TRNC Public Information Office

The capital of TRNC is Lefkosa (Nicosia), which has a population of approximately 85,000, where the main administration and business centers are. Other major towns include : Gazimağusa (Famagusta) which is a flourishing tourism, industrial and commercial center, as well as being the country's principle port, Girne (Kyrenia) a town of touristic importance with a wonderful yatch harbour.

Although, Turkish is the official language, English is also widely used and understood. Many hotels employ German speaking personnel. Some of the hotels have Arabic or French speaking personnel, too.

Local time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), however, from April to September, the local time is three hours ahead of GMT.

Helped by a good climate, health conditions are good and there are good medical facilities. Emergency medical treatment at State Hospitals in all towns, are free for visitors.

The country is free from infectious diseases.

Kyrenia Akçiçek Hospital
Tel no:+90 392 8152266
+90 392 8152999

Famagusta State Hospital (Gazi Magosa Devlet Hastanesi)
Tel no: +90 392 3662876
+90 392 3665328

Private Başkent Hospital (Özel Başkent Hastanesi)
Öğretmenler caddesi Budalı Sokak
Tandoğan apt. Kat 2 no:2
Tel no:+90 392 2236695
+90 392 2236695

In TRNC, numerous Turkish and Turkish Cypriot operate and they are open from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) between 08.00-12.00/14.00-16.00 hours.

New Turkish lira is used as the local currency. There is no restriction for the import of foreign currency into Northern Cyprus, however, the export of currency is restricted to US-dollars 10000, or the equivalent in other currencies.

Exchanging all the currencies in banks, exchange offices and in hotels, is possible.

Visa card, credit card, master and euro cards, checks etc. can be used in place of cash.

There is a wide selection of consumer goods of good quality. In addition to locally produced consumer goods, almost all foreign brands are available on the market.

Personal clothing and personal belongings, intended for the visitor's own use, are not liable to duty. Each adult visitor is allowed to bring 200 cigarettes, or their equivalent in cigars or tobacco, together with one bottle of spirits and one bottle of wine and reasonable quantity of perfumery.

International subscriber dialling is possible to most of the countries. Telephone calls can be made from telecommunications offices, kiosks and at the hotel reception desks. Telex, fax and posting services are also available.

Traffic flows on the left lane. Traffic signs are international. The conditions of roads are very good.

Cars entering TRNC must have a valid insurance certificate. For a tourist driver a valid national or international driving licence is accepted.

Visitors can get to TRNC by air or by sea. Ercan State Airport is 7 miles (12 km) east of Lefkosa, which enables flights of Cyprus Turkish Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Atlasjet Airlines and Pegasus Airlines..

There are several ferry-boats of different lines operating between ports of Girne and Famagusta in Northern Cyprus and, ports of Mersin and Antalya in Southern Turkey. Additionally, the ferryboat services between Gazimağusa Port and Latakia Port of Syria which have recently started, are also available.

For local transportation apart from taxis and private hire cars, there are daily bus services between the towns.

TOWN	POLICE STATION	HOSPITAL
Lefkosa	2283311	2285441
Gazimagusa	3665321	3665328
Girne	8152125	8152266
Güzelyurt	7142141	7236329
Lefke	7287256	7287757
Ercan	2314650	----
İskele	3712333	2712319

HOW TRAVEL TO NORTH CYPRUS:

In addition to the country’s national carrier, the Cyprus Turkish Airlines, three other airlines operate regular services to and from the TRNC. The TRNC has two modern and well-equipped airports meeting the world standards. The TRNC Air Traffic Control also has an international character for it gives service not only those flying to or from the TRNC but to all aircraft using the TRNC airspace. There are daily scheduled direct flights to and from Turkey by the airlines operating in TRNC. There are also connecting flights to major capitals of the world via Turkish Airlines. Chartered flights from major Europeans capitals to TRNC are carried out during summer time.

It is an important that all flight tickets must be reconfirmed two days before departure.Three ferryboat companies operate regular services between the two main ports. Famagusta and Kyrenia, of the TRNC and the ports in the southern coast of Turkey. Kyrenia port is mainly used for the summer traffic.

There are regular passenger boats and car ferry services between Kyrenia-Taşucu and 9 hours between Famagusta. Mersin, it takes approximately 4 hours between Girne-Taşucu and 9 hours between Famagusta and Mersin.

Immigration and residential requirements:

All persons arriving in the TRNC should hold a valid passport. Citizens of the TRNC and Turkey may enter with a valid identity card. Visas are not required for the majority of the foreign visitors except of Greek and Armenian citizens. Passengers are welcomed at Ercan and Geçitkale airport, Kyrenia and Famagusta ports.

Foreigners first should get the permission from the Ministry of Interior to buy the property. Then they get residence permit from the Immigration Office. This is necessary to get a resolution from the Council of Ministers.

USEFUL INFORMATION