, villa or detached house.
Must indicate the parking space(s) of the holiday house with a sign "parking space belonging to this building" to be hung in the parking area.
Must write the address of the building on the waste container of the holiday house(s) to ensure it is understood it belongs to the used holiday house(s).
Must take necessary measures to ensure the Tenant Registration Form - Annex 9 is signed by the user.
Must place the inventory of all items and furnishings in the holiday house in a place where the user can see it.
Must display the information notice - Annex 10 in Turkish & English where the holiday house users can see it

Must submit 2 copies of the User Registration Form, filled out by the users to the Department <=10 business days following the end of each month. If the Department requests the user information and the user's identity or passport information in the registration forms electronically or in person, the owner or agent or lessor must act in accordance with the Department's request.
- The registration forms are submitted as an annex to the letter - Annex 11
If the owner or agent or lessor discovers the user or his companions have contracted a communicable disease, he must notify this in writing or by e-mail to the Department, the Police or the Ministry of Health

Tenant Registration Form

Information Notice & Holiday House Owner Covering Letter

Obligations of the User to the Owner / Agent / Lessor and the Environment

The user(s) must complete & sign the Tenant Registration Form (Annex 9) and give it to the owner / agent / lessor. If the user refuses to complete the Registration Form, the owner or agent or lessor may refuse use of the house.
- If the user is illiterate or does not know Turkish or English, the form can be filled out by the owner or agent or lessor or by an acquaintance who is literate.
If the holiday house is in a residential area or an apartment unit or studio apartment, the user and his companions must use the holiday house without disturbing the environment or neighbours.
The user must use the holiday house, its items, installations, equipment and furnishings without causing damage.
The user must vacate the holiday house by 12:00 at the latest on the date specified in the Registration Form, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the owner / agent / lessor.
If the holiday house is an apartment unit, studio apartment or residence unit, the user must use all common use areas, items, installations and furnishings if any, carefully and without causing damage.
The user must immediately notify the owner / agent / lessor if he or any person in his company contracts a communicable disease.

Rights of the Owner or Agent or Lessor

The Owner may calculate the fee for the arrival day at the full daily rate, regardless of the arrival time.
If the user does not vacate the holiday house at the end of the usage period, the owner has the right to remove the user and any companions, together with their belongings or luggage, from the holiday house.
If the user refuses to pay any damages, the owner has the right to seize the user's belongings.

Duties and Powers of the Department

The Department may monitor and inspect holiday houses registered in the register at any time.
Routine inspections will take place at least once every 3 years.
The Department may request the operating permit holder to remedy any violations of the regulations, issued during inspections.
If a house is operated as a holiday house without Registration Record, Registration Certificate and Holiday House Operating Permit and/or without complying with the permit conditions, the person(s) operating it are responsible and the house is sealed by the Department until the necessary permits and documents are obtained and/or brought into compliance with the permit conditions.
The Department may request, police officers where the holiday house is located to assist Department officials in the sealing process and afterwards. In case of non-compliance with the sealing decision and entry into the closed holiday house, the Department personnel and/or the Police ensure compliance with the decision. In addition, the Department initiates the necessary criminal investigation under paragraphs (1) or (2) or (3) of Article 19 of this Law.
The Department must send 1 copy of the Tenant Registration Form that the owner / agent / lessor submits, containing the user information, to the Police within 3 business days from the date of receipt. The second copy will be kept for at least 90 business days.
The Department must immediately notify any communicable disease that comes to its knowledge by the owner in accordance to the Ministry of Health and take necessary measures.

Closure Authority

If Registered holiday are modified so they no longer meet the requirements for operation as holiday houses, for example their furnishings are changed or reduced
- as observed during an inspection, by the monitoring and inspection team
  - Either before registration, obtaining Registration Certificate and granting Operating Permit or
  - After starting to operate,
- and it is reported in writing by the monitoring and inspection team, the Department requests the owner / agent / lessor in writing or by e-mail to bring the holiday house back to its state before the Operating Permit was granted within 30 business days.
If the owner / agent / lessor does not comply with this request, the Department may cancel the Registry record, Registration Certificate and Operating Permit of the holiday house.
The cancellation and reason for cancellation decision will be notified to the owner / agent / lessor in writing or by e-mail and the door of the holiday house(s) will be sealed by the Department personnel.
If the notification is not received by the owner / agent / lessor, the Department personnel shall post the decision on the door of the holiday house(s) and the service process is deemed to have been completed.

Administrative Fine, Sealing of the Holiday House, Closure Authority, Offenses and Penalties

An Owner / Agent who acts contrary to paragraphs (B), (C), (Ç), (D) and (G) of paragraph (1) of Article 5 of this Law and paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (12) of Article 10, a written or e-mail notification is served by the public officials pursuant to Article 15 of this Law for the remedy of the violation within 15 business days. The notification will clearly state which article or paragraph has been violated.
If the violation or behaviour is not remedied, an administrative fine equal 100% monthly gross minimum wage is imposed by serving a penalty notice to the owner / agent / lessor by the public officials under Article 15 of this Law, and the remedy of the violation is requested.
The administrative fine imposed is paid to the Tax Office within 15 business days following the date of imposition. In addition, the violation is remedied within this period.
Administrative fines not paid within 15 business days shall be doubled. If the increased administrative fine is not paid within 15 business days and the violation is not remedied, the Holiday House Operating Permit is suspended and the holiday house or houses are closed, notified to the holiday house owner / agent / lessor in writing or by e-mail, and the door of the holiday house is sealed by the Department personnel on the day following the notification. If the owner / agent / lessor cannot be identified and the notification cannot be served, the written notification is hung on the door of the holiday house(s) and the door of the holiday house or houses is closed and sealed.
After the closure and sealing process, if the fine and any fees to be paid, together with the delay penalties arising pursuant to the Law on the Procedure for Collection of Public Receivables, are paid to the Tax Office and the violation and behaviour are remedied, the seal is removed by the Department and the letter stating that the Holiday House Operating Permit is suspended is cancelled by the Department and notified to the owner or agent or lessor in writing or by e-mail.

Offences and Penalties

Whoever;

Operates a holiday house without making a registry record is in violation of Articles 7 and 8 of this Law,
Operates a holiday house without obtaining a registry certificate is in violation of Article 8 of this Law,
Operates a holiday house without obtaining an operating permit is in violation of paragraph (1) of Article 9 of this Law,
Operates a holiday house without paying the operating permit fee is in violation of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of Article 9 of this Law,
Acts in violation of the rules of paragraph (10) of Article 10 of this Law,
Acts in violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of Article 13 of this Law,
Opens the seal on the door of the holiday house sealed after closure by the Department pursuant to paragraph (4) of Article 17 of this Law and also Article 18, commits an offense and;
1. In case of conviction for the offence or offences in paragraphs (1), (2)and (3) of this article, a fine up to 10 x monthly gross minimum wage,
2. In case of conviction for the offence in paragraph (4) of this article, a fine up to 5 x monthly gross minimum wage or,
3. In case of conviction for the offence(s) in paragraphs (5), (6), (7) of this article, a fine up to 5 x monthly gross minimum wage, may be imposed. In addition, the Court may decide to reseal the holiday house in addition to the penalty given for the offence in paragraph (7) of this article.

Persons operating holiday houses from 1 March 2026 must comply with the rules of this Law within 4 months of this date.

The complete translated law can be accessed by clicking the link below:

NORTH CYPRUS HOLIDAY HOUSE LAW 2.26.pdf

ℹ️ Please note that laws, regulations, procedures, fees and taxes may change over time. While we make every effort to keep the information on this website up to date, we recommend verifying the latest requirements with the relevant authorities or a qualified professional before making any legal, financial or property-related decisions.