Costs associated with the acquisition of property in Cyprus

Stamp duty

A stamp duty of 0,15% (£1,50 per £1.000) is levied on contracts with a value of up to £100.000. For any amounts thereafter, the rate is 0,2% (£2 per £1.000). The stamp duty is payable by the purchaser within 30 days of signing the contract.

Transfer fees

Property transfer fees are payable by the purchaser and are due when the title deeds are issued and transferred to his name.

 

  Property Value (£) Transfer Fees (%)  
  Up to 50.000 3  
  50.000 - 100.000 5  
  Over 100.000 8  

 

For example if the purchase price is £130.000 the transfer fees are calculated as follows:

 

  Property Value (£) Transfer Fees (%)  
  The first £50.000 @ 3% 1.500  
  The next £50.000 @ 5% 2.500  
  The last £30.000 @ 8% 2.400  
  Total Transfer Fees 6.400  

 

A tip for saving money on transfer fees:

Should the purchase be made in joint names, the effective value for calculation is halved.

For example if the purchase price is £130.000 and the purchase is made in joint names you can save £1.900. The transfer fees are calculated as follows:

£130.000/2 = £65.000 for each purchaser

 

  Property Value Purchaser A Purchaser B Purchaser C  
           
  First £50k @ 3% 1.500 1.500 3.000  
  Next £15k @ 5% 750 750 1.500  
        4.500  

 

Immovable property tax

The registered owner is liable for this annual tax, which is based on the value of the property.

 

  Property Value Annual Tax (%) £ per £1.000 Accumulated Annual Tax (£)  
  First £50k @ 3% 1.500 1.500 3.000  
  Next £15k @ 5% 750 750 1.500  
        4.500  

 

Capital gains tax

Capital Gains Tax is levied at the rate of 20% on gains arising from the disposal of immovable property or the disposal of shares of companies the assets of which consist mainly of immovable property.

However, for individuals, the total Capital Gains Tax paid is usually minimised for the following reasons:

  1. The cost of acquisition used for the calculation of the profit also includes any payments made for the improvement of the property or for any additions on the property as well as any interest paid for the acquisition.
  2. The acquisition cost used for the calculation of the profit is adjusted to take into account the inflation rate.
  3. The following lifetime allowances are given to individuals:
  • Net capital gains up to £10.000 earned from the disposal of any property are tax exempt.
  • Net capital gains up to £50.000 earned from the disposal of a family residence (subject to certain conditions) are tax exempt.

The above allowances are not available separately. An individual claiming a combination of the above allowances in only allowed a maximum allowance of £50.000.

VAT on property prices after May First, 2004.

All properties for which a valid application for Planning Permit was submitted at the Town Planning Department before the First of May 2004 are fully exempted from VAT.

AFTER SALES SERVICES

We offer a wide range of after-sales servies.

We provide amongst others: scheduled cleaning of the house and maintenance of swimming pool, gardening and painting, regular inspection of the property and emergency response, renting the property while the owner is away, payment of utility bills, and also re-sales service.

Property Management Services provided by Sotoproperties:

  1. Gardening. Planting and irrigation installations. Related services.
  2. Swimming Pool service.
  3. Security services available upon request.
  4. Emergency service. 24-hour response for plumbing, electrical matters.
  5. Advertisement of the property for rent and complete rental management.