Council Tax in North Cyprus: What Property Owners Really Pay

Council Tax in North Cyprus: What Property Owners Really Pay (Çatalköy & Esentepe Explained)

If you are buying, owning, or considering property in North Cyprus, one of the most common questions is:

“Is there council tax in North Cyprus – and if so, how much is it?”

The short answer is: North Cyprus does not have council tax in the UK sense, but it does have low-cost municipal property taxes and service charges that serve a similar purpose.

In this guide, we explain exactly how council-tax-type charges work in North Cyprus, with a using Çatalköy and Esentepe as an example, including:

• What you pay

• How it’s calculated

• What it pays for

• Real-world examples

• How it compares to the UK and Europe

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Is There Council Tax in North Cyprus?

No — there is no banded council tax system based on property value like in the UK.

Instead, property owners pay:

1. Annual Property Tax (Emlak Vergisi) – calculated by square metres

2. Municipal service charges – covering local services

These are administered by the local municipality (Belediye) rather than central government.

For Çatalköy and Esentepe, this is the Çatalköy-Esentepe Belediyesi.

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Annual Property Tax in Çatalköy & Esentepe (2025)

How Property Tax Is Calculated

Property tax in North Cyprus is calculated purely on property size (m²) — not market value.

Current Typical Rates

• First 120 m²: approx. ₺1.85 per m² per year

• Above 120 m²: approx. ₺2.00 per m² per year

Example Annual Property Tax Costs

Property Size	Approx. Annual Tax
80 m² apartment	~ ₺148
120 m² apartment	~ ₺222
150 m² house	~ ₺282
200 m² villa	~ ₺370

Compared to UK council tax, these figures are extremely low, even for large villas.

When Is It Paid?

• Usually twice per year

• Typically spring and autumn

• Paid directly to the local municipality

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Municipal Service Charges (The Closest Thing to “Council Tax”)

In addition to property tax, homeowners may pay municipal service fees, which vary by area and property type.

What These Charges Usually Cover

• Garbage and waste collection

• Street cleaning

• Road and pavement maintenance

• Street lighting

• Public spaces and green areas

• Local municipal administration

How Much Are Municipal Charges?

• There is no single fixed national rate

• Charges depend on:

  • Property type (apartment vs villa)

  • Location

  • Services provided

• Some homeowners report monthly municipal service charges, which may be around ₺400–₺500, depending on circumstances

These charges are still very low by international standards.

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What Your Money Pays For in Çatalköy & Esentepe

Municipal taxes in Çatalköy and Esentepe help fund:

• Local roads and infrastructure

• Street lighting

• Waste collection and disposal

• Public area maintenance

• Municipal staffing and administration

• Village-level services

Because taxes are low, services can be more basic than in Western Europe — but ongoing ownership costs remain among the lowest in the Mediterranean.

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Important One-Off Property Taxes (Not Council Tax, But Essential)

While annual costs are low, buyers should budget for one-time taxes when purchasing property.

Common One-Off Costs in North Cyprus

Tax / Fee	Typical Rate
Stamp Duty	0.5% of contract price
Title Deed Transfer Tax	6% (locals), up to 9% (foreign buyers)
VAT (new builds only)	5%
Infrastructure / utility fees	Varies

These are paid once only, not annually.

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How North Cyprus Compares to the UK & Europe

Location	Typical Annual Council/Property Tax
UK	£1,500–£4,000+
Spain / France	€800–€3,000
North Cyprus	₺150–₺400 (property tax)

For retirees, investors, and second-home owners, this is a major financial advantage.

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Key Things to Know Before Buying

• Always check rates with the local municipality

• Ensure all municipal taxes are fully paid before resale

• Municipal service fees vary — ask for confirmation in writing

• Property tax is payable even if the property is empty

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Final Thoughts

If you own or are considering property in Çatalköy or Esentepe, you can expect:

• Very low annual property taxes

• No complicated council tax bands

• Simple square-metre calculations

• Minimal ongoing ownership costs

For many people moving to or investing in North Cyprus, this is one of the biggest financial benefits of property ownership.