New Point of Sale (POS) System Requirements in North Cyprus: What Vendors Need to Know

Businesses across North Cyprus (TRNC / KKTC) are preparing for a significant regulatory change affecting how sales are recorded and receipts are issued. From 1 January 2026, vendors required to issue fiscal receipts must transition from old-style cash registers to new-generation POS and fiscal cash register systems that meet updated tax compliance rules.

This guide explains what the new POS system requirements in North Cyprus are, who it affects, and how businesses should prepare.

_________________________________________________________

What Are the New POS System Requirements?

The change is not simply about accepting card payments. Instead, it mandates the use of “Yeni Nesil Yazar Kasa / Yeni Nesil Ödeme Kaydedici Cihaz” (new-generation fiscal cash registers).

These devices:

• Digitally record sales in a tax-compliant format

• Issue legally valid fiscal receipts

• May include integrated EFT-POS (card payment) functionality, or operate alongside a separate bank terminal

• Must be approved and registered with the tax authorities

Old-generation cash registers will no longer be permitted after the deadline.

_________________________________________________________

Who Must Comply?

The requirement applies to all vendors legally obliged to use a cash register, including:

• Restaurants, cafés, bars, and pubs

• Retail shops and supermarkets

• Hotels and hospitality venues

• Service businesses issuing VAT-compliant receipts

If your business issues receipts to customers and reports VAT, you are almost certainly in scope.

_________________________________________________________

Key Compliance Rules Vendors Must Follow

1. Use an Approved Device Only

Businesses must purchase a new-generation fiscal POS device that appears on the official approved brand and model list published by the KKTC Tax Department.

Unapproved devices cannot be legally used, sold, rented, or transferred.

2. Mandatory Registration and Sealing

Once purchased:

• The device must be registered with the Tax Department

• An application must be submitted within 15 days of the purchase invoice date

• The device is officially sealed before being put into service

Operating an unregistered or unsealed device is a compliance breach.

3. End of Old Cash Registers

From 1 January 2026:

• Old-style cash registers must be fully retired

• Separate, non-integrated systems that do not meet fiscal standards will not be accepted

This applies even if the business already accepts card payments.

_________________________________________________________

How This Affects Daily Business Operations

For most vendors:

• Sales workflows (tables, items, modifiers, inventory) remain familiar

• The critical change is that all receipts must be issued via a compliant fiscal device

• Many businesses will use:

  • An integrated fiscal POS terminal, or

  • A software POS system connected to an approved fiscal cash register

Restaurants and bars should ensure their POS software can legally interface with the fiscal device.

_________________________________________________________

Practical Checklist for Vendors

To stay compliant and avoid last-minute disruption:

1. Confirm your obligation with your accountant or tax adviser

2. Review the approved device list before purchasing

3. Buy only from authorised suppliers familiar with KKTC requirements

4. Submit registration documents within 15 days of purchase

5. Train staff on the new system well before January 2026

Early adoption reduces the risk of penalties, business interruption, or forced system changes.

_________________________________________________________

Why This Matters

The new POS system requirement is part of a wider effort to:

• Improve VAT reporting accuracy

• Reduce undeclared cash transactions

• Modernise retail and hospitality sales infrastructure

While it represents an upfront cost, compliant systems often deliver better reporting, stock control, and financial transparency.

_________________________________________________________

Final Thoughts

If you operate a customer-facing business in North Cyprus, upgrading to a compliant POS system is not optional. The deadline is fixed, and enforcement is expected to be strict.

Vendors who plan early will benefit from smoother implementation, better supplier choice, and fewer operational surprises as 2026 approaches.