Our firm provides assistance when non-EU citizens are to be employed in executive positions with companies belonging to foreign interests, guiding them through the special procedures leading to the grant of the relevant work and residency permits, as well as family reunion permits for their dependants. We also assist EU employees in registering and obtaining their permits, albeit under a more simplified procedure.

Our involvement in immigration law and procedures extends to applications for permanent residency, either for pensioners or for clients who are entitled to apply for long-term residency permits. Furthermore, we have extensive experience in applying for Cyprus citizenship for those who are eligible, including applications made under the Cyprus Investment Programme set by the Council of Ministers.

The Cyprus Golden Visa is a program that enables foreign investors to obtain permanent residence in Cyprus by purchasing assets worth €300,000 and demonstrating an annual income of at least €50,000. After living in the country for eight years, investors can apply for citizenship.

The citizenship by investment program, also known as the “golden passport program,” was discontinued in November 2020.

Cyprus is a significant business and maritime centre in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is also a thriving member state of the European Union (EU). In this guide, you will find information, criteria, process and other requirements for obtaining the Cyprus Golden Visa. You will also read about the benefits you might expect when living in Cyprus.

 

Key takeaways

• The program grants the applicant, their spouse, and underage children the right to reside in the Republic permanently.
• An individual with a Cyprus Golden visa can apply for citizenship after residing in Cyprus for 8 years within a 10-year timeframe.
• The family members covered, upon conditions, are only the applicant’s spouse and children.
• The applicant must meet specific income and personal criteria to be eligible for permanent residency in Cyprus.
• With limited exceptions, the Golden visa does not give the applicant the right to work.
• The applicant must verify specific criteria annually and every three years, as outlined below.

 

Cyprus Golden Visa requirements in 2025

In 2025, the requirements are a minimum investment of at least €300,000, an annual income of at least €50,000, and a clear criminal record. The Migration Department must also verify annually that you maintain the investment and that your criminal records are up to date every three years.

 

• Minimum investment

To obtain the Cyprus Golden Visa in 2025, the applicant must invest a minimum of €300,000 in property or funds.

         This investment can be made in one of three ways:

1. New residential property bought from a developer or developing company. Golden Visa real estate investment can be a house, a flat, or two properties. The investment can also be in commercial property like offices, which can be resale. In both cases, the applicant must demonstrate that they have paid the full amount and that the funds originated from abroad. It is not possible to pay with money from sources within Cyprus or borrowed from within Cyprus.

2. Shares in a company registered and located in Cyprus, employing at least five (5) people.

3. Units in the Cyprus Investment Funds Association collective investments (AIF, AFLNP, RAIF).

 

• Income requirement

The applicant must demonstrate a secure annual income of €50,000 from abroad, after tax.

If the applicant wishes to bring their spouse, the annual income is increased by €15,000; the spouse’s income can also be taken into account towards this amount.

The residence permit can also cover underage or dependent children, but the income is increased by €10,000 for each child.

 

• Personal requirements

The applicant and their spouse must have a clear criminal record from their country of origin or residence and maintain a clear criminal record in Cyprus.

Need to verify:

There are specific verification requirements related to the investor’s visa.

 Every year (annually), you should submit the following:

1. Evidence that you maintain the investment and
2. Health insurance certificate for yourself and your family (in case you are not GESY beneficiaries).

Every three years, you should submit the following:

A clean criminal record for yourself and your family from your country of origin and residence.

The requirement to submit annual proof of meeting the necessary income level has been abolished.

However, you must not:

• Acquire permanent residence abroad, or
• Absent yourself from Cyprus for two years.

In either case, you lose the right to permanent residence.

Visit to Cyprus

The permanent residence holder must personally visit Cyprus at least once every two years.

Cyprus Golden Visa costs

The costs associated with the investment visa are as follows:

• A minimum investment of €300,000 (plus VAT of 19% or 5%, if applicable).
• A government fee of €500 for the visa application, which covers the investor, their spouse, and any minor children. For adult children, an additional fee of €500 each is required.
• A registration charge of €70 per person for their ARC card.
• A legal fee of €3000 for a single applicant and €3,500 for a family.

 

The right to work

There is a minimal right to work under the Cyprus golden visa.

The applicant and their spouse can work as directors in the company in which they have invested €300,000.

Moreover, the applicant and their spouse can own shares in companies registered in Cyprus and receive dividend income from them.

Finally, the applicant and their spouse can act as unpaid directors in the companies registered in Cyprus where they own shares.

 

The rules about parents and parents-in-law

Under the new policy, the golden visa no longer covers the parents and parents-in-law of the applicant and their spouse.

 

The rules about children

The golden visa has generous rules, allowing the applicant to enjoy family life in Cyprus’s safe and pro-family environment.

The Cyprus Golden Visa scheme covers underage children.

Children between the ages of 18 and 25 are covered, provided they:

• Are students in a Cyprus tertiary education institution;
• Are unmarried;
• Bring documents to prove student status;
• Apply separately for a student visa;
• The parents satisfy the income requirements.

When the children complete their studies, they can apply for permanent residence, provided their parents demonstrate that they continue to have an additional annual income of €10,000 for each child.

This investment visa will remain valid even if the child marries or ceases to be financially dependent on their parents. However, the permit will not cover the child’s spouse or child(ren).

Can an investor include an adult, not financially dependent, child, on the golden visa for Cyprus?

Yes. However, in such a case, the investment amount is multiplied by the number of children. For example, one child will increase the required investment to €600,000.

How to obtain Cyprus citizenship

An individual with a Cyprus Golden visa can apply for citizenship after residing in Cyprus for a total of 8 years within a 10-year period. In the final year leading up to the application, the individual must remain in Cyprus consistently, though brief departures are permissible.

Read more about Cypriot citizenship by years of residence - APPENDIX A

 

Processing time for an investment visa

The Minister of the Interior will review the application, and the process is expected to take about 2 to 3 months, according to the government website. However, in 2025, the actual process takes approximately 6 months.

Within one year of approval, applicants must visit Cyprus and submit their biometric data to obtain residence cards, which are issued about 30 days later.

 

Golden Visa benefits

Cyprus Golden Visa program offers several advantages for non-EU nationals:

• It grants the principal applicant, their spouse, and dependent children the right to reside permanently in Cyprus.
• It permits investment in a stable EU economy with a secure legal framework for property rights.
• It establishes a pathway towards eligibility for Cypriot citizenship after fulfilling the residency duration requirements (8 years within a 10-year period).
• Holders need only visit Cyprus once every two years to maintain their status.
• Permit holders may become tax residents by fulfilling the physical presence requirements and potentially benefit from Cyprus's tax environment.

 

Tax benefits of living in Cyprus

Permanent residence in Cyprus offers certain benefits, such as low personal and corporate tax rates (12,5% for companies, among the lowest in Europe).

Anyone who spends 183 days or more in Cyprus is classified as a tax resident and is subject to taxation on their worldwide income. The benefits of being a tax resident in Cyprus – APPENDIX B include:

• no tax on income from dividends, interest, or other sources (there are exceptions for capital gains),
• no inheritance tax,
• no gift tax,
• no wealth tax,
• no immovable property tax.

Read more about Taxes in Cyprus - APPENDIX C

 

Is investing in Cyprus a good idea?

Investing falls into two broad categories: real estate and business. In both cases, investing in Cyprus appears to be a sound decision.

Investment options for the investor immigration permit

The data indicates that real estate remains a safe investment option. The RICS Cyprus Property Index for the fourth quarter of 2024 indicates that residential property prices have risen. Apartments have seen the highest year-on-year (YoY) increase at 3,39%, while houses show a 0,95% increase.

Read more about the Cyprus real estate market trends – APPENDIX D

The outlook for the economy and investing generally looks good. "Growth has been robust, albeit with some signs of moderate overheating. Last year (2024), growth of 3.4 percent was among the highest in the euro area, supported by strong export of services and consumption." (IMF Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission, March 28, 2025)

"Looking ahead, based on March 2025 projections of the Central Bank of Cyprus, GDP is expected to continue to grow robustly at around 3% per year over 2025-2027." (Speech by the Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus, April 7, 2025)

Internally, the BFU (Business Facilitation Unit), with its “One-Stop Shop” structure, provides efficient business registration to eligible foreign investors and other easements - APPENDIX E

The Cyprus government is implementing the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for 2021-2026; the EU has allocated €1,2 billion to Cyprus to strengthen the economy, growth and welfare.

Our services

Visit our office or contact us for expert advice and assistance with the application process. Our team of experienced immigration and property lawyers will tell you about your prospects for success and aid you at every step.

Acquisition of Cypriot Citizenship By Naturalization (Due to years of residence)
(form M127)

Cypriot Citizens   |   Information

 

As of 19 December 2023, the Civil Registry (Amendment) Law of 2023 has come into force, according to the provisions of which adult individuals intending to apply for Cypriot citizenship by naturalization must cumulatively meet the following qualifications:

(a) Legal and continuous residence for 12 months immediately before the date of application submission. Periods of absence not exceeding a total of 90 days do not interrupt the mentioned time period.

(b) During the immediately preceding 10 years from the 12-month period, the applicant must have a legal residence for cumulative periods not less than 7 years. 

(c) Good character.

(d) Sufficient knowledge of the Greek language at the B1 level.

(e) Sufficient knowledge of the basic elements of the contemporary political and social reality of Cyprus

(f) Suitable accommodation and stable and regular financial resources, sufficient for the maintenance of themselves and their family members.

(g) Intention to reside in the Republic.

Proof for (d) A Certificate of Success in a Greek language   at the B1 level as defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the Council of Europe. This certificate can be obtained after the Greek Language Certification Examinations conducted by the Greek Language Centre of the Hellenic Republic through the Examination Service of the Directorate of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth or a certificate from the School of Modern Greek of the University of Cyprus.

Exception: Holders of a high school diploma from a recognized Secondary Education Institution whose main language of instruction is Greek, or holders of an academic degree in a program whose language of instruction is Greek are excluded from this obligation.

Proof for (e) A Certificate of Success with a grade equal to or greater than 60% in an evaluation examination of the Basic Elements of the Contemporary Political and Social Reality of Cyprus, conducted by the Examination Service of the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth.

The Certificates of Success from the examinations conducted by the Examination Service of the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth in July 2023 and February 2024 can be accepted for application purposes. For the Certificates of Success from the July 2023 examinations that do not state a grade, interested parties can request their exact grade by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., the Examination Service of the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth.

Proof for (f) Title deed, purchase agreement and payment receipts, rental agreement and rent payment receipts, and utility bill payment receipts.

Payroll evidence, employment contract, social insurance contribution statement, income tax, bank accounts, or any other evidence that can prove the applicant’s income.

 

APPLICATION FOR ACQUIRING CYPRIOT CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION FOR PERSONS RESIDING IN THE REPUBLIC FOR THE PURPOSE OF HIGH-SKILLED EMPLOYMENT IN COMPANIES – FAST TRACK

According to article 111B(2), the qualifications are differentiated for the persons who reside in the Republic for the purpose of highly qualified employment in companies which are determined by the Decision of the Council of Ministers with no. 92.018 and date 15/10/2021, regarding the Strategy for Attracting Companies to Activate and/or Expand their Activities, as well as for their family members.  The following companies fall into this category:

1. Businesses/companies of foreign interests operating in the Republic of Cyprus and operating independent offices in Cyprus, which are housed in suitable premises, separate from any private residence or other office,
   
   
2. Cypriot shipping companies,
   
   
3. Cypriot hi-tech/innovation companies with products related to the aerospace industry, computers, IT, technology and communication, pharmaceuticals, biomedical equipment, research and development equipment, electrical machinery, chemicals, non-electrical machinery,
   
   
4. Cypriot pharmaceutical companies or Cypriot companies active in the fields of biogenetics and biotechnology,
   
   
5. Companies that are already registered in the Register of Foreign Companies of the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
   
   
6. International Institutions of Higher Institution accredited by The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education.

 

An adult foreigner who, on the day of application submission and on the day of examination   of application, is employed in a company that meets the following conditions and whose employment was high-skilled according to the following criteria can apply for Cypriot citizenship by naturalization if they cumulatively meet the following qualifications:

(a) Legal and continuous residence for 12 months immediately before the date of application submission. Periods of absence not exceeding a total of 90 days do not interrupt the mentioned time period.

(b) During the immediately preceding 10 years from the 12-month period, the applicant must have legal residence for cumulative periods not less than 4 years or 3 years depending on their level of Greek language proficiency, i.e., A2 or B1 respectively. Periods of absence not exceeding a total of 90 days annually are not considered absences.

(c) Good character.

(d) Sufficient knowledge of the Greek language at level A2 or B1, as applicable.

(e) Sufficient knowledge of basic elements of the contemporary political and social reality of Cyprus

(f)  Suitable accommodation and stable and regular financial resources   sufficient for the maintenance of themselves and their family members.

(g) Intention to reside in the Republic.

 

High-Skilled Employees

1. Individuals holding temporary residence permits for the purpose of employment in companies of foreign interests, provided they belong to the categories:

• Director
• Specialist
• Key personnel

2. Individuals, regardless of their residence status, who:

• receive a minimum gross monthly salary of €2.500,
• hold a university diploma or degree or an equivalent qualification, or certificates of experience in a corresponding employment position for a duration of 2 years (e.g., tax declarations).

Individuals in category (2) must provide a certificate either from the Business Facilitation Unit or from the Civil Registry and Migration Department confirming that the company meets the criteria of the Decision.

3. Highly skilled employees and their family members can apply for an accelerated examination, not exceeding 8 months, by paying €5.000.

Please note that applicants under this category should be employed, in a company determined by the Decision of the Council of Ministers with no. 92.018 and date 15/10/2021, for a period of at least two years prior to the submission of the application for naturalization.

Family members

The following persons can apply together with or after the eligible person, provided they meet the residence and language requirements:

1. Spouse or partner
   
   
2. Dependent adult child with a disability (“disability” in relation to a person means any long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others).

 

Please note that:

Highly skilled employees and their family members can apply for an accelerated examination, not exceeding 8 months, by paying €5.000.

Please note that applicants under this category should be employed  in a company   determined by the Decision of the Council of Ministers with no. 92.018 and date 15/10/2021, for a period of at least two years prior to the submission of the application for naturalization.

Submission of Applications

• Applications are submitted using form M127 at the local District Administration Offices.
• The application must be accompanied by the necessary supporting documents listed in the document checklist, which must be duly certified and translated.
• It is noted the application must be signed in the presence of a Registrar
• The necessary fees are paid for the submission of the application as listed below.

Fees and Stamps

• A fee of €500 is payable for the submission of the application.
• Two stamps worth €8,54 each must be affixed to the application.
• In case of approval of the application, an additional fee of €500 is payable for the issuance of the certificate of naturalization.