1.    Citizenship and Naturalisation 

Naturalisation Based on Years of Residence 
For any person who is interested in obtaining a Cyprus passport based on years of residence in Cyprus, it is important to be able to meet the below criteria:
1.    Reside legally in Cyprus for seven consecutive years prior to the application. 
2.    Reside in Cyprus for at least 6 months in Cyprus per year.
3.    The year preceding the submission of your application (seventh year) the applicant must continuously reside in Cyprus for the entire year (i.e. 365 days). The applicant is only allowed to exit Cyprus for medical or business-related reasons. The maximum number of days abroad is 90 for that year.

Naturalisation as a Spouse of a Cypriot Citizen
For any person who is interested in obtaining a Cyprus passport as a spouse of Cypriot national it is important to be able to meet the below criteria:

A.    For applicants that reside in Cyprus
Complete three years of marriage and two years of residence in the Republic prior to the date of application.
B.    For applicants that reside abroad
Complete at least three years of marriage. These applications must additionally be accompanied by a letter from the couple stating the reasons for requesting the grant of the Cypriot citizenship to the foreign spouse. 
If the couple has completed at least five years of marriage and has at least one child, it is not necessary to attach the letter.

Citizenship Due to Cypriot Origins
There are different application categories based on the year and place of birth of the applicant as well as the way that applicant’s parents received their citizenship. 

3. Third Country Nationals long term residency permits

a. Categories A-F

b. Permanent Residence Permit (Regulation 6.2) – Accelerated Procedure
The accelerated procedure for the Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) applies to third country nationals and their family members who wish to have the option to permanently reside in Cyprus and even be able to apply for a Cyprus passport based on the years of stay.

The procedure of obtaining the PRP is simple and fast. The applicant should satisfy one the following investment options:

INVESTMENT OPTIONS:

Disposal of an investment without its immediate replacement shall result in the cancellation of the Permanent Residence Permit. 

A.    INVESTMENT IN A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Purchase of a residential property of a minimum market value of €300.000 plus VAT and proof of payment of at least €200.000 plus VAT.
Additionally, the applicant must show a steady annual income of at least €30.000. This amount is increased by €5.000 for each family member and by €8.000 for each dependent parent of the applicant or applicant’s spouse.  Such income must derive exclusively from abroad. Both applicant and applicant’s spouse income is taken into account. 
The applicant and/or their spouse can be shareholders of a Cyprus company and receive dividends. They may also hold the position of Director in such company, without remuneration.

B.    INVESTMENT IN ANY OTHER KIND OF REAL ESTATE PROPERTY 
Purchase of offices/shops/hotel or similar developments or combination of these with a total value of €300.000. These properties can be acquired through resale/repurchase. 
Additionally, the applicant must show a steady annual income of at least €30.000. This amount is increased by €5.000 for each family member and by €8.000 for each dependent parent of the applicant or applicant’s spouse.  Such income may derive both from abroad and Cyprus. Both applicant and applicant’s spouse income is taken into account. 
The applicant must show proof of residence (i.e. title deed or contract of sale of a residential property or rental agreement).
The applicant and/or their spouse can be shareholders of a Cyprus company and receive dividends. They may also hold the position of Director in such company, without remuneration.

C.    INVESTMENT IN THE SHARE CAPITAL OF A CYPRUS COMPANY
A minimum of €300.000 in a company registered in Cyprus. The company must operate in Cyprus, have physical office and employ at least five employees.
Additionally, the applicant must show a steady annual income of at least €30.000. This amount is increased by €5.000 for each family member and by €8.000 for each dependent parent of the applicant or applicant’s spouse.  Such income may derive both from abroad and Cyprus. Both applicant and applicant’s spouse income is taken into account. 
The applicant must show proof of residence (i.e. title deed or contract of sale of a residential property or rental agreement).
The applicant and/or their spouse can be directors (with remuneration) of the company they have invested. 

D.    INVESTMENT IN SHARES OF A CYPRUS MUTUAL FUND (AIF, AIFLNP, RAIF)
A minimum of €300.000 investment in Cyprus Mutual Fund.
Additionally, the applicant must show a steady annual income of at least €30.000. This amount is increased by €5.000 for each family member and by €8.000 for each dependent parent of the applicant or applicant’s spouse.  Such income may derive both from abroad and Cyprus. Both applicant and applicant’s spouse income is taken into account. 
The applicant must show proof of residence (i.e. title deed or contract of sale of a residential property or rental agreement).
The applicant and/or their spouse can be shareholders of a Cyprus company and receive dividends. They may also hold the position of Director in such company, without remuneration.

APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT:
a)    Criminal Record Certificate which must be issued by the Authorities in the country of origin.
b)    Copy of valid passport.
c)    Copy of valid temporary residence permit (if the applicant resides in Cyprus)
d)    Curriculum Vitae (including academic qualifications)

OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES:    
1.    Spouse of the applicant is entitled to apply simultaneously with the applicant for the acquisition of the PRP. 
2.    Children 
2.1    Under the age of eighteen are eligible to apply for PRP simultaneously with the applicant. 
2.2    Over the age of eighteen.  
Unmarried children aged between 18 and 25, who may prove that they are students or undergraduates and are financially dependent on the applicant, may submit a separate application to obtain a PRP. In such a case, the father or mother and/or both parents together must show an additional annual income of €5.000 for every such dependent child. The said permit is still valid even if the holders have exceeded the age of 25 years old and even if they do not remain unmarried and/or students and/or financially dependent on their parents. Future spouses or underage children cannot be included as dependent persons on this permit.

If children wish to study in an institution of tertiary education in the Republic, they have to submit through the institution an application for acquisition of a temporary residence permit in the Republic as students, according to the provisions of the relevant legislation (EU Directive). After the completion of their studies in the Republic, these children regardless of their age, will be able to submit their own application to obtain an Immigration Permit, with the condition that their parents show only an additional annual income of €5.000 for every such child.

2.3    Over the age of eighteen that are not financially dependent. 
The market value of the €300.000 investment should be multiplied by the number of the adult children, who will invoke the same investment for the purpose of obtaining the PRP. For example, in case the applicant has an adult child he should make an investment worth € 600.000, if he has two adult children the value of the investment should amount to € 900.000, etc.
In case the investment will concern the real estate market, i.e. where the applicant chooses to invest to Investment Option A or B, proof of payment of at least 66% of the market value must be submitted.
It is understood that, in such a case, each adult child will be able to prove that he has at his disposal an insured annual income of at least € 30.000, which will increase by € 5.000 for each dependent. 
In addition, it is noted that the investment can be made jointly in the name of the applicant and the adult child or exclusively in the name of the applicant.

GENERAL NOTES:
•    The applicant and the family members should visit Cyprus at least once every two years.
•    The application can be submitted by a representative while the applicant and family members reside abroad. 
•    The applicant and family members should visit Cyprus within the first year from the approval date for the provision of biometric data.
•    The anticipated processing time by the Civil Registry and Migration Department following submission of the application is two - three months.

3. European Union Citizen and Family Members

a. European Union Citizens 
The applicant will have to submit the application for registration at the Migration Authorities within the first four months form his entry to Cyprus. 
Depending on the status of each European citizen, (i.e. employee, self-employee, pensioner) there is a different procedure to be followed and suite of documents to be submitted.
Although the main procedure is not complicated, local District Offices may have different or additional requests with respect to the procedure. It is therefore encouraged to seek independent advice on the relevant requirements when applying.

b. Family members for the European Citizens who are third country nationals
The applicant will have to submit the application for registration at the Migration Authorities within the first four months form his entry to Cyprus.  
Depending on the status of each applicant, (i.e. dependant spouse, dependant parents, children) there is a different procedure to be followed and suite of documents to be submitted.
The registration can take place simultaneously with the registration of the European Union Citizen or later. 
Although the main procedure is not complicated, local District Offices may have different or additional requests with respect to the procedure. It is therefore encouraged to seek independent advice on the relevant requirements when applying.

c. Permanent Residence Permit of European Citizens and their family members 
European Union Citizen who wishes to receive the permanent residence certificate can apply following a five-year period of uninterrupted legal residence in the Republic of Cyprus. The validity of the residency shall not be affected by temporary absences not exceeding six months in a year, or by absences of a longer duration for compulsory military service or by one absence of a maximum of 12 consecutive months for important reasons such as pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, study or vocational training, or a posting in another Member State or a third country.

Family members who are not E.U. nationals are able to apply within one month after the expiration of validity of their Temporary Residence Card.

GENERAL NOTES:
•    The residence certificate for E.U. citizens once acquired, shall be revoked only through absence from the Republic of Cyprus for a period exceeding two consecutive years.
•    The Republic of Cyprus shall issue to any family members who are not citizens of a Member State entitled to permanent residence, a Permanent Residence Card valid for 10 years; which shall be renewable automatically every 10 years from the date of issue, upon request of the person concerned.

2. Third Country Nationals Residency Permits

a. Employment Permit for non E.U. Nationals

1.    Eligible businesses:
•    Cyprus of foreign interests’ companies. For a company to employ non E.U. nationals it must be a Cyprus company of foreign interests. A company is considered to be of foreign interests when the majority of the company’s shareholders are non-E.U. nationals. In the case of shareholders whose beneficial owners are foreign companies, evidence of identity of ultimate beneficial owner/s should be submitted with the Authorities.
•    Public companies registered on any recognised stock exchange.
•    Companies of international activities (formerly off-shore), which operated before the change of regime, whose data are held by the Central Bank of Cyprus.
•    Cypriot shipping companies.
•    Cypriot high-tech/innovation companies.  An enterprise qualifies as ‘High Technology Company’ if:
(a) it is already established and has a presence in the market, and
(b) it has a high level or experimental R&D intensity, and
(c) it developed product/s that fall into one of the following categories: products related to aviation and space industry, computers, electronic and telecommunication products, pharmaceuticals, biomedical, research and development equipment, electrical machinery, chemicals, non-electrical machinery.
•    Cypriot pharmaceutical companies or Cypriot companies active in the fields of biogenetics and biotechnology.
•    Companies of whom the majority of the total share capital is owned by persons who have acquired Cypriot citizenship by naturalization based on economic criteria, provided that they prove that the conditions under which they were naturalized continue to be met.

2.    Conditions:
a.    The company should operate from their self-contained offices in Cyprus, which should be located in suitable distinct premises, not part of a private residence or another office, except from cases of companies that share lodging.
b.    The company will have to apply for an approval and provide, between others, the following: 
i.    Constitutional documents 
ii.    Profile describing the nature of the company’s business and activities 
iii.    Documents evidencing the chain of ownership
iv.    Title deed or rental agreement of their office premises 

The necessary registrations for the establishment of the company will be completed within seven (7) working days from the date of submission of all the necessary documents.

3.    Employees:

A non E.U. national, subject to the relevant qualifications and experience, can be employed based on the following criteria:

i.    The minimum acceptable monthly gross salary is €2500.
ii.    Minimum Employment duration is two years.
iii.    Applicant must be at least 24 years old with suitable qualifications evidenced by relevant documentation or with minimum professional experience of two years to similar to the position offered. 

GENERAL NOTES:
•    The registration of the first employee can take place only following the approval and registration of the company at the Migration Authorities. 
•    The employment permit for non-E.U. nationals is issued for a maximum of two years and may be renewed at such intervals indefinitely.
•    The company, subject to its annual turnover and business activities, should comply with the following split: 30% Europeans and 70% third country nationals as from the beginning of 2026. 
•    List of documents for company and personnel may be provided upon request.

b. General Employment
c. Intra-corporate Transfer
d. Start-up Employment Permit
e. Family Reunification Permit
f. Visitors Permit

Visitor permit is issued for persons who wish to reside in Cyprus for longer than 3 months and are not allowed to be engaged in any business in Cyprus. The minimum annual income from abroad is €10.000 for the main applicant and €5.000 for each dependent person to be proved.
The main applicant will have to have a Cyprus bank account where the annual income form abroad is credited.   

For the submission of the application the presence of the applicant and applicant’s family members is required and as of the day of submission they be allowed to reside in Cyprus until the review of the application and finally the issuance of the card (visitor residence permit).  

Although the main procedure is not complicated, local District Offices may have different or additional requests with respect to the procedure. It is therefore encouraged to seek independent advice on the relevant requirements when applying.