Buying Off-Plan Property in Cyprus from Nigeria

How an off-plan purchase works

Buying off-plan means you commit to a home before it is finished, usually directly from the developer who is building it. You sign a sale contract, and ownership is then registered with the Department of Lands and Surveys, which issues the title deed in the owner's name. Prices in Cyprus are set in euros, so it helps to plan your budget and your transfers in that currency from the start.

Our selection currently includes 102 developer projects, with homes starting from EUR 170,000. Each project is shown as a card on this page, so you can compare them before speaking with us.

Do Nigerian buyers need a permit?

Citizens of European Union and European Economic Area countries can buy in Cyprus without a special permit. Buyers from outside those areas, which includes buyers from Nigeria, need a permit issued on behalf of the Council of Ministers before the property can be registered in their name. We recommend that your lawyer deals with this step early, so it does not hold up your purchase.

The extra costs to expect

Where a purchase carries VAT, which is usually the case for new homes bought from developers, no transfer fee is due. If the purchase does not carry VAT, the buyer pays a transfer fee to the Department of Lands and Surveys. Stamp duty has been abolished, so newly signed property sale contracts no longer attract it.

Beyond these, budget for legal fees and for the cost of moving money between currencies, and ask your lawyer for a full breakdown before you sign.

Protecting yourself when you buy from a distance

The most important safeguard is depositing the signed sale contract with the Department of Lands and Surveys within the legal deadline. This protects you as the buyer if the seller fails to transfer the property. Make sure this deposit is done for you, and ask for proof that it has been completed.

The seller must also attach to the contract a recent certificate from the Department of Lands and Surveys listing any mortgages or other encumbrances on the property. Have an independent lawyer read this certificate carefully before you pay anything beyond the reservation.

A sensible order of steps

Start by choosing a project and a home that fits your budget, then reserve it and appoint your own lawyer. Your lawyer reviews the contract and the encumbrance certificate, handles the permit if you need one, and arranges the deposit of the contract. Once the home is completed, ownership is registered and the title deed is issued in your name. We stay with you through each stage, and you can contact us at any point with questions.

Updated October 2026 · Data: Palmera