Cyprus Citizenship by Investment – Path to EU Passport
Open the door to the EU with Cyprus citizenship by investment, one of the most attractive solutions for wealthy clients seeking freedom of movement, tax optimization and asset protection. Your investment can be in real estate, business or government funds, with the possibility of returning the investment in a few years. Most importantly, the process is carried out with maximum confidentiality and legal protection.
Our legal team accompanies you at every stage: from choosing an investment route and checking the reliability of the property to obtaining citizenship. We cooperate only with licensed agents and verified developers. Your case is conducted under the full control of experienced immigration lawyers.
Why is Cyprus one of the best options?
Cyprus is a member of the European Union, which means its citizens can freely live, work and study in any EU country, enjoy the benefits of European education and healthcare, and travel visa-free to more than 170 countries. Holders of a Cyprus residence permit have ample opportunities: safe residence, access to the banking system and tax optimization, with the prospect of naturalization.
The minimum investment for participation in the fast-track residence permit program is only €300,000, which makes it one of the most affordable on the EU market. The applicant only needs to purchase real estate for the specified amount and prove stable income from abroad. No knowledge of the language or permanent residence in Cyprus is required (one visit every two years is enough). This path is ideal for those who want to get a “backup airfield” in Europe while maintaining their usual way of life.
Although the citizenship by investment program was officially closed in 2020, the path to citizenship through naturalization by residence remains open for 5 years of residence with a temporary residence permit or 7 years without permanent residence. The advantage of Cyprus is that it allows dual citizenship, and the naturalization procedure is transparent and legally protected.
Cyprus is one of the few European islands that combines:
- No tax on dividends and capital gains (subject to tax residency conditions);
- Low corporate tax rate of 12.5%;
- No inheritance taxes;
- Favorable regimes for IP owners and IT companies.
In addition, Cyprus has concluded more than 65 double taxation agreements, making it an optimal jurisdiction for international business structures.
Cyprus offers a high quality of life: a mild climate and 340 sunny days a year, an English-speaking environment, low crime rates, and developed infrastructure, a high-quality education and medical system, including international schools and private clinics.
The accelerated residence permit program assumes that the application is reviewed within 2-3 months, there are no complicated bureaucratic procedures, and documents are submitted through an authorized representative. The support of experienced lawyers significantly reduces the risks of refusal and allows you to go through the entire process as efficiently and safely as possible.
How to get status in Cyprus now?
Cyprus used to offer one of the most popular citizenship by investment programs, allowing you to obtain a European citizenship in less than six months. However, the Cypriot citizenship program was closed by government decision in November 2020 and is currently not active.
Important: Any offers of “Cyprus citizenship by investment” are directly incorrect or potentially illegal. The official path is only through the stage of obtaining a permanent residence permit, with the subsequent right to naturalization.
Today, Cyprus offers a legal and transparent way to obtain status: the accelerated Permanent Residency based on real estate investment.
Basic participation conditions to become a Cypriot citizen include:
- Investment of €300,000 in new residential or commercial property from an accredited developer;
- Availability of stable income from abroad (dividends, rent, business);
- Proof of financial solvency and no criminal record;
- Residence in Cyprus is not mandatory, it is enough to visit the country once every two years.
Advantages of the Cyprus citizenship program through real-estate investment include:
- The period for obtaining permanent residence is from 2 to 3 months.
- No Greek language proficiency required.
- Possibility to include in the application: spouse, minor children, children under 25 years of age studying, and parents.
- Official access to EU banking and legal services;
- Possibility to apply for a Cypriot passport in the future.
Although Cyprus does not offer direct citizenship by investment, after 5 years of permanent residence, one can apply for temporary citizenship, and after 7 years, for full citizenship through naturalization.
Our legal team offers full support for the process of obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus and subsequent naturalization: free assessment of your situation and selection of an investment route, verification of the legal purity of real estate and assistance in completing the transaction, preparation and submission of a full package of documents, support at the naturalization stage, consultations on tax optimization, bank residency and opening accounts. We cooperate only with licensed developers and guarantee full transparency of the transaction.. We cooperate only with licensed developers and guarantee full transparency of the transaction.
Conditions for obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus
To become a permanent resident in the Republic of Cyprus under the accelerated procedure, it is necessary to meet several requirements.
The program provides the opportunity to obtain permanent residence for the entire family, including the spouse of the main applicant, children under 18, children from 18 to 25 years old if they are financially dependent on the applicant, are studying full-time at an accredited university, as well as the parents of the applicant or spouse, if each of them provides an additional income of €8,000 per year.
The process of obtaining permanent residence and citizenship of Cyprus
Preliminary Due Diligence Check
Before the procedure begins, an initial legal analysis is carried out, including verification of biographical data and source of income, analysis of compliance with the requirements of permanent residence, confirmation of the absence of criminal records and sanctions, assessment of the possibility of including family members. This stage allows to avoid the risk of refusal at a later stage and to prepare documents in full compliance with the legislation of Cyprus.
Selecting a property
To participate in the permanent residence program, you must invest at least €300,000 in new real estate approved by the Cypriot authorities, residential or commercial (offices, shops, hotels). The purchase can be made remotely, with full legal support. It is possible to purchase two properties from one developer. At this stage, our specialists will help you choose a reliable property and conduct legal due diligence.
Registration of the transaction and filing of the application
After selecting the property, a purchase and sale agreement is concluded and payment is made, a full package of documents is prepared (proof of source of income, certificates of no criminal record, medical documents, copies of passports and birth certificates). The documents are submitted to the Cyprus Immigration Department through an authorized lawyer.
Obtaining permanent residence
The application is reviewed within approximately 2 months from the date of submission. Once approved, a permanent residence permit is issued. Permanent residence permit allows you to live, study and do business in the country.
Compliance with the conditions of stay
To maintain your status and the possibility of applying for citizenship, it is important to maintain your investment in real estate, not have long-term visa violations, visit Cyprus at least once every 2 years, maintain financial solvency and a good reputation.
Obtaining Cypriot citizenship (through naturalization)
After 7 years of legal residence (provided that you have been physically present in the country for at least 5 years and at least 1 year immediately before submitting your application), you can apply for naturalization, i.e. obtain Cypriot citizenship. Key conditions: documented residence in the country (statements, accounts, contracts), respect for local laws and no criminal record, knowledge of the basics of the Greek language and integration into Cypriot society (checked individually).
Our team accompanies clients at all stages of obtaining permanent residence and citizenship in Cyprus: free preliminary assessment of the case, selection of real estate and full transaction support, preparation and verification of all documents, representation of interests in government agencies, consultations on taxation, family law and citizenship, support after obtaining permanent residence and in the naturalization process.
What documents are required?
To acquire citizenship in Cyprus, the main investor must confirm his/her financial solvency, reliability, and compliance with the program criteria. To do this, it is necessary to provide the relevant documents:
- Valid international passport (copy of all pages);
- Certificate of no criminal record from the country of citizenship and from the country of actual residence;
- Documents confirming the source of income and financial independence (tax returns, bank statements, income certificates, or business ownership documents);
- Bank account statement: availability of funds to cover expenses;
- Proof of purchase of real estate (purchase and sale agreement, payment receipts);
- Medical insurance valid in Cyprus;
- Passport size photographs;
- Completed formsMIP1, MIP2 And MIP3(migration forms);
- Proof of residence outside Cyprus (if applicable).
To include each family member, the required documents include:
- Passports of all family members;
- Birth certificates;
- Marriage certificate;
- Certificates of no criminal record (for everyone over 16 years of age);
- Certificate from the educational institution (for student children);
- Documents confirming financial dependence (for adult children and parents);
- Medical insurance;
- Passport size photographs.
All accompanying documents must be translated into English or Greek. Translations must be certified by a notary or an official translator. Documents must not be expired: most certificates are valid for 3-6 months from the date of issue. All submitted data is checked for authenticity, especially sources of income and biographical information.
It is advisable to clarify in advance the requirements of the specific registry and migration department where you plan to submit your application. Do not use scanned copies of poor quality, as they may result in the application being rejected. It is best to prepare the documents under the supervision of a legal specialist familiar with Cypriot procedures.
Our team provides full support to clients under the Cyprus permanent residence program: we conduct a preliminary assessment of chances and requirements, provide detailed instructions on each document, help collect and prepare all necessary certificates, provide official translation and legalization, support clients in matters of citizenship and status extension.
, provide detailed instructions on each document, help collect and prepare all necessary certificates, provide official translation and legalization, support clients in matters of citizenship and status extension.
Taxes, residency and benefits of a Cyprus passport
Cyprus has long established itself as one of the most loyal jurisdictions for tax planning for both individuals and international businesses. One of the key advantages is the absence of tax on dividends and capital gains for tax residents. Income from the sale of securities, including shares and bonds, is also not taxed, and inheritance and gifts in Cyprus are not subject to taxation.
You can obtain tax residence status in just 60 days using the simplified “60-day rule” if you:
- Stay in Cyprus for at least 60 days a year;
- You are not a tax resident of another country;
- You conduct business or work in Cyprus and own local property (rented or owned).
This makes Cyprus particularly attractive to entrepreneurs, investors, and digital nomads. In addition, the income tax rate is progressive and starts from zero. Income up to €19,500 is not taxed, and the maximum rate of 35% applies only to income over €60,000. Cyprus also has double taxation agreements with more than 65 countries.
How can we help you?
Cyprus allows participation in the immigration program only when purchasing new real estate from €300,000, approved by the state. We not only help you choose the best property, but also conduct a full legal check of the developer, the contract and encumbrances. This eliminates the risk of fraud or denial of status.
We organize a turnkey transaction: from the preparation of a preliminary agreement to the registration of ownership. We help with the transfer of funds taking into account currency control and compliance, the preparation of bank confirmations and interaction with the seller.
Legally correct documents are the key to successful submission. We collect and check the full package of papers, including income certificates, translations, apostilles, and photographs. All materials are prepared in strict accordance with the requirements of the Cyprus Immigration Service, which allows us to reduce the processing time and avoid returns.
Our lawyers work directly with the Cyprus Migration Service and support the case until the residence permit is obtained. In case of additional requests, we promptly provide explanations and missing documents.
After 7 years of receiving permanent residence, you will be able to apply for Cypriot citizenship through naturalization. We will advise you in advance on how to correctly form evidence of ties to the island, prepare biographical documents, certificates and accompany the application for a passport.
Our team not only deals with the registration of migration status, but also provides tax support. We will help you become a tax resident of Cyprus in just 60 days, optimize the taxation of business or personal capital, avoid double taxation, and properly structure assets.
Contact our team right now for an initial consultation. We will conduct a free case assessment and offer a customized solution.
FAQ
The Cyprus Direct Citizenship by Investment Program was officially closed in November 2020. However, you can still obtain permanent residence by investing in real estate from €300,000. After 7 years of legal residence in the country, you can apply for citizenship through naturalization.
To obtain Cypriot citizenship by naturalization, you must reside permanently on the island for at least 7 years, including at least 365 days of continuous residence before submitting your application. With Cypriot permanent residence, you are exempt from a number of bureaucratic restrictions and receive a privileged status.
No, Cyprus PR does not require permanent residence. It is enough to visit the country once every two years to maintain the status. This makes the program especially convenient for investors and international entrepreneurs who need to remain mobile.
Yes, the program allows the addition of the main applicant’s parents or his/her spouse to the application, provided that the application is for a property valued at least €600,000. This provides the opportunity to ensure legal status for the entire family within a single investment.
Real estate purchased to obtain permanent residence can be rented out immediately after the registration is completed and the right of ownership is obtained. This makes investments not only an immigration tool, but also a source of income.
The Cyprus Permanent Residence Program is regulated by the state and involves investments only in properties from accredited developers. We conduct a legal review of each transaction to eliminate risks associated with unscrupulous sellers, double sales and other violations.
Permanent residence is granted indefinitely, subject to compliance with all program requirements, including visiting Cyprus at least once every 2 years. This is a secure long-term status that can be used as a stepping stone to EU citizenship.