Updated on November 20, 2024

Cyprus Permanent Residence

Tax incentives and access to the European business market

€300,000+

Investment amount

9+ months

Obtaining period

Once every 2 years

Mandatory visit to
the island

Non-EU citizens obtain Cyprus permanent residence by investing at least €300,000 in real estate or securities.

Permanent residents may not pay taxes on global income, including dividends and capital gains. The country has no inheritance tax and low income and property tax rates.

The Cypriot jurisdiction is one of the best places to register the tax residency of an international business or open a new company. The corporate tax rate in the country is only 12,5%.

A permanent resident can obtain Cyprus citizenship after five years of living in the country. Citizens travel without visas to 170+ countries, including the European Union and the UK.

Benefits of Cyprus permanent residence

  • 1

    Tax optimisation

    There is no tax on global income and inheritance and low property and income taxes rates. The corporate tax rate is one of the lowest in Europe — 12,5%.

  • 2

    Income from investments in real estate

    Prices on Cypriot real estate grow by 14% every year. The same yield is applied to leases of residential property.

  • 3

    Prospect of obtaining a Cypriot passport

    Permanent residence is issued for life. Five years after receiving permanent residence, its holder can apply for Cyprus citizenship and become a full-fledged citizen of the European Union.

  • 4

    Opportunity to own a business

    Unlike under many other investment immigration programs, investors with Cyprus permanent residence can buy shares in local businesses, open their own companies or transfer operating companies to the island’s jurisdiction.

  • 5

    Creating a “safe haven” or moving to Cyprus

    Investors may visit Cyprus anytime and stay for as long as they wish. They may move to the country or create a “plan B”, with housing and financial safety cushions in Cypriot banks.

  • 6

    High quality of life

    Cyprus has been included in the IMF list of developed economies since 2001. According to the Human Development Index, Cyprus ranks 29th in the world.

  • 7

    Access to quality healthcare and education

    Cyprus residents may get an education in local schools and universities and turn to medical help from local facilities.

  • 8

    Fast procedure

    Application processing lasts for about two months, and the entire procedure takes 3+ months.

  • 9

    Residency for the whole family

    Investors’ spouses and children may participate in the program.

  • 10

    Investment return

    If an investor acquires citizenship or ordinary permanent residence after living in the country for 5+ years, they may return the investment, for example, by selling their properties.

price

Get maximum information about the process

  • Step by step procedure

  • Requirements for applicants

  • Necessary documents

  • Answers to frequently asked questions

Who can get Cyprus permanent residence

  • Investor

    • Over 18 years old

    • No criminal record or prosecution, restrictions or bans on the entry to the EU countries and the UK

    • Not under sanctions

    • Impeccable personal and business reputation

    • Legal income of €50,000 per year for the main applicant

    • Owned or rented accommodation in Cyprus

    • Medical report

    • Medical insurance

  • Spouse or partner

  • Children under 18

    Including children from previous marriages

  • Children under 25

    • Students

    • Financially dependent on the investor

    • Unmarried

  • Children of any age

    With physical or mental disabilities

Investment options for Cyprus permanent residence

The investor can choose from several investment options of €300,000: buy residential or commercial real estate, shares of Cypriot companies or units of local investment funds.

If the applicant has chosen to invest in non-residential property, buying or renting housing on the island will also be necessary. In this case, there are no space or cost requirements.

Investments can be returned only after the permanent residence expiration or obtaining citizenship.

1 option

Purchase of residential property — €300,000+

The investor can buy one or two new properties with a total value of €300,000 plus VAT. The standard VAT rate is 19%. But if the property is the only housing and the investor plans to live there and not rent it out, VAT is reduced to 5%. It is not possible to buy a resale property.

Immigrant Invest has a database with hundreds of reliable properties, including those at the construction stage, which our clients can buy without a commission. Our lawyers will organize a trip and accompany investors when choosing a property.

Purchase of a residential property

Investor

€300,000+

Married couple

€300,000+

Family of 3 or more people

€300,000+

VAT

Investor

€15,000+

Married couple

€15,000+

Family of 3 or more people

€15,000+

Legal services

Investor

1% of the transaction amount

Married couple

1% of the transaction amount

Family of 3 or more people

1% of the transaction amount
+ €500 per each additional applicant

Confirmation of income

Investor

€50,000+ per year

Married couple

€65,000+ per year

Family of 3 or more people

€75,000 per year

+€10,000 per each child, starting with the 2nd one

Immigration submission fee

Investor

€500

Married couple

€500

Family of 3 or more people

€500

+ €500 per child over 18

Registration fees

Investor

€70+

Married couple

€140+

Family of 3 or more people

€210+

+ €70 per family member starting with the fourth one

Fee for a permanent residence card

Investor

€70

Married couple

€140

Family of 3 or more people

€210

+ €70 per family member starting with the fourth one

2 option

Purchase of commercial property — €300,000+

The investor can buy one or two commercial properties with a total value of €300,000 plus VAT. The property can be new or for resale. Offices, shops, hotels or a combination worth at least €300,000 qualify as commercial properties under the option.

Purchase of a residential property

Investor

€300,000+

Married couple

€300,000+

Family of 3 or more people

€300,000+

VAT

Investor

€57,000+

Married couple

€57,000+

Family of 3 or more people

€57,000+

Legal services

Investor

1% of the transaction amount

Married couple

1% of the transaction amount

Family of 3 or more people

1% of the transaction amount
+ €500 per each additional applicant

Confirmation of income

Investor

€50,000+ per year

Married couple

€65,000+ per year

Family of 3 or more people

€75,000 per year

+€10,000 per each child, starting with the 2nd one

Immigration submission fee

Investor

€500

Married couple

€500

Family of 3 or more people

€500

+ €500 per child over 18

Registration fees

Investor

€70+

Married couple

€140+

Family of 3 or more people

€210+

+ €70 per family member starting with the fourth one

Fee for a permanent residence card

Investor

€70

Married couple

€140

Family of 3 or more people

€210

+ €70 per family member starting with the fourth one

3 option

Shares of Cypriot companies — €300,000+

Equity investment in a Cypriot company that conducts business and employs at least 5 people in Cyprus.

4 option

Purchase of securities — €300,000+

Investments in units of Cypriot investment funds in the form of AIF, AIFLNP, and RAIF.

Investment option:
1. Shares of Cypriot companies
2. Units of Cypriot investment funds

Investor

€300,000+

Married couple

€300,000+

Family of 3 or more people

€300,000+

Confirmation of income

Investor

€50,000+ per year

Married couple

€65,000+ per year

Family of 3 or more people

€75,000 per year

+€10,000 per each child, starting with the 2nd one

Immigration submission fee

Investor

€500

Married couple

€500

Family of 3 or more people

€500

+ €500 per child over 18

Registration fees

Investor

€70+

Married couple

€140+

Family of 3 or more people

€210+

+ €70 per family member starting with the fourth one

Fee for a permanent residence card

Investor

€70

Married couple

€140

Family of 3 or more people

€210

+ €70 per family member starting with the fourth one

Expenses for a family of 3

The investor, a spouse and a child

Purchase of a residential property

Purchase of a commercial property

Investments in securities

Investment

€300,000+

€300,000+

€300,000+

VAT

€15,000+

€57,000+

Confirmation of income

€75,000 per year

€75,000 per year

€75,000 per year

Immigration submission fee

€500

€500

€500

Registration fees

€210

€210

€210

Fee for a permanent residence card

€210

€210

€210

Individual  cost calculation  for Cyprus permanent  residence

Individual cost calculation for Cyprus permanent residence

Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees

Real estate under the Cyprus permanent residence program

https://immigrantinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/schermata-2020-08-12-alle-18.12.09-e1597248848523.jpg

location iconCyprus, Limassol

€695,000+

Apartments in a residential complex near the sea
square icon78 m²
bed icon2
bathroom icon1
https://immigrantinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/bg-3.jpg

location iconCyprus, Limassol

€419,000 — €519,000

Apartments in a unique closed residential eco-project
square icon96 m² — 127 m²
bed icon2—3
bathroom icon2—3
https://immigrantinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Изображение-JPEG-53BA0EC9E6DF-1.jpeg

location iconCyprus, Limassol

€1,060,000+

Apartment in a luxury residence with guaranteed return
square icon110 m² — 111 m²
bed icon1
bathroom icon1

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining Cyprus permanent residence

Obtaining Cyprus permanent residence by investment takes about two months. Everything can be done remotely, so flying to the island is unnecessary. The applicant only needs to collect documents and select an investment object.

1

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

Due Diligence is a mandatory step in any residency program for investors. Its results define whether the investor becomes a resident of the country.

To increase the chances of approval, Immigrant Invest conducts preliminary Due Diligence.

A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer checks the investor’s documents and searches for information about them in international databases. If there is a problem, we suggest a solution, such as attaching an affidavit to the application or choosing another program.

The check is confidential and takes only one business day. Thanks to it, the rejection risk reduces to 1%.

Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.

Evaluate chances
2

Up to 2 weeks

Preparation of documents

We help collect, translate and apostille documents, get medical insurance and conclude a real estate lease agreement.

We hand the documents over to our agent in Cyprus when everything is ready.

The main set of documents includes:

  1. A completed MIP1 application form.

  2. Originals and copies of valid passports of all the applicants.

  3. A main applicant’s biography.

  4. A declaration confirming an annual income of at least €50,000.

  5. A confirmation of investment.

  6. Proof of a permanent address in Cyprus.

  7. A statement on the absence of employment in Cyprus.

  8. A certificate of no criminal record for the main applicant and their spouse.

  9. A marriage certificate.

  10. A birth certificate.

  11. Medical insurance for the whole family.

3

Up to several weeks

Fulfilment of investment conditions

When buying a property, we submit documents to the Department of Lands and Surveys of Cyprus, including an application to reduce the VAT rate to 5%. The investor transfers €300,000 and VAT to the developer.

We have our own database of properties, including those under construction. We will help you decide on the type of investment or choose a property, draw up a contract of sale and conduct a deal.

4

1 day

Application to the Cyprus Migration Service

The applicant does not have to fly to the island as our agent in Cyprus can submit all the documents.

5

2 months

Application processing and obtaining permanent residence

The decision to grant permanent residence is made within two months. Within a year after the approval, the investor and their family must visit the island to submit biometric data and obtain permanent residence.

Case studies

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Clients’ names and photos have been changed.

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Permanent residence and Immigrant Invest stay with you

Everyday life issues remain after obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus as the investor has to communicate with banks, the migration service and other officials. We will help to get the necessary documents and make everything go smoothly.

  • Renewing permanent residence cards

    We collect and submit the necessary documents and take over communication with officials.

  • Registering tax residence

    We request a tax resident status to the tax office after a standard stay un the country for more than 183 days a year or days for property owners who run a Cypriot company.

  • Opening a bank account

    We help to choose a bank and prepare documents for opening an account.

  • Obtaining permanent residence for family reunification

    We prepare the documents and apply if you want your parents or close relatives to move to Cyprus.

  • Selecting real estate

    We have a realty database and work directly with Cypriot developers, so you do not have to pay a commission. We help choose a region, type of real estate and suitable property, including at the construction stage. We accompany you when selecting a property and making a deal.

  • Managing property

    We conclude a contract for the management of the real estate. We undertake the preparation of housing, the search for tenants, the conclusion of an agreement, rent and taxes.

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Let's discuss the details

Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the benefits of the Cyprus Golden Visa?

    Cyprus permanent residence holders may live in the country or visit it anytime, optimise taxes, register a company, and get access to Cypriot education and healthcare. Also, investors may apply for citizenship after five years of living in the country and get even more benefits.

    Spouses and children of investors may also participate in the program. And the application processing takes about two months, which is fast.

  • Can investors’ family members be included in the application and get Cyprus permanent residence?

    Yes. Investors may include spouses and children in their applications.

    Adult children must be students under 25, unmarried and financially dependent on the investors. Children with disabilities may participate regardless of age.

  • What’s the application processing time?

    Application processing for Cyprus permanent residence by investment usually takes about two months.

  • Are investments for Cyprus permanent residence returnable?

    Yes, they are. All investments can be returned after the permanent residence expiration or obtaining citizenship. If you sell securities before this time, the status will be cancelled. If the investor sells real estate, they must buy another property for the same or higher price.

  • What is the minimum investment amount?

    The minimum investment amount is €300,000. The investor also needs to pay €500+ for the application processing and get medical insurance. If the applicant invests in non-residential property, it will also be necessary to buy or rent a property on the island.

  • How to get Cyprus citizenship?

    The citizenship by investment program is suspended in Cyprus. Previously, an investor could get the country’s passport by investing 2 million euros.

    A Cypriot permanent resident can become a citizen after 5 years of living on the island. Additionally, they confirm knowledge of the language and culture of Cyprus, as well as pass an interview at the migration service.

  • What obligations arise after obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus?

    It is mandatory to visit the country within a year after the approval of permanent residence — to submit biometric data and receive a permanent residence card. After that, it is enough to visit the island once every two years.

    Investors are obliged to prove annually that they have not divested their investment of €300,000 and keep medical insurance for all family members. Every 3 years, all family members over 18 must also submit certificates of no criminal record from the country of citizenship and the country of residence.

  • What taxes do Cypriot permanent residents pay?

    A permanent resident without tax residency may not pay tax on global income, including the one from investments: taxes must be paid only on profits earned on the island.

    Tax residents must pay income tax on all their income and other taxes. The income tax rate depends on the income amount, e.g. up to €28,000 per year are taxable under 20%, and €60,000 per year — is under 35%.

    It is unnecessary to become a tax resident, even if you live in the country for more than 183 days a year.

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We will develop an individual solution, select a country and status that will solve your problems, and accompany the entire process.

Zlata Erlach
Zlata Erlach

Head of the Austrian office

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