Immigration, Relocation & Citizenship in Cyprus

Cyprus is as an attractive place for residence and employment. It’s small size and geographical position, combined with low crime and low tax on income, its’ cosmopolitan city style and international business establishments, combined with unique nature, a Mediterranean sea and bright sun that shines over 300 days per year, makes Cyprus a popular destination.

Overview

Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations has recently been simplified by the Ministry of Interior in order to issue residence permits to applicants from non-European countries who intend to invest in the Republic of Cyprus, provided that certain requirements are met.

Expertise

Our team of Immigration lawyers and consultants will consult you on the requirements of the whole application process.

We aim in advising you on all necessary questions and to assist you on the preparation of all documents necessary for submission. We submit the complete application together will all necessary supporting documents to the authorities on your behalf, we monitor the status of the application and we act as a liaison with authorities during the examination of the application. Our target is to make this process as easy and as fast as possible for our clients.

Investment Requirements

The applicant must invest at least €300,000 in one of the following investment categories:

    • House / apartment;
    • Real estate (excluding houses / apartments);
    • Cyprus Company’s share capital, with business activities and personnel in the Republic of Cyprus;
    • Units of Cyprus Investment Organization of Collective Investments (forms of AIF, AIFLNP, RAIF).

Overview

Non-EU nationals have the option of staying in Cyprus, as visitors, for over 3 months period and can apply for such permit at the Civil Registry and Migration Department of Cyprus.

Visitors visa

Third country nationals who will come to Cyprus for visiting purposes or will extend their previous visa can apply for visitors visa.

The Visitors section examines cases of third country nationals who enter the Republic of Cyprus and wish to stay for more than three 3 months (90 days), without employment rights.

Tourist Visas are issued by the consular authorities of Cyprus abroad. If they want to extend the visa they should apply for long term visa at the Immigration unit before their current visas expire.

Visas with the term FINAL can only be extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus.

The applicant needs to apply to the Immigration Unit of the city they are living in.

Requirements:

    • Sufficient income from the country of origin in order to cover living expenses while residing in Cyprus;
    • Must rent or buy a house that will be used for residence purposes;
    • Bank guarantee;
    • Other documents.

Restrictions:

    • Cannot stay out of Cyprus for more than three months continuously as the permit would be cancelled automatically;
    • No right to work in Cyprus;
    • Valid for one year and can be renewed annually one month before the visa expires.

Once the application is made the applicant receives a temporary permit until the card is issued in approximately 3 months from the date of application.

Expertise

Our specialized team of immigration lawyers and consultants will assist you on successfully applying for Temporary Residence Permit in Cyprus.

We ensure that the relevant filing forms are well completed and that you are represented by our firm on every step of the process. We shall further let you know in advance what might be needed or necessary for your successful outcome.

Overview

The Application for the issue of Entry permit and Employment Permit is submitted by the employer, to the Civil Registry and Migration Department.

The application should be submitted along with the contract of employment certified by the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Employment and Social Insurances, which is the competent Department for securing that there are no Cypriots or citizens of Member States of the European Union, available or adequately qualified for the specific job or post prior to recommending the employment of third country nationals.

Registration

Third country nationals must proceed for registration at the Civil Registry and Migration Department, within 7 days from the date of arrival.

Biometric data such as fingerprints and photo are collected for registration purposes.

Duration of stay / Exceptions

The maximum period of stay for third country nationals for the purpose of employment is 4 years, with the exception the livestock farming and agriculture sectors, where the maximum period has been set to 6 years.

The following third country nationals are exempted from this limitation:

    • Highly skilled personnel employed in companies with turnover of more than a million or hundreds of thousands of euros and with activities within the priorities set for economic development;
    • Athletes and coaches of sports teams or independent athletes and coaches;
    • Religious icon painters (until the completion of a specific project);
    • Journalists / correspondents;
    • Syrian nationals of Cretan descent – Kurdish (approved catalogues);
    • Homogeneous third country nationals.

Expertise

Our specialized team of immigration lawyers and consultants assist our clients on successfully applying for Employment Permit in Cyprus.

We ensure that the relevant filing forms are well completed and that you are represented by our firm on every step of the process. We shall further let you know in advance what might be needed or will it be necessary for your successful outcome.

Overview

We assist foreign individuals and companies to relocate their business, migrate their employees, locate their offices in Cyprus and start business operations.

Our comprehensive one-stop-shop package includes among others:

    • Pre-arrival relocation planning (incl. temporary accommodation, visa handling for family members);
    • Assistance on transportation and shipment of movable property;
    • Arrival support, schooling for children and assistance on personal banking;
    • Personal family support;
    • Assistance for working and residence permits;
    • Assistance with company formation;
    • Assistance with Social Insurance Registrations;
    • Assistance in locating offices and/or private residences;
    • Protection of Intellectual Property rights;
    • Guidance on National Health Insurance System;
    • Legal, Accounting and Audit services and registration in the TAX/VAT register.

Business

Relocation of company

Foreign companies/undertakings intending to operate in the Republic of Cyprus, that operate independent offices in Cyprus, in suitable premises, separate from residences or other offices may relocate to Cyprus through the fast-track business activation mechanism.

Registration of eligible companies within 7 working days.

Criteria include:

    • The majority of the company’s shares are owned by third-country nationals.
      If the percentage of the foreign participation in the share capital of the Company is equal to or below 50% of the total share capital, the Company is eligible when this percentage of the share capital represents an amount equal to or greater than the amount of €200,000.
    • Physical presence in Cyprus;
    • Staff and premises in Cyprus;
    • Company’s premises should be independent and separate from private residences.

Eligible companies which enter the fast-track mechanism are able to hire non-EU staff and obtain work permits for employees.

Tax benefits:

    • Non-domiciled employees with minimum required salary EUR 55.000: 50% tax exemption for 10 years (expected);
    • 50% tax exemption for investment in certified innovative companies to corporate investors (expected);
    • Increased deduction of 120% for research and development costs (expected);
    • 12.5% corporate tax.

Employees

Migration of employees

Eligible companies may relocate to Cyprus and employ third country nationals (TCNs) as per below:

Employment of third-country highly skilled nationals up to 70% of third-country nationals (TCNs) over a period of 5 years.

    • Highly skilled nationals with a minimum gross monthly salary of EUR 2.500 ;
    • Holders of a university degree or diploma or equivalent qualification or confirmation of relevant experience in a corresponding employment position of at least 2 years duration. Submit an employment contract of not less than two years;
    • After the lapse of 5 years if it is not possible to employ 30% of Cypriot workers, the matter will be re-examined on a case-by-case basis.

Employment of TCNs support staff up to 30% of the total support staff

    • Gross monthly salary less than EUR 2.500 (salary determined by Law).

Immediate and free access to the labour market for spouses

    • Immediate and free access to the labour market, with remunerated employment for spouses whose family member has obtained a residence and work permit in the Republic, and who receive a minimum gross monthly salary of € 2,500 (excluding support staff).

Securing the right to social security

TCN who paid social security contributions in Cyprus may transfer the contributions paid when returns to his/her country of permanent residence based on bilateral agreements.

Citizenship

After 5 years of residence and work in Cyprus, the TCNs have the right to apply for naturalization

OR

After 4 years in case of proven knowledge of Greek language.

 Residence

Relocation of home

The real estate market in Cyprus constantly presents opportunities for rent and/or purchase of private residence.

Our real estate consultants may assist you with locating an apartment or house.

Overview

There are four ways to legally obtain a Cyprus citizenship.

    1. Cyprus origin;
    2. Acquisition of citizenship as a spouse of a Cypriot citizen;
    3. Naturalisation;
    4. Permanent residence and employees of foreign interest companies naturalization.

Expertise     

There are four ways to legally obtain a Cyprus citizenship.

The types of applications for the acquisition of the Cyprus citizenship due to Cyprus origin and can be submitted by adults or minors.

These applications can be submitted by foreign spouses of Cyprus nationals, who have completed three years of marriage and two years of residence in the Republic of Cyprus prior to the date of application.

Application for acquisition of citizenship can be submitted by spouses of overseas Cypriots after they have completed 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 aforementioned letter.

It can be submitted by foreign nationals, who have completed seven years of legal residence in the Republic prior to the date of application. In cases of aliens who are either parents or children of Cypriot citizens the time required is five years rather than seven.

In any case, the applicant must have resided legally and continuously in Cyprus during the twelve months preceding the date of the application.

After 5 years of Permanent residence or employment in the Republic of Cyprus, instead of 7 that is valid today. Further reduction to 4 years if the criterion of holding a recognized certificate of very good knowledge of the Greek language is met.

There are four ways to legally obtain a Cyprus citizenship.

Cyprus origin

The types of applications for the acquisition of the Cyprus citizenship due to Cyprus origin and can be submitted by adults or minors.

Acquisition of citizenship as a spouse of a Cypriot citizen

Permanent residence and employees of foreign interest companies naturalization

Naturalisation

It can be submitted by foreign nationals, who have completed seven years of legal residence in the Republic prior to the date of application. In cases of aliens who are either parents or children of Cypriot citizens the time required is five years rather than seven.

In any case, the applicant must have resided legally and continuously in Cyprus during the twelve months preceding the date of the application.

Permanent residence and employees of foreign interest companies naturalization                 

After 5 years of Permanent residence or employment in the Republic of Cyprus, instead of 7 that is valid today. Further reduction to 4 years if the criterion of holding a recognized certificate of very good knowledge of the Greek language is met.

Benefits 

Cyprus citizenship benefits:

    • Visa free travel to over 174 countries as of January 2021;
    • Access to Cyprus and EU education system;
    • Cyprus dual citizenship is allowed under Cypriot Citizenship law;
    • Healthcare benefit;
    • Taxation;
    • Leisure;
    • Safety;
    • Employment benefits.