Updated
GL-T-07
Glossary · Cyprus PR
Title deed in Cyprus - the proof of ownership
Certificate of Registration of Immovable Property - the main ownership document in Cyprus
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- Certificate of Registration of Immovable Property - the main ownership document in Cyprus
- In Greek
- Πιστοποιητικό Εγγραφής Ακίνητης Ιδιοκτησίας, colloquially "kochani"
- Issued by
- The DLS office of the district where the property is
- Needed for PR?
- No, a deposited contract and €300,000 paid are enough
02 / In plain words
What Title deed in Cyprus means
The title deed (officially the Certificate of Registration of Immovable Property, in Greek Πιστοποιητικό Εγγραφής Ακίνητης Ιδιοκτησίας, colloquially "kochani") is the main document proving ownership in Cyprus. "Tapu" is a Turkish term and is not used for Cyprus.
It shows the owner, plot number, area and type of property. Mortgages, seizures and bans are not visible on the title itself - a separate DLS search certificate shows them.
On a new build the flat's own title comes later: first the developer obtains the certificate of final approval and divides the plot. For PR you do not wait for it - a deposited contract and €300,000 paid are enough.
A simple example
A client buys a new flat. The plot title is with the developer and the search is clean. The client deposits the contract and gets PR, and receives the flat's own title a year and a half later after plot division.
When you will need the title deed
- Checking the seller before a deposit
- Transferring ownership to you
- Annual proof of the investment
- Selling or replacing the property
- Inheritance
03 / What it covers
What a title deed shows
Owner
- Name or company
- Share of ownership
- Registration date
Property
- Sheet, plan and plot number
- Area
- Type of property
Not on the title
- Mortgages
- Seizures
- Deposited contracts
Where to get it
- District DLS office
- DLS portal
- Through a lawyer
04 / How it works
How the title reaches the buyer
Developer permits
Building permit and certificate of final approval.
Plot division
One plot title is split into flat titles.
Separate title
The DLS issues the flat's own title.
Transfer
Registration to the buyer, certificate €5.
Title in your name
Kept by you, copies with the lawyer.
05 / Key facts
What matters
01Issued by
Lands Department
The district office where the property is issues it. A certificate in the buyer's name costs €5.
02What it shows
Owner and property
Mortgages, seizures and bans are not on the title - you need a DLS search certificate no older than 5 working days.
03New build
Title later
A separate title is issued after the certificate of final approval and plot division - months, sometimes years.
04For PR
Not required
The Migration Department accepts a title or a contract deposited with the DLS plus receipts for €300,000.
Common mistakes
Thinking the title shows all debts
Mortgages and seizures appear only in the DLS search certificate. The lawyer orders it before the contract.
Calling a Cyprus title "tapu"
"Tapu" is a Turkish document. In Cyprus it is a title deed or certificate of registration, colloquially "kochani".
Postponing PR until the title arrives
A deposited contract and payment are enough to apply. A new-build title may take years.
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Ask the seller for a copy of the title (or the developer's plot title) before any deposit and give it to your lawyer with a request for a DLS search certificate.
What we do for you. We check the title and search certificate before any deposit, track the separate title and handle the transfer to you.
Igor VentsHead of real estate, Title Deed and property checks
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
The certificate of registration of a property at the DLS - the main proof of ownership.
Πιστοποιητικό Εγγραφής Ακίνητης Ιδιοκτησίας, colloquially "kochani".
€5 for a certificate in the buyer's name.
No. The DLS search certificate shows them.
No. A contract deposited with the DLS and €300,000 paid are enough.
It is issued after the certificate of final approval and plot division.
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
- DLS search certificate
- Encumbrance in Cyprus
- Developer mortgage in Cyprus
- Reservation agreement in Cyprus
- Sale contract in Cyprus
- Contract deposit 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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