Updated
GL-C-07
Glossary · Cyprus PR
Cyprus Department of Lands and Surveys - the property register
Cyprus state property register - Department of Lands and Surveys
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- Cyprus state property register - Department of Lands and Surveys
- What it does
- Registers ownership, takes contract deposits, issues title deeds and search certificates
- Where
- Offices in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta and the DLS portal
- Why it matters for PR
- Your purchase contract must be filed here before the PR application
02 / In plain words
What Cyprus Department of Lands and Surveys means
The Cyprus Department of Lands and Surveys (DLS, in Greek Τμήμα Κτηματολογίου και Χωρομετρίας, commonly "Ktimatologio") is the state body that keeps the register of all property on the island.
It registers ownership, accepts deposits of sale contracts, issues title deeds and search certificates, and calculates and collects transfer fees. Each district has its own office and many services are on the DLS portal.
For Cyprus permanent residence the department matters from day one: the criteria require your contract to be officially filed with it before you apply.
A simple example
A client buys a flat in Limassol. The lawyer orders a search certificate (€20), the contract is signed 3 days later and deposited at the Limassol office a week later (€50). With the deposit stamp the client applies for PR.
When you will deal with the DLS
- Checking the property before a deposit
- Depositing the sale contract
- Transferring ownership to you
- Annual proof of the investment for PR
- Selling or replacing the property
03 / What it covers
What the DLS does
Register
- Owner and description
- Mortgages and seizures
- Deposited contracts
Fees
- Contract deposit €50
- Search certificate €10-20
- Transfer fees
Documents
- Title deed
- Search certificate
- Deposit stamp
Where
- 5 district offices
- DLS portal
- Through a lawyer with a power of attorney
04 / How it works
How a purchase passes through the DLS
Search certificate
The lawyer checks the owner, mortgages and bans.
Signing
The certificate is attached to the contract.
Deposit
The contract is filed at the district office, fee €50.
Transfer
Ownership is registered to the buyer.
Title deed
A certificate of ownership in your name.
05 / Key facts
What matters
01Who applies
The buyer through a lawyer
The buyer's lawyer files under a power of attorney. The client does not need to visit the office.
02Main fees
€50, €10-20, €5
Contract deposit €50, search certificate €10 per district or €20 for all Cyprus, title certificate €5. Paid by the buyer.
03Transfer fees
Zero with VAT
If the seller charged VAT there is no transfer fee. On resales it is 3/5/8% with a 50% discount, paid by the buyer on transfer day.
04For PR
Contract filed before applying
The Migration Department accepts the application only when a contract or title in your name is already filed here.
Common mistakes
Signing without a fresh search certificate
The certificate must be no older than 5 working days before signing. The lawyer orders it at the office or on the portal.
Delaying the contract deposit
The law allows 6 months, but we file within 1-2 weeks: before the deposit the buyer has no priority.
Waiting for the title deed to apply for PR
A deposited contract and €300,000 paid are enough. The title deed may come later.
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Give your lawyer a power of attorney for the DLS and get a Cyprus tax number: without them the contract cannot be deposited. Transfer money only after the search certificate.
What we do for you. We deal with the DLS through a lawyer with a power of attorney: checks, deposit, transfer, and annual certificates for PR.
Igor VentsHead of real estate, Title Deed and property checks
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
The state property register (DLS). It registers ownership, accepts contract deposits and issues title deeds.
No. Your lawyer files the documents under a power of attorney.
€50 per contract.
€10 for one district or €20 for all of Cyprus.
No, if the seller charged VAT. Transfer fees apply only to sales without VAT.
Yes, the DLS portal lets you order certificates and file some applications.
Cyprus PR glossary
- Cyprus PR programme →
- Cyprus PR
- ARC (Cyprus alien registration)
- Form MIP2
- Cyprus residence card
- Cyprus PR criteria
- Cyprus Migration Department
- Secure annual income
- Dependent students 18-25
- Cyprus PR monitoring
- Encumbrance in Cyprus
- Separate title deed in Cyprus
- Developer mortgage in Cyprus
- Reservation agreement in Cyprus
- Sale contract in Cyprus
- Specific performance law
- Direct title issue to the buyer
- Cyprus transfer fees
- Foreign buyer permit (Cap. 109)
- Planning permit
- Building permit
- Certificate of final approval
- Division permit
- First sale from a developer
- Resale property in Cyprus
- 18-month new building rule
- Commercial property for Cyprus PR
- Short-term rental licence
- VAT on Cyprus property
- Reduced 5% VAT on housing
- Cyprus tax identification code
- Cyprus stamp duty
- Cyprus capital gains tax
- Special defence contribution
- Cyprus non-dom status
- GESY health contribution
- Cyprus tax residency
- Cyprus income tax
- €300,000 investment for Cyprus PR
- Investment in a Cyprus company
- Investment in a Cyprus fund
- Cyprus PR government fees
- Source of funds for Cyprus PR
- Cyprus bank account
- Family members in Cyprus PR
- Apostille for Cyprus
- Certifying officer in Cyprus
- Citizen Service Centre (KEP)
- Sworn translator in Cyprus
- Police clearance for Cyprus
- Plan A health insurance
- Power of attorney for Cyprus
- Income affidavit
- Non-employment declaration
- Medical tests for Cyprus PR
- Cyprus citizenship by residence
- All terms →
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