How to get permanent residency in Cyprus by investment

Legal basis for permanent residence

To get Cyprus permanent residence, an investor has to complete one of four options:

• Buying new-build residential property worth from $340,000.
• Buying new-build or resale non-residential property worth from $340,000.
• Buying a stake in a new Cypriot company for $340,000 or more, or increasing the share capital of an existing company to $340,000.
• Buying units in private investment funds for $340,000 or more.

How Cyprus investment permanent residence works

Fast-track permanent residence is issued by the Civil Registry and Migration Department under Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations. The status is permanent and needs no renewal, but the holder must visit Cyprus at least once every 2 years. Holders may not take employment in Cyprus but can own a Cypriot company and receive dividends.

You must invest at least $340,000 excluding VAT in one of four asset types, with funds coming from abroad.

• New homes - first sale from a developer, one or two units.
• Other real estate - offices, shops, hotel units, new or resale.
• Shares in a Cypriot company - capital in a company operating in Cyprus with at least five staff.
• Units in a Cypriot investment fund - registered with the Cypriot regulator.

Income requirements

Besides the investment you need secure annual income from abroad: at least $57,000 for the main applicant, another $17,000 for the spouse and $12,000 for each minor child. Salary, pension, dividends, interest and rent all count, evidenced by tax returns or statements from the country where the income is taxed.

• Who can be included - spouse and minor children; adult children up to 25 if studying and dependent.
• Parents - parents and parents-in-law cannot be included.

What it costs in 2026

• Investment - from $340,000 excluding VAT, paid in full to the developer before filing, with receipts attached.
• VAT on new homes - 19%; the reduced 5% rate applies only to a main residence meeting size and price conditions.
• Transfer fees - not payable on a purchase subject to VAT.
• Stamp duty on the contract - 0.15% up to $120,000 and 0.2% above, capped at $23,000.
• Certificates and translations - police clearances, certificates, health insurance, Greek or English translation and legalisation.
• Our support - quoted after a consultation, depending on the asset and family size.

We calculate the total for your family in the chat.

Steps and timeline

1. Check - 1-2 weeks: income, source of funds, family, choice of asset.
2. Choosing the property or company and checking the developer, building permits and land title.
3. Contract and payment - at least $340,000 excluding VAT, from abroad to the developer's account, contract registered with the Land Registry.
4. Documents - 2-4 weeks: police clearances, proof of income, insurance, translations.
5. Filing with the Civil Registry and Migration Department and biometrics in Cyprus.
6. Decision - about 2 months under the rules, often longer in practice.
7. Residence card for each family member.

Documents

• Passport and photos.
• Police clearance from the countries of citizenship and residence, apostilled and translated.
• Sale agreement, payment receipts, proof that funds came from abroad.
• Proof of income - tax returns, salary, pension or dividend certificates.
• Health insurance for all family members.
• Marriage and children's birth certificates, and for students aged 18-25 a study certificate.

Requirements and how to get approved

• Funds not from abroad - the investment must come from a foreign account.
• Income below the threshold or not backed by tax documents.
• Resale home - for residential property only a first sale from a developer qualifies.
• Incomplete payment - the investment and VAT must be paid before filing.
• Employment in Cyprus or long absence - breaching the conditions leads to revocation.

Taxes after the 2026 reform

• Corporate tax - 15% from 1 January 2026 instead of 12.5%; deemed dividend distribution rules are abolished.
• Income tax - the tax-free threshold rose to $25,000, top rates up to 35%.
• Non-domiciled residents pay no special defence contribution on dividends, interest and capital gains for 17 years.
• 60-day rule - from 2026 you can become Cyprus tax resident under it even if another country also treats you as resident; conflicts are resolved under the double tax treaty.

More: Cyprus taxes.

Path to citizenship

Citizenship by naturalisation requires lawful residence: 12 continuous months before applying, with absences of no more than 90 days, and at least 7 years in the preceding 10, about 8 years in total. Greek at B1 level and basic knowledge of Cyprus are required. A 3-5 year fast track exists only for highly skilled employees of companies on a government-approved list.

What to know about travel

Cyprus is in the European Union but not in Schengen. A Cypriot residence permit gives no right to enter Schengen countries: you need a Schengen visa. The former rule under which Bulgaria and Romania admitted holders of Cypriot documents stopped applying on 1 January 2025, when both countries fully joined Schengen.

Buying from a developer: what to check

• Title deed - in Cyprus it can take years after completion. The buyer is protected by registering the sale agreement with the Land Registry: after that the unit cannot be sold twice or mortgaged without your consent.
• Developer's mortgage - if the land or project is mortgaged to a bank, you need the bank's release of your unit once paid.
• Permits - building permit and site plan, compliance with the approved design.
• Payment from abroad - funds must reach the developer from a foreign account, otherwise the migration service will not count the investment.
• VAT - who pays it and at what rate is set in the contract.

Life in Cyprus: what to know

• Languages - Greek and Turkish are official; English is widely used in business, banks and government.
• Currency - the euro.
• Healthcare - the state health system for tax residents funded by income contributions, alongside private clinics; health insurance is required for the permanent residence application.
• Schools - public in Greek and many private international schools in English, especially in Limassol and Nicosia.
• Business environment - Cyprus has many international companies, accountants and lawyers working in English, which makes running your company easier.
• Bank - you need a local account for living and investing: personal account in Cyprus.

Alternatives to compare

• Greek investment residence - a golden visa with visa-free travel in Schengen.
• Malta residence - permanent residence in a Schengen country, higher threshold.
• Property in Cyprus - purchase rules and costs in detail.

How we work

1. We check income and source of funds before the purchase.
2. We find the property or company and check the developer.
3. We support the contract, payment from abroad and registration.
4. We collect, translate and file documents and arrange biometrics.
5. We help with tax residence and non-dom status.

We fix our fee in writing after a consultation.

Benefits of Cyprus permanent residence

How to get Cyprus permanent residence: step by step

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