Stamp Duty Abolished in Cyprus: What Changes for Property Deals
Cyprus abolished stamp duty from 1 January 2026. Property sale contracts signed from that date no longer carry the duty, which used to cost up to €20,000 per contract.
By RealDeal team · 2 min read · Published 9 Jan 2026 · Updated 8 Oct 2026
Cyprus has repealed its Stamp Duty Law (Law 19/1963) with effect from 1 January 2026, as part of the 2026 tax reform. Property sale contracts, leases and other documents signed from that date are no longer subject to stamp duty. For buyers, this removes both a cost and a compliance step at the contract stage.
What buyers used to pay
Stamp duty on a property contract was calculated on the contract value:
| Contract value | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to €5,000 | Nil |
| €5,001–€170,000 | 0.15% |
| Above €170,000 | 0.20% |
| Maximum per contract | €20,000 |
On a €250,000 purchase, the duty came to €407.50: €247.50 on the band from €5,001 to €170,000 and €160 on the part above €170,000. It was due within 30 days of signing.
Why it mattered beyond the cost
An unstamped contract remained valid between the parties, but it could not be used as evidence in court and could be refused by public authorities. In practice, a sale contract had to be stamped before it could be used with the Land Registry.
Which contracts are covered
- Signed on or after 1 January 2026: no stamp duty.
- Signed up to 31 December 2025: the old rules still apply, even if the sale completes in 2026. Unpaid duty on these contracts remains payable, with penalties for late payment.
What this means for buyers
On a typical home the saving is a few hundred euros, but the extra step disappears as well. Other purchase costs, such as VAT and Land Registry transfer fees, are not affected by this change. Buyers with contracts signed in 2025 should check that the duty was paid, since an unstamped contract may still be needed at the Land Registry or in court.
This article is for information only and is not tax or legal advice.