The economy in North Cyprus was relatively static between 1974 and 2004 when the Turkish Cypriots voted ‘yes’ to the terms of the Annan Plan for the peaceful reunification of Cyprus and the whole of Cyprus joined the European Union.  Although the terms of the Annan Plan were not accepted by the Greek Cypriot Republic of (South) Cyprus the international community has continued to soften its approach towards TRNC since 2004 in a bid to improve the economy of the island and the lives of the people living in North Cyprus. 

As a result, since 2004 the economy of North Cyprus has been rapidly expanding and many new businesses have opened creating employment opportunities and today those looking for jobs in North Cyprus in industries such as tourism, education, agriculture, construction or the service industry will find there are an increasing number of openings.

In theory to find employment in the North of Cyprus one has to be applying for a job that a local citizen could not do but in practice this rule is seldom, if ever, enforced.  One has to be in receipt of a work permit to take up the offer of a job but it’s usual for an individual to move to North Cyprus, get their residency and driving licenses sorted out (see our guide to Living and Working in North Cyprus for more information about this) and to then apply for a work permit – even if this means that they have been in their job for a month or so before they apply for their permissions.

Some expatriates move to the island and establish their own business and form a limited company through which to operate.  Limited companies which will own property have to have a majority Turkish Cypriot owned share whose control can be effectively negated through the creation of preference shares, the splitting of classes of share and the allocation of shares – a good local lawyer or accountant can help.  Companies which will not own property can have a majority foreign owned interest.

In terms of finding jobs in North Cyprus very few are advertised outside of the local community although a number of small websites are now advertising random positions within the tourism industry for example.  The best place to look is in either the English language Cyprus Today weekly newspaper or the English language Cyprus Times daily newspaper.  Other alternatives are simply travelling to North Cyprus and integrating with the local community and asking about openings, moving to live in North Cyprus and putting the word out that you are looking for a job or targeting local businesses with a letter of introduction and a resume.

Those who take the latter approach must follow up any applications made in person if they want to take as proactive an approach as possible to find work.

As North Cyprus has 6 universities (Eastern Mediterranean University, Near East University, European University of Lefke, International Cyprus University, Girne American University and the Middle East Technical University) 3 international schools (Sunny Lane, Near East and Girne American) and many local schools there are often teaching positions available across a broad range of subjects.  Such jobs are advertised on the university or school websites or in local press.  Otherwise the construction/estate agency and tourism industries are the main employers of expatriate personnel unless the expat in question has a good command of the Turkish language.