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Cyprus Residence Program by Investment

Invest in StabilityAchieve Tax FlexibilityPlan B for Family

Secure your permanent EU residency in Europe's most tax-efficient non-dom jurisdiction with the Cyprus Golden Visa — lifelong PR status from a single €300,000 investment.

The Cyprus Golden Visa grants lifelong permanent residency in an EU member state for a €300,000 minimum investment. Non-dom tax regime with 0% on dividends, interest, and rental income for 17 years. Path to EU citizenship after 7 years.

$315K
Min. Investment
5-9 months
Processing Time
0 days
Min. Stay / Year *
0 years
Residency Period
* Visit Cyprus at least once every 2 years (no minimum days required)
Kyrenia harbour with boats and old town waterfront in Cyprus

Cyprus Golden Visa: Permanent EU Residency Through Investment

The Cyprus Permanent Residence Permit by Investment, commonly known as the Golden Visa, operates under Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations (4th Revision, effective May 2, 2023). It grants third-country nationals lifelong permanent residency in Cyprus — an EU member state — in exchange for a minimum €300,000 investment. The program has issued over 28,660 permits since 2014.

Unlike temporary residence schemes, Cyprus grants immediate permanent status rather than renewable temporary permits. The investment threshold of €300,000 sits below Greece's new minimums for prime areas and offers a more straightforward path than Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa. The program remains fully active as of February 2026.

Key Benefits

  • Lifelong Permanent Residency: Unlike Greece or Portugal, Cyprus grants permanent status that never expires.
  • Non-Dom Tax Regime: 0% tax on dividends, interest, and rental income for 17 years.
  • Minimal Physical Presence: Just one visit every two years — one of Europe's most flexible permits.
  • Path to EU Citizenship: EU passport after 7 years of legal residence — ranked #14 globally with 179 visa-free destinations.
  • Family Inclusion: Spouse and children under 18 included. Adult children 18-25 eligible via separate application.
  • EU Membership Benefits: Full access to EU frameworks. Post-Schengen accession (expected late 2026), visa-free travel across 29 Schengen countries.

Investment Options

New Residential Property
Non-Refundable

New Residential Property

Cyprus€300,000

Purchase new (first-sale) residential property from a developer. Up to 2 properties from 2 developers permitted. Must pay full amount upfront, transferred from abroad. Properties under 5% VAT cannot be rented out.

Commercial Real Estate
Non-Refundable

Commercial Real Estate

Cyprus€300,000

Purchase commercial property including offices, shops, hotels, or developments. Both new and resale commercial properties qualify. Can be rented out for income generation.

Cyprus Company Shares
Non-Refundable

Cyprus Company Shares

Cyprus€300,000

Invest €300,000 in share capital of a Cyprus-registered company with at least 5 employees. Suitable for entrepreneurs establishing operational businesses.

Collective Investment Funds
Non-Refundable

Collective Investment Funds

Cyprus€300,000

Invest €300,000 in units of a Cyprus Investment Fund (AIF, AIFLNP, or RAIF). Most liquid option with diversified exposure and no property management obligations.

Program Benefits

Tax Optimization

Non-domiciled residents enjoy 0% tax on dividends, interest, and rental income for 17 years under the Special Defence Contribution exemption. A 50% income tax exemption applies to earnings above €55,000/year for up to 17 years. No inheritance tax, no wealth tax, no gift tax. Corporate tax at 15% flat. Capital gains tax of 20% applies only to Cyprus immovable property. Crypto-assets taxed at flat 8%. Cyprus maintains 65+ double tax treaties.

Education

PR holders access Cyprus's education system. International schools available across Limassol, Paphos, Nicosia, and Larnaca. University of Nicosia and UCLan Cyprus at approximately €10,000/year with English instruction. EU tuition rates apply after citizenship.

Healthcare

Mandatory private health insurance from €120-170/person/year. Residents can enroll in the General Healthcare System (GHS) with comprehensive coverage. Private hospital infrastructure strong in Limassol and Nicosia.

Business Access

100% foreign ownership of Cyprus companies. EU single-market access for goods and services. IP Box regime with 3% effective rate. Notional Interest Deduction can reduce effective corporate tax to ~3%. Strategic holding company jurisdiction with 65+ double tax treaties.

Dual Citizenship

Allowed

Application Process

1

Investment Selection and Due Diligence

Est. 1-2 months

Select qualifying investment option and engage a licensed Cyprus immigration lawyer. Lawyer conducts preliminary eligibility assessment, reviews source of funds documentation, and advises on optimal investment structure.

2

Complete Investment

Est. 1-3 months

Execute the qualifying investment: sign property purchase agreements, transfer share capital, or subscribe to fund units. Full €300,000 must be paid upfront from abroad.

3

Document Preparation

Est. 2-4 weeks

Compile application dossier: criminal record certificates, health insurance, income verification (€50,000+ annual income from abroad), bank statements, and investment proof. All documents apostilled and translated into Greek.

4

Application Submission

Est. 1 week

Submit complete application to the Civil Registry and Migration Department through the District Immigration Office. Biometric data collection and €500 government fee payment.

5

Review and Approval

Est. 2-6 months

The Civil Registry and Migration Department reviews application, conducts background checks, and verifies investment documentation. Official approval timeline approximately 2 months.

6

Permit Issuance

Est. 2-4 weeks

Upon approval, collect biometric Permanent Residence Card from District Immigration Office. Card valid for 10 years with administrative renewal. Annual compliance obligations begin.

Key Requirements

Minimum Age

18 years

Clean Criminal Record

Required

Health Insurance

Required

Source of Funds

Proof Required

Family Inclusion

Family Members

Allowed

Spouse

Included

Children

Up to 25 years

Documents & Resources

Identity

Valid Passport

Identity

Passport-size Photographs

Identity

Birth Certificates

Legal

Clean Criminal Record

Medical

Health Insurance

Financial

Proof of Investment

Financial

Income Verification

Financial

Bank Statements

Secure your future with WorldPath AI

Get a personalized assessment and step-by-step guidance for the Cyprus Residence Program by Investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Author

Michael Chen
Director of Residency Programs

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