About
Why Cyprus.
Status: The historical Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Programme closed on 1 November 2020. The active route today is the fast-track Permanent Residency Permit.
Cyprus offers one of Europe's most efficient permanent-residency pathways. The fast-track Permanent Residency Permit (Category 6.2 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations) grants life-long EU permanent residency in approximately 2 months, in exchange for €300,000 in new-build Cyprus real estate plus a €30,000 Cypriot bank deposit.
Key features:
- Life-long validity. PR remains valid as long as you visit Cyprus at least once every 2 years.
- 8-year path to citizenship. After 8 years of legal residence (with sufficient physical presence and Greek language), you become eligible for Cypriot citizenship, and with it EU citizenship.
- 17-year non-dom tax regime. New non-domiciled residents are exempt from Special Defence Contribution on dividends, interest, and rental income.
- Family included. Spouse, children up to 25, and parents over 65 covered.
The Cypriot passport ranks #11 globally with 178 visa-free destinations and full EU citizenship rights.
For clients who would have applied under the historical CBI program (terminated November 2020), the PR + naturalisation pathway offers an 8-year route to the same EU passport. The trade-off is the physical-presence requirement during the residency period.
Tax regime
The tax planning angle.
Non-Domicile regime: 17 years of exemption from Special Defence Contribution on dividends, interest, and rental income for new non-domiciled residents.
Investment routes
How the investment works.
Real estate
Cyprus Permanent Residency by Investment
From
€300,000
Investment in new-build Cyprus real estate (residential, commercial, or mixed) starting at €300,000. This is the fast-track Permanent Residence Permit, Category 6.2 of the Aliens Regulations; the historical CBI program was terminated in 2020.
- RecoverableProperty held during residency status.
- Hold period0 years minimum
Benefits
What residency unlocks.
EU permanent residency (life-long)
The Cyprus PR is valid for life as long as you visit Cyprus at least once every 2 years.
Path to EU citizenship (8 years)
After 8 years of legal residence with sufficient physical presence, you become eligible for Cypriot citizenship, and with it EU citizenship.
Non-Dom tax regime
New non-domiciled tax residents are exempt from Special Defence Contribution on dividends, interest, and rental income for 17 years.
Family included
Spouse, dependent children up to 25, and parents over 65 covered.
Permanent residence in 2 months
Fast-track processing for the Permanent Residence Permit (Category 6.2).
Eligibility
Who can apply.
Main applicant
- ✓At least 18 years old
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✗Not from: IR, KP, RU, BY
Family members eligible
- ✓Spouse
- ✓Children
- ✓Parents
Process
How it works, step by step.
Initial residency: ~2 months for the Permanent Residency route; CBI terminated November 2020.
- 1
Property selection
4-6 weeksSelection of qualifying new-build Cyprus real estate (€300K minimum).
- 2
Property purchase
2-4 weeksNotarised purchase contract, deposit transferred from abroad.
- 3
Application
2 weeksPR application filed under Category 6.2 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations.
- 4
Biometrics and review
4-6 weeksSingle in-country visit for biometrics; Ministry of Interior review.
- 5
PR card issued
2 weeksPermanent Residence Permit issued, valid for life subject to a visit every 2 years.
Documents
What you'll need to prepare.
10 documents required.
- 1Notarized passport copy
- 2Birth and marriage certificates (apostilled)
- 3Police clearance
- 4Medical certificate
- 5Health insurance covering Cyprus
- 6Proof of stable annual income (€50K+ from sources outside Cyprus)
- 7Property purchase agreement
- 8Cypriot bank deposit (€30K minimum)
- 9Photographs
- 10Application forms
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Is Cyprus citizenship by investment still open?
How does PR convert to citizenship?
Is the PR valid for life?
What is the Non-Dom tax regime?
Can my family join?
Legal basis
Aliens and Immigration Regulations, Category 6.2 (fast-track Permanent Residence). The historical Cyprus Investment Programme (citizenship) was terminated by Council of Ministers decision on 1 November 2020.
