Useful Information

Listed below is a range of useful information whether you are planning to visit North Cyprus for a holiday, coming to see us on a viewing visit, or buying a property. Do contact us if you have any additional questions – our office is open seven days a week 08.00 – 18.00.

Tel: 0090 533 8423514
E mail: info@ctcestates.com

Visit North Cyprus tourist board www.gonorthcyprus.co.uk and www.northcyprusonline.com for more detailed information on the history, culture and lots more!

Car/Driving Infomation

Driving

Driving in Northern Cyprus is the best way to get around as there are infrequent bus services to many of the more remote areas of the country, and bus services cease to operate after 17.00. Road surfaces between major towns and villages are reasonably good but some mountain and village roads are still unsurfaced so care should be taken especially in wet weather. You drive on the left in North Cyprus. Traffic signals are international and the maximum speed is 100km per hour. Seat belts must be worn. Drivers are prohibited to drive under the influence of alcohol – the limit is 50 mgr. Drink and drive regulations are vigorously enforced, as are parking restrictions. Fines are not as expensive as in the UK but can be ‘on the spot’. Unleaded petrol and diesel are available.

Driving licence

A valid British driving licence and an International Driving Licence are recognised in North Cyprus for a limited period. Anyone owning a car in North Cyprus is required to have a TRNC driving licence within a year. If this is not obtained and an accident occurs the car insurance becomes null and void.

Road tax/MOT/insurance

All locally registered cars are liable for road tax, paid annually at the office in Girne (Kyrenia), Lefkosa (Nicosia) Güzelyurt and Gazi Magusa (Famagusta). Cars over three years are required to have an MOT type test (repeated every three years) before the annual licence and a Road Fund licence disc is issued. Diesel cars are taxed at a higher rate than petrol vehicles. Local car insurance is obligatory and fully comprehensive is very expensive. Third party cover is very limited and does not give fire and theft cover. Vehicles entering North Cyprus must be insured upon arrival.

Car rental

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Car rental is recommended as there is plenty to see and do across the whole area. Most companies will offer a range of cars at varying and competitive prices. Check rental insurance arrangements carefully, as comprehensive is sometimes additional to the initial insurance. It is as well to enquire what additional liabilities might be incurred. A British or International Driver’s Licence is required. Rental cars have red number plates. It is advisable to book your car hire before your visit to North Cyprus and we can do this on your behalf, so please do not hesitate to e mail us with your dates and requirements.

You may rent a car in the South and cross over to the North but you are not able to rent a car in the North and cross over to the South – only personally owned cars can cross the border. There are rental agencies in the South near the crossing points and it’s easy to rent a car once you cross. Insurance purchased from one side is not applicable to the other, so when you cross you will need to purchase insurance if you plan to drive on the other side. This service is available in all main towns and some hotels.

Importing your car

If you are thinking of bringing your own car into North Cyprus, first decide whether it is financially viable – the cost of importing a vehicle is prohibitive and the duty payable can be as much as 40 – 60% of the value of the car! Glass%s Guide is used for the valuation. Servicing agents are available for most cars but it is best to check that spare parts are available in North Cyprus. If a car is taken out of the country eg if you are holidaying in Turkey, then an export certificate has to be obtained and then the car has to be re&#ndash;imported for a small fee. Visitors wishing to bring their own car from overseas temporarily, may do so for a period of up to 3 months provided the vehicle has a valid registration licence from its country of origin.

Buying a car

Retired people are no longer allowed one duty free car. When you purchase a car it is advisable to purchase it in joint names in case anything should happen to one of the partners.

Churches

The Anglican Church of St Andrew’s in Kyrenia is conveniently located near the town centre and services are held on Sundays and Thursdays, and all Christian communities are welcome. The Roman Catholic Church is also based in the centre of Kyrenia with mass celebrated on the first and third Sundays of each month. Other Christian churches are located in Famagusta and Nicosia.

Cities in North Cyprus

North Cyprus covers an area of 3,355 square kilometres and has a total population of 200,587. Lefkosa (Nicosia – shared with the South of Cyprus) is the capital city of TRNC with a population of 39,176.
Other cities include: Gazimagusa (Famagusta) population 27,637; Girne (Kyrenia) population 14,205;Guzelyurt population 12,865; Lefke population 6,940; Yeni Iskele population 2,814.

Climate

Visitors and locals enjoy long hot summers from mid–May to mid–October and short dry winters from December to February, separated by short autumn and spring seasons. The beaches of Northern Cyprus are among the cleanest and safest in the Mediterranean with an average water temperature of 24°C between May and October.

Currency and Exchange Rates

Turkish Lira is the legal tender but all foreign currencies are acceptable at trading and tourist outlets. Travellers cheques are accepted in banks, and sterling and dollars can be used in bars and restaurants, even buying your shopping from the corner shop! Euro cheques, traveller’s cheques, sterling, dollars and other major currencies may be used in the larger towns.

You don’t need to exchange GBP sterling into Turkish liras in the UK. Nearly all exchange shops (Doviz) in North Cyprus offer better rates than the UK. Nearly all taxis, hotels and good restaurants accept GBP pounds but avoid bringing Scottish pounds. As a general rule, the Turkish lira exchanges for sterling at a rate which is approximately 2.5 to the UK pound. This means that 10YTL (Turkish Lira) is worth £4.00.

Duty Free Allowance

There are duty free shops at Ercan airport and the ports at Kyrenia and Famagusta and visitors are allowed up to 400 cigarettes per adult or 500 grammes of tobacco or 50 cigars, one litre of spirits or one litre of wine and up to 100cl of perfume.

Education

Education standards in North Cyprus are very high. The majority of schools offer bilingual education starting with kindergarten, through to secondary school and then in their four universities.

Electricity

220/240 Volts A/A standard three pin British plugs are used. Some two pinned plugs still exist but adaptors are widely available in shops, supermarkets etc. There is little or no street lighting in the villages and on minor roads so a small torch comes in handy!

Geography

Cyprus is the most easterly of the Mediterranean islands, the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sardinia and Sicily. It lies 40 miles from Turkey, 60 miles from Syria and 250 miles from Egypt. North Cyprus is some 100 miles long, 40 miles across at its widest point, making up nearly 36% of the island of Cyprus. It has a unique blend of mountains, plains and miles and miles of fabulous beaches. The Kyrenia (Five Finger) range of magnificient jagged limestone peaks runs along most of the northern coastline.

History

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This island has a fascinating and troubled history. North Cyprus has for generations been subjected to many different influences all of which have affected the characteristics of the island so obvious in the architecture, cuisine and folklore. It is believed that there were settlements as long ago as 8500BC and the island’s strategic position has meant that Cyprus was the stepping stone between East and West for hundreds of years. Visit the North Cyprus tourism board website www.gonorthcyprus.co.uk and www.northcyprusonline.com for detailed information on its unique and eventful history and recommended sites and places to visit.

Language

Turkish is spoken but English is widely understood.

Limited Company – Setting Up

To set up a Limited Company you must instruct an accountant to make application on your behalf to the Council of Ministers, including the trading intentions of the company, directors, etc. Once the Council of Ministers has given permission you must apply to Immigration for an annually renewable business permit. TB and AIDS medical examinations must be carried out and, on clearance of the medical examination, you can register the company with the social security and the tax authorities. The team at C & T Construction & Estates would be happy to recommend English speaking first class lawyers and accountants.

Medical Services And Hospitals

The Central State Hospital is in Nicosia and there are other smaller hospitals in Kyrenia, Famagusta, Güzelyurt and Lefke and clinics in smaller towns and some villages. The British Residents’ Society organise Blood Donor days at Girne Hospital in April and October (dates published in Cyprus Today). Blood is collected by the TRNC blood bank and personal blood donor cards are given to donors which record their blood group and units donated, so as a donor you do not have to find a donor for you or your family in case of an emergency.

National Holidays

Date changes every year

Opening Hours

Shops are open with some variations but generally

Banks

Public Services

Parking

Free municipal parking is available in all major towns

Post

The outgoing postal system is reliable. Incoming mail must be suffixed “Mersin-10, Turkey” and not “Northern Cyprus”. Northern Cyprus’ rich history has proved particularly interesting to philatelists!

Public Transport

A good, inexpensive network of buses and mini buses operates between all the main towns, in addition there are Dolmus, shared taxis, operating on the same routes. Taxis are widely available but do not carry a meter, but charge a standard journey rate.

Refuse Collection

This usually happens once or twice a week from a local pick–up point. This may be paid for annually at the local Belediye Office, but in more isolated areas it is the responsibility of the householder to dispose of refuse.

Retired People

Retired people only need a residency permit to live in North Cyprus. They can import a full household of furniture virtually tax free – normally between 2–3%.

Telecommunications

International telecommunication facilities are a rapidly growing sector of the economy. The company responsible for all telecommunication also provides telex, fax, telegram transmission and ISDN/e-mail facilities. When making international calls the cheap rates are from 20:00 – 08:00 hrs, Monday – Friday and all the time at the weekend. Northern Cyprus is two hours ahead of GMT.

To dial from TRNC to UK dial 00 44 and omit the first 0 of the UK code.

To dial from UK to TRNC dial 00 90 392 then the area code, followed by the number required.

Time

North Cyprus is normally two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). For summer time clocks go forward one hour at 03.00 on the last Sunday in March and back again at 03.00 on the last Sunday in October.

Tourist Information

Available in all major towns – Kyrenia, Nicosia and Famagusta. Tour guides, hotel staff, taxi drivers and locals are all good sources of information!

Transportation of Personal Effects to and from the UK

C & T Construction & Estates can recommend local shipping agents familiar with the documentation (all in Turkish) and dealing with Customs. There is a regular shipping service from UK to Gazi Magusa (Famagusta) but the times can be a little unreliable. Air freight is not too expensive if pre-arranged with the airlines. It is crucial to remember to insure goods in transit and for the ongoing journey into the TRNC.

Custom duty is liable on all imported goods. People retiring to the TRNC may have that duty waived on used household effects upon proof of their retired status to the Customs authorities. However, duty may be levied on certain electrical items.

Travelling To North Cyprus

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Ercan airport is the main airport in North Cyprus and Gecitkale is a back-up airport. Flights are from Europe and mainland Turkey. There are scheduled flights to North Cyprus (Ercan Airport) from Manchester International, Glasgow, Belfast, London Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick. Flights from Europe to North Cyprus have to land in Turkey first for a short stop over but usually it is not necessary to change planes. It is anticipated that direct flights will soon fly into Ercan Airport. Visit Cyprus Turkish Airlines www.kthy.net/kthyen/html for more information.

There are daily car and passenger ferries from Turkey and Israel to the island. Many people enjoy taking the ferry from Girne to Tasucu in Turkey for cheap shopping.

Travel Insurance

Is always recommended.

Vaccations

No vaccinations are needed for North Cyprus.

Visas, Passports And Permits

A valid passport is necessary for your visit and a visa is granted on entrance to Northern Cyprus. British and most EU citizens do not need a visa to enter North Cyprus.

North Cyprus openly encourages people to live and work here and to invest in business especially the tourism sector. All foreigners coming to live or work in TRNC must apply for certain permits. Temporary residency permits, renewed annually, are issued by the local police station – a simple procedure involving completion of a form and four passport sized photographs. A full residency permit will not be issued until the person has lived in North Cyprus for five years.