Residence by investment in CyprusOverview
Cyprus's fast-track permanent residence procedure allows a non-EU investor to obtain an immigration permit under Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations, usually within a few months of a complete application. The Ministry of Interior revised the policy in 2023: residential property must now be newly built and bought directly from a developer, the qualifying income must come from abroad, and parents and parents-in-law are no longer included as dependants of the main applicant.
The investment of at least €300,000 can be made in new residential property, in commercial real estate such as offices, shops or hotels, in the share capital of a Cypriot company with real operations and at least five employees, or in units of a Cypriot collective investment organisation. Property purchases must be paid in full, without mortgage finance, and VAT applies to new-build property. Separately, the applicant must prove a secure annual income from abroad of at least €50,000, increased by €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 for each minor child.
Permanent residence does not require living in Cyprus, but the holder must visit at least once every two years to keep the permit. Naturalisation requires genuine physical residence: following 2023 amendments to the Civil Registry Law, applicants generally need around eight years of legal residence, a continuous final year in Cyprus, B1 Greek and a knowledge test on Cypriot life. Cyprus no longer offers citizenship by investment.
Tax is often the deciding factor. An individual becomes Cypriot tax resident by spending more than 183 days in Cyprus, or by meeting the 60-day rule, which requires at least 60 days on the island, a permanent home there and a Cypriot business, employment or directorship. Resident non-domiciled individuals pay no special defence contribution on dividends and interest for up to seventeen years, subject only to the national health contribution. The tax reform effective from 1 January 2026 (Laws 244(I)/2025 and 245(I)/2025) kept these benefits, cut the dividend rate for domiciled residents to 5%, and introduced an optional €250,000 lump-sum regime for individuals who become deemed domiciled after seventeen years.
Key benefits
- Permanent residence status for the whole family, not a temporary permit
- A single investment of €300,000 across several asset types
- Minimal presence requirement: one visit every two years
- Access to the non-dom regime, with no special defence contribution on dividends and interest for up to 17 years
- Tax residence possible in as little as 60 days a year under the 60-day rule
- No inheritance tax and no wealth tax in Cyprus
- Children remain covered as dependants up to age 25 while in education
Requirements
- Non-EU national aged 18 or over
- Investment of at least €300,000 in a qualifying asset, paid in full from funds transferred from abroad
- Residential property purchases limited to new property bought from a developer
- Secured annual income from abroad of €50,000, plus €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per child
- Clean criminal record from the country of origin and residence
- Health insurance covering inpatient and outpatient care
- Declaration that the applicant does not intend to work in Cyprus, other than as a shareholder or director of an investee company
- Visit to Cyprus at least once every two years after the permit is granted
Investment options
New residential property
€300,000 + VAT
One or two new residential units bought from a developer, paid in full. The reduced 5% VAT rate is limited to qualifying primary residences.
Commercial real estate
€300,000
Offices, shops, hotels or similar commercial property; resale property is permitted for this category.
Cypriot company shares
€300,000
Share capital in a Cypriot company with operations and a physical presence in Cyprus and at least five employees.
Collective investment fund
€300,000
Units in a Cypriot alternative investment fund, AIF with limited number of persons or registered AIF, regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Planning and tax review
We assess the family's income evidence, choice of asset and intended tax residence, including whether the non-dom regime and 60-day rule are relevant.
- 2
Asset due diligence
Independent lawyers check title, developer status, planning permits and VAT treatment, or fund and company documentation.
- 3
Complete the investment
The investment is made from abroad and evidenced by contracts, stamped by the tax department and supported by bank confirmations.
- 4
Submit the application
The application is filed with the Civil Registry and Migration Department with income evidence, criminal records and insurance.
- 5
Approval and permit
Once approved, the family attends biometrics and receives the immigration permit, which is recorded in the passport or a residence card.
- 6
Ongoing compliance
The investment and income must be maintained, and the holder must visit Cyprus at least every two years.
Typical documents
- Valid passports and photographs for all applicants
- Criminal record certificates, apostilled and translated
- Sale contract or share or fund documentation, with proof of payment
- Bank statements showing the transfer of funds from abroad
- Evidence of secured annual income, such as salary, pension, dividend or rental statements
- Health insurance policy
- Marriage and birth certificates for dependants
- Proof of education and dependency for children aged 18 to 25
- Source of wealth documentation
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth helps families decide whether Cypriot permanent residence suits their plans and, if so, how to combine it with tax residence, company substance and succession arrangements. We coordinate with independent Cypriot lawyers and tax advisers, review developers and assets carefully, and prepare clear income and source-of-wealth evidence for the Ministry of Interior. Engagements are handled discreetly, with a compliance-first approach to both immigration and tax.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
Does Cyprus permanent residence give Schengen access?
No. Cyprus is in the EU but not yet in the Schengen Area, so the Cypriot permit does not by itself allow visa-free travel in Schengen states.
Can I buy a resale apartment?
Not for residential property. Since 2023 qualifying residential property must be new and bought from a developer. Commercial property may be resale.
How often do I need to visit?
At least once every two years. Living in Cyprus is not required to keep the permit.
What did the 2026 tax reform change?
From 1 January 2026, non-dom benefits were kept, the dividend defence contribution for domiciled residents fell to 5%, the 60-day rule was relaxed, and a €250,000 five-year lump-sum option was introduced for long-term residents who become deemed domiciled.
Can my parents be included?
No longer as dependants of the main applicant. Since 2023, the family covers the spouse, minor children and unmarried dependent children up to 25 in education.
Does the permit lead to citizenship?
Only through ordinary naturalisation, which requires genuine residence of around eight years, B1 Greek and a knowledge test. There is no citizenship by investment.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
