Do I pay transfer fees on a new-build in Limassol?

No — purchases on which VAT is charged are exempt from Land Registry transfer fees. Transfer fees effectively apply to resale (non-VAT) purchases only.

How much is stamp duty on a €300,000 apartment?

Roughly €508: 0% on the first €5,000, 0.15% up to €170,000 and 0.2% on the balance, capped at €20,000 overall.

When must the contract be stamped?

Within 30 days of signing. Late stamping incurs penalties, and an unstamped contract cannot be deposited at the Land Registry for buyer protection.

Is there an annual property tax in Cyprus?

National immovable property tax was abolished in 2017. Owners pay modest municipal charges and, in developments, communal fees.

Transfer Fees & Stamp Duty in Cyprus: What Off-Plan Buyers Actually Pay

Good news buried in Cyprus property costs: most off-plan buyers pay no transfer fees at all, because VAT-bearing purchases are exempt. What remains is stamp duty — small, capped, and payable early. Here is the complete cost picture.

01Transfer fees: the exemption that matters

Land Registry transfer fees are charged when title passes: 3% up to ~€85,000 of value, 5% to ~€170,000 and 8% above, with a standing 50% reduction on those rates. But purchases on which VAT was paid — which means virtually every off-plan purchase from a developer — are fully exempt. This is a genuine structural advantage of new-build over resale, worth 1.5–4% of the price.

02Stamp duty: small, capped, early

The sale contract must be stamped: 0% on the first €5,000, 0.15% up to €170,000, and 0.2% above, capped at €20,000. On a €300,000 apartment that is roughly €508. Stamping within 30 days of signing matters because an unstamped contract cannot be deposited at the Land Registry for specific performance — the filing that protects you.

03The rest of the cost stack

Budget realistically: legal fees typically ~1% plus VAT, a small Land Registry deposit fee for the contract filing, utility connections at delivery, and communal-area setup charges some developers bill on handover. Annual holding costs are light — Cyprus abolished immovable property tax in 2017; municipal charges and communal fees remain.

04Resale comparison in one line

New-build: VAT (19% or partly 5%) + stamp duty, no transfer fees. Resale: no VAT, but transfer fees at the reduced scale + stamp duty. On mid-range Limassol prices the two structures can land closer than buyers expect — run both before assuming resale is cheaper.