Turkey and TRNC sign deal to build KYK dorms in Girne and Nicosia

Two new student dormitories are coming to North Cyprus, one in Nicosia and one in Girne, under a protocol signed on October 6, 2026 between the TRNC Ministry of National Education and Turkey's Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The dorms will fall under Turkey's KYK system, the state dormitory network used across Turkey. Under the deal, Turkey's Youth and Sports Ministry will build the dormitories and run them, aiming for what officials describe as a modern management and operating model.

What this means for you: if you are weighing housing options in Nicosia or Girne, this adds a future source of dormitory beds beyond university-run halls and private rentals. The protocol does not specify a construction timeline, number of beds, room rates, or an opening date, so treat this as a development to watch rather than an option you can apply to yet.

The move sits inside the 2026 economic and financial cooperation agreement between the Turkish and TRNC governments, and officials framed it as part of a broader push to raise the quality and capacity of higher education in North Cyprus, including student numbers.

Education Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu called it part of ongoing work "for our youth and our children," while Turkey's Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak said he hoped the cooperation would prove beneficial.

Until details on capacity, pricing, and opening dates emerge, keep comparing your current housing options. Check the student accommodation directory for existing dorms and their distance to campus, and use the cost calculator to see how dorm versus private rental costs compare in Girne and Nicosia. If you are still choosing a university, the university comparison tool covers all 19 accredited TRNC institutions.