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Bulgarians rush to buy properties in Turkish Cyprus

Samira Vishwas | June 19, 2025 4:12 PM CST

Girne, located on the northern coast of Turkish Republic of Cyprus, is famous for its historic old town with cobblestone streets and its distinctive horseshoe shaped harbor. (Adobe Stock Photo)

A growing number of Bulgarians are turning their eyes toward the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in search of affordable property with real estate prices reportedly five times lower than in the island’s southern part. The trend has sparked controversy following recent warnings from Greek media outlets, which label such sales as illegal under European law.

According to a report by the Bulgarian daily Telegraphthere has been a visible boom in online listings for apartments, houses, and villas in the TRNC.

Prices for a two-bedroom apartment reportedly start at €100,000 (over $114,600) while luxury penthouses can reach up to €3M. In stark contrast, similar properties in the Greek Cyprus, the internationally recognized southern part of the island, are said to cost at least €10 million.

Blue and white Cypriot house with window shutters and balconies in Famagusta, Turkish Cyprus. (Adobe Stock Photo)

Legal tensions surface over cross-border sales

The growing trend has stirred controversy, particularly in Greece and Greek Cyprus. Greek media outlets have issued warnings, branding Turkish Cyprus real estate sales as illegal under European Union law, which does not recognize the authority of the TRNC.

One Greek news source recently described the Turkish Cyprus property market as a “scam,” warning potential investors of possible risks tied to ownership claims and the lack of international recognition of the territory. Although the TRNC is governed separately with its own institutions, it is recognized only by Türkiye.

June 19, 2025 10:27 AM GMT+03:00