The Cyprus government has taken its message directly to the British press, warning that property purchases in the Turkish-occupied north carry serious legal risks.
In comments to the Daily Express, GC Chief Negotiator Menelaos Menelaou underlined that any transaction involving homes left behind by Greek Cypriots in 1974 is legally invalid. He stressed that buyers could face prosecution if the lawful owners pursue claims.
“They should definitely be careful because they are going to a place where there is an occupation, an illegal occupation and an illegal regime that cannot produce any legal acts, including in the field of selling and buying properties,” Menelaou told the paper.
“If the lawful owner initiates legal proceedings, then [buyers] might face legal consequences. Even if they didn’t buy knowingly, that is not an excuse.”
Cheaper Prices, Higher Risks
As the Express pointed out, property in the north can be 30–50% cheaper than in the Republic of Cyprus. But much of it belongs to Greek Cypriots displaced during Turkey’s 1974 invasion, when 160,000 people fled south, abandoning homes and land.
"Unsuspecting pensioners who dream of a home in the sun for their retirement may discover that what they purchased was not owned by the person who sold it to them", the Express noted.
Nicosia has intensified legal action. In May, two Hungarian women were jailed for advertising such homes online, while four other foreign nationals are awaiting trial on related charges.
Misleading Promotions
Websites including Live and Invest Overseas have been criticised for marketing Kyrenia as an attractive destination for expats, highlighting low living costs and healthcare but failing to mention the island’s division or the legal status of properties.
Broader Concerns
The Express piece also pointed to unease in the north, where authorities have approved plans to double the number of casinos to 64, sparking fears of dependence on a “dark economy.”
With more than 1.3 million Britons visiting Cyprus each year, Cyprus officials say the warning is urgent: what looks like a retirement bargain in the north could quickly become a costly legal nightmare.
The Express also referred to a Financial Times report that the illegal regime in the nort of Cyprus has given the go-ahead for the number of casinos to double to 64, prompting fears among Turkish Cypriots that the government is turning to the ‘dark economy’.