Cyprus citizenship in 2026: how to get it
The passport-for-investment programme closed in 2020, and naturalisation takes 8 years out of the last 11 and requires Greek. We cover the three routes, the fees, what an EU passport gives and why permanent residence through property does not speed up citizenship.
In short
- There is no investment programme: citizenship comes after 8 years of living in Cyprus out of the last 11.
- Specialists at foreign interest companies need 4-5 years depending on their level of Greek.
- Spouses of Cypriot citizens can apply after 3 years of marriage and 2 years on the island.
- Fees are about $1,130, and the Russian passport can be kept.
In detail
A Cypriot passport can no longer be bought: the citizenship by investment programme closed in 2020. What remains is naturalisation, and since 2024 the rules have become stricter on language but faster for specialists. The standard route is 8 years of living in Cyprus out of the last 11 and intermediate Greek. In return you get an EU passport, and you may keep your previous one.
How to get Cypriot citizenship in 2026
| Route | Main condition | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation | 8 years of legal residence out of the last 11, the last 12 months without breaks, intermediate Greek | all foreigners with a residence permit |
| Fast-track naturalisation | 4 years with intermediate Greek or 5 years with basic Greek | specialists at foreign interest companies |
| Marriage to a Cypriot citizen | 3 years of marriage and 2 years of legal residence in Cyprus | spouses and partners of Cypriot citizens |
In the 12 months before applying you may be away from the island for no more than 90 days in total. Besides language, the candidate passes an exam on Cyprus's contemporary political and social life and shows housing, stable income and an intention to live in the country.
The fast track was added to the law at the end of 2023 for highly skilled employees of foreign interest companies. It is much shorter than the standard route, but language is still required: an exam at basic level allows an application after 5 years, at intermediate level after 4.
How much Cypriot citizenship costs
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Naturalisation application | ~$565 |
| Citizenship certificate after approval | ~$565 |
| Total for naturalisation | ~$1,130 |
| Application by marriage | ~$340 |
By law a naturalisation application is decided within 8 months. What takes longest is not the fees or the wait, but the years of living on the island and preparing for the Greek exam.
Fees are $1,130, but a year that does not count is expensive
The law does not forbid applying for Cypriot citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: trips that break the continuity of the last 12 months, years on a basis that does not count, a Greek exam without preparation, an incomplete file on income and housing. We count your years on the island from entry and exit dates, choose the route - standard, the fast track for specialists or marriage - and see the application through to a decision.
The cost of support depends on the route and your family; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
What a Cypriot passport gives
A Cypriot citizen is an EU citizen and lives, works and studies in any member state without visas or permits. A Cypriot passport gives entry without a prior visa to 175 of 227 countries and territories, 61 more than the Russian one. The UK and Canada require an electronic travel authorisation, and the USA a visa.
Cyprus allows dual citizenship, so the Russian passport can be kept. The Russian Interior Ministry must be notified of the second citizenship within 60 days.
Does permanent residence by investment speed up citizenship
No. Permanent residence for buying property gives the right to live on the island, but years towards citizenship count by actual life in Cyprus, not by how long you have held the card. Someone who bought a flat and spends a couple of months a year on the island gets no closer to a passport.
A residence permit is, however, the mandatory first step. The options are on the pages Cyprus residence permit and Cyprus permanent residence by investment, and buying a home is covered in Cyprus permanent residence through property. The fast track for specialists starts with a job at a foreign interest company: how to set one up is in registering a company in Cyprus, and residents' taxes are on the page taxes in Cyprus.
How we help
Cyprus residence permit
A basis for living on the island: visitor, employment, remote work.
Learn more →Cyprus permanent residence by investment
Permanent residence for the family through buying property.
Learn more →Company in Cyprus
A foreign interest company and residence for its director and staff.
Learn more →We will map your route to a Cypriot passport. Tell us how many years you have lived in Cyprus, on what basis and where you work. We will show when you can apply and what to prepare in advance.
FAQ
How many years do you need to live in Cyprus for citizenship?
Can you buy Cypriot citizenship?
Can you keep Russian citizenship when getting a Cypriot one?
How much does Cypriot citizenship cost?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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