How to get Cyprus citizenship: all available options in 2024

Four investment options have the same minimal threshold of €300,000:

1. Purchase of residential property — it can only be new, not resale.

2. Purchase of commercial property such as offices, shops, or hotels — it can be both new or for resale.

3. Shares of Cypriot companies — the investor will also need to employ at least 5 people.

4. Purchase of securities.

The most popular option is the purchase of real estate.

Once the investor obtains a permanent residence permit, they don’t have to renew it, as would be the case with a temporary residence permit. However, they need to visit the island every two years to maintain the status and renew their ID card every 10 years.

After holding permanent residence for 8 years, one can submit an application for Cyprus nationality. Before applying for naturalisation, it is necessary to live continuously in the country for at least 12 months.

Examples of investment properties for Cyprus permanent residence

Cyprus, Limassol

€695,000+

Apartments in a residential complex near the sea

78 m²

2

1

Cyprus, Larnaca

€685,000+

Apartments in a residence near the sea

192 m²

4

3

Cyprus, Paphos

€795,000 — €1,060,000

Apartments and villas in a closed residential project near the sea

97 m² — 210 m²

1—3

1—2

To be eligible to obtain Cyprus permanent residency, the investor needs to fulfil several requirements:

• be over 18;

• have no criminal records or prosecutions;

• have no restrictions or bans on entry to the EU or the UK;

• not be under sanctions;

• have impeccable personal and business reputations;

• have a legal income of at least €50,000 per year for the main applicant;

• own or rent accommodation in Cyprus;

• have a medical report and medical insurance.

The investor can also add their close family members to the application. That includes a spouse or a partner and children.

There are no requirements for a spouse and children under 18. However, children under 25 need to study in a university, be unmarried and dependent on the investor. Physically or mentally disadvantaged children can be of any age.

Cypriot citizenship can be obtained by individuals with Cypriot roots. If they were born in Cyprus or have at least one Cypriot parent, they automatically get citizenship by birth.

They can apply for a Consular Birth Certificate if they were born abroad:

• after August 16th 1960, and their father at the time of birth was a Cypriot citizen;

• after June 11th 1999, and their mother was a Cypriot citizen at the time of their birth.

Before August 16th 1960, Cyprus was part of the United Kingdom, and the island’s citizens held UK citizenship. But they can now apply for Cyprus citizenship if they were born before the said date and originate from Cyprus from the male side.

An individual may also apply if they were born before August 16th, 1960, and they are not citizens of the United Kingdom or its former colonies but originate from Cyprus from the male side.

Lastly, the application can be submitted by someone born on or after August 16th 1960, whose parents were not Cypriot citizens at the time of their birth but later obtained citizenship.

The list of documents for the Cypriot nationality application include:

• a birth certificate of the applicant;

• a copy of the applicant’s passport;

• a copy of the applicant’s mother, father, or both passports;

• a marriage certificate of the applicant’s parents, when applicable;

• a certificate of registration of the Cypriot parent, when applicable;

• a copy of the receipt proving payment of the fee.

A foreign spouse of a Cypriot citizen can obtain citizenship by marriage. The Cyprus citizenship requirements are to be married for three years and reside in Cyprus for two years before the application date.

A spouse of a Cypriot citizen living abroad may also apply. In this case, it is necessary to be married for at least three years and to provide a letter explaining why the foreign spouse requires Cypriot citizenship.

If a couple has lived abroad together for at least five years and has a child, they don’t need to explain why they apply for citizenship.

There is a fee of €300 for filing an application.

The required documents are:

• a birth certificate of the applicant;

• a certificate of clean criminal record of the applicant;

• a marriage certificate;

• a birth certificate of the couple’s children, if any;

• a copy of the applicant’s passport;

• a copy of the Cypriot spouse’s passport;

• statement of harmonious cohabitation signed before an Officer of the District Administration Office or the diplomatic authority;

• statement of cohabitation from the local authority;

• a copy of the receipt proving payment of the fee.

A foreigner can obtain Cypriot citizenship by naturalisation if they have legally resided in Cyprus for 8 out of the past 11 years, with permitted absences not exceeding a total of 90 days. It is also required that the individual has lived legally and continuously in the country for 12 months preceding the date of application

Highly qualified individuals employed by a Foreign Interest Company are eligible for a faster naturalisation process. Talented and specialised foreigners can apply for a Cyprus passport after 4 or 5 years of residency, depending on their proficiency in Greek.

To apply after 5 years, qualified foreigners need to demonstrate A2 level proficiency in the Greek language. For those applying after 4 years, a B1 level is required. It is also necessary to earn a minimum of €2,500 per month.

The spouses, civil partners, and adult children of highly qualified individuals may apply after 8 years of residency in Cyprus.

Documents required to apply for Cypriot nationality are the following:

• a birth certificate;

• a certificate of clean criminal record;

• a marriage certificate, if any;

• copies of all the pages of all the applicant’s passports showing their arrivals and departures in Cyprus;

• detailed statement of arrivals and departures;

• copies of newspapers with advertisements stating the applicant’s intent to become a Cyprus citizen;

• two passport-size photos;

• a copy of the receipt proving payment of the fee.

There is a fee of €500 for filing an application, with two stamps of €8.54 affixed to it. If the application is approved, an additional fee of €500 is paid for a naturalisation certificate.

The immigration law of Cyprus doesn’t prohibit the country’s citizens from having dual citizenship. Therefore, a person can get a Cyprus passport without giving up their other passports.

However, the state of the first citizenship might have restrictions for dual citizenship. For example, Austria, China, India, and Saudi Arabia don’t allow citizens to hold several passports simultaneously. This means a citizen of such a country would need to renounce their first citizenship to obtain it in Cyprus.

1. Visa-free travels. Cyprus citizens are allowed to travel to about 168 countries visa-free. The list of countries includes the EU states, the UK, Japan, Canada, and many others.

2. Residing in Cyprus without restrictions. Cypriot citizens can visit the country at any time and stay for as long as they wish without additional permits.

The cost of living in Cyprus is much more affordable than in most European countries and the USA: €1,600—2,000 would be enough for a single person to cover the necessities and rent housing.

3. Living, working, and studying in the EU. Cyprus citizens are allowed to stay in the EU countries for an unlimited period. Some states may require registration at the police station or a migration office, but this is merely a formality.

4. Inheritance. Children of Cyprus citizens obtain citizenship automatically by birth, or they can apply for citizenship by descent.

5. Right to vote. Cyprus citizens can participate in elections in their country and help shape the country’s future.

Cyprus is a well-known tourist attraction with its top-level resorts, exceptionally clean beaches and bathing waters, and many natural and historical sites

Foreigners are considered tax residents in Cyprus if they spend more than 183 days per year in the country. Cyprus citizenship itself does not impose any tax obligations.

Tax residents in Cyprus pay taxes on their local and worldwide income at 20—35% rates, depending on the annual income. Individuals are exempt from the income tax if they earn less than €19,500 per year.

Non-tax residents are only taxed on income received from sources in Cyprus. Non-residents are also exempt from taxes on capital gains, employment income, and VAT.

1. The program allowing people to obtain Cyprus citizenship in exchange for investment was closed on November 1st, 2020.

2. The Cyprus permanent residence by investment program still allows foreigners to become Cyprus permanent residents by investing at least €300,000 and meeting other program requirements. The investor can also add their close family members to the application.

3. Other ways to obtain Cyprus nationality are descent, marriage, and naturalisation. The package of required documents depends on the chosen option.

4. To become a Cypriot citizen by descent, one needs to have Cyprus roots.

5. To apply for citizenship by marriage, it is necessary to be married to a Cypriot citizen for at least 3 years.

6. Foreigners are eligible for Cyprus citizenship by naturalisation if they have lived in Cyprus for at least 8 out of the past 11 years.