Key Takeaways
• Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa reopened in March 2025, now allowing up to 1,000 annual permits for remote workers.
• Applicants must earn at least €3,500 per month after taxes, with additional income required for dependents.
• Visa holders can stay up to three years but cannot work for Cypriot companies or permanent residency directly.
The Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme stands out as a fresh opportunity for remote workers who want to live and work legally in Cyprus 🇨🇾 while staying connected to clients or employers based outside the country. In March 2025, Cyprus reopened this program as part of a larger push to attract remote professionals, bring new ideas to its economy, and put the country on the map for digital nomad talent. The latest updates in 2025 make it easier for many people to move to Cyprus 🇨🇾 with both short-term flexibility and longer-term planning.
What is the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme?
The Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme is a special residency visa that lets non-EU and non-EEA nationals live in Cyprus 🇨🇾 for up to one year at a time (with two possible renewals) as long as they work remotely for companies or clients based in other countries. The focus is on people who work online—either as employees or self-employed business owners—but are not supposed to work for Cypriot companies or serve Cypriot clients. It is designed for people who want to enjoy life in Cyprus 🇨🇾 and keep their professional ties abroad.
Eligibility Requirements
- Nationality: Only people from outside the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) can apply. If you are a citizen from these regions, you do not need a special visa for this purpose.
- Remote Work Status: You must work remotely using computers and telecommunications tools. This applies to both those working as employees and those running their own business (as long as your business does not target clients in Cyprus 🇨🇾).
- Minimum Income: Applicants must show they earn at least €3,500 each month after taxes. If you bring a spouse or partner, the amount goes up by 20%, making it €4,200 total. For each dependent child you bring, you need an extra €525 per child.
- Health Insurance: You need valid health insurance that covers both hospital stays and regular medical care for the whole time you plan to stay.
- Criminal Record Check: You must provide a certificate showing you have no criminal record from your home country.
- Accommodation: Proof of suitable housing in Cyprus 🇨🇾 is needed—this could be a rental contract or a property deed.
- Medical Requirements: The program asks for a medical certificate to show you are free from certain infectious diseases (this requirement is skipped for children under six).
Purpose and Benefits of the Visa
The main goal of the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme is to attract talented remote workers from around the world. This supports local businesses, helps the local economy grow, and brings international ideas to Cyprus 🇨🇾. By bringing in global talent, Cyprus 🇨🇾 also hopes to build a reputation as a place where remote professionals want to live and work. Benefits of the scheme include:
- The legal right to stay in Cyprus 🇨🇾 for up to three years (with renewals).
- The ability to travel freely in and out of Cyprus 🇨🇾 during your valid stay.
- Family members (such as spouses/partners and children under 18) can join on similar terms.
- Access to Cyprus’s good healthcare system, infrastructure, and high standard of living.
Application Process
The application for the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme is designed to be straightforward, though attention to detail is important. Here is a simple breakdown:
- Entry into Cyprus 🇨🇾: Most applicants first travel to Cyprus 🇨🇾 on a legal status such as a tourist visa.
- Application Timeline: Within 90 days (three months) of arriving, you must submit your application in person at the Civil Registry and Migration Department located in Nicosia.
- Required Documents: The main documents are proof that you are working remotely (letters from your employer or evidence of your online business), bank statements or payslips proving your income, health insurance coverage, a recent criminal record certificate, a passport valid for at least six more months, your Cyprus 🇨🇾 address (rental agreement or property deed), and the medical certificate if required.
- Fees: Application fees are between €70 and €140, depending on your situation. The renewal cost is similar.
- Processing Time: Most applications are processed in about five to seven weeks.
Required Documents and Evidence
Here is a checklist of the main documents you will need:
– Passport copies showing at least six months’ validity.
– Proof of remote work (employment contract, client contracts, business ownership documents, etc.).
– Bank statements or pay slips proving your qualifying monthly income.
– Valid international health insurance covering your full period of stay.
– Clean criminal record certificate from your home country.
– Medical certificates for infectious diseases (not needed for kids under six).
– Housing details such as a rental agreement or property deed.
– Application fee payment receipt.
Processing Times and Fees
You should expect a waiting time between five and seven weeks for most cases. If more information is needed by the office, it can sometimes take a little longer. The initial application fee is usually between €70 and €140; renewal fees are about the same.
Validity Period and Renewal Options
The first permit issued under the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme allows you to stay for one year. You can renew your permit two additional times, resulting in a possible three-year stay (as long as you still meet the requirements each time). For every renewal, you need to re-submit updated documents that show you are still working remotely and meet the program rules.
Rights and Restrictions
The visa comes with some strong rights and a few important limits:
- You Can: Live in Cyprus 🇨🇾 for up to three years, bring your close family, and use local services.
- You Cannot: Work for local Cypriot companies or provide your business services to Cyprus-based clients.
People holding this visa are also welcome to travel out of Cyprus 🇨🇾 temporarily. If you spend more than 183 days per year in Cyprus 🇨🇾 (and not elsewhere for tax residency), you might qualify as a Cyprus 🇨🇾 tax resident, possibly unlocking some tax perks like exemptions on income from foreign dividends or interest.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
Currently, the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme is a temporary solution rather than a direct path to permanent residency or citizenship. At the end of your three years, unless Cyprus 🇨🇾 offers new options, you will need to qualify for another form of residency if you want to remain in the country.
Comparison with Similar Visa Types
Digital nomad programs are becoming more common in countries aiming to attract remote professionals. For example, Greece 🇬🇷 and Portugal 🇵🇹 offer similar schemes. Cyprus 🇨🇾 differs in a few ways:
- Lower minimum monthly income compared to some others, which makes it more reachable for many remote workers.
- Clear, predictable renewal options, giving up to three years of legal stay.
- Tighter rules about not serving local clients when compared to some countries.
- Attractive tax options for those who qualify as tax residents.
Common Misconceptions or Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply for the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme from outside Cyprus 🇨🇾?
A: No, you must enter Cyprus 🇨🇾 first, then apply within 90 days of arrival.
Q: Can my spouse work in Cyprus 🇨🇾 on this visa?
A: No, accompanying family members are not allowed to work under this visa scheme.
Q: What happens if I change my remote job or income source?
A: If you keep qualifying as a remote worker and continue to meet the income threshold, you can stay.
Q: Can I become a permanent resident after my digital nomad stay?
A: The current scheme is temporary only; you’d need to explore other pathways if you want to settle long-term.
Real-World Examples
- Maria from Argentina 🇦🇷 works for a U.S. 🇺🇸 software company. She wants to live in a Mediterranean country and applies for the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme. She proves her income meets the minimum, obtains private health insurance, books a one-year apartment rental, and brings her spouse and child. All three move to Nicosia and enjoy life in Cyprus 🇨🇾 for up to three years.
- Liam from South Africa 🇿🇦 runs an online marketing business serving international clients. His net profits are above the €3,500 minimum. After entering Cyprus 🇨🇾 on a tourist visa, he files his application at the Civil Registry, moves into a rented flat, and starts exploring local beaches after work, all while keeping his business running from afar.
Recent Changes and Updates
In March 2025, Cyprus 🇨🇾 made several important changes to the scheme:
- The annual permit limit grew from 500 to 1,000 due to high demand, though some sources suggest that the cap may be removed altogether. This means more spots are available for remote workers who want to take part.
- The program makes clear that digital nomads are not allowed to take up local employment.
These changes make Cyprus 🇨🇾 even more open to remote workers and show that the government supports long-term living for digital nomads.
Pros and Cons of the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme
Pros:
– Low monthly income requirement, which more remote workers can meet
– Quick processing time (five to seven weeks)
– Family-friendly rules, so close relatives can join easily
– Lovely Mediterranean lifestyle and climate
– Access to possible tax benefits for those who meet the residency threshold
– Simple, clear application process
Cons:
– No direct path to permanent residency or citizenship
– Strict rule against working locally or serving Cypriot clients
– Limited to a maximum of three years on this scheme
– You must apply inside Cyprus 🇨🇾, not from abroad
Additional Resources
For a detailed list of instructions and the most recent updates, consult the official government page for digital nomad visas in Cyprus. This page offers current news, application forms, policy details, and contact information for further help.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme, reopened and improved for 2025, is a strong option for remote workers searching for a sunny, safe, and welcoming base in Europe. It is easy to meet the requirements, the process is clear, and Cyprus 🇨🇾 offers a high quality of life for families and professionals alike. As reported by VisaVerge.com, recent changes have made the program even more open, flexible, and popular for remote professionals who want certainty in their plans.
If you want to work online from sunny Cyprus 🇨🇾 in 2025, and your situation matches the updated requirements, applying for the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme could be your best next move. Start by gathering your documents, checking your eligibility, and preparing to enter Cyprus 🇨🇾 so you can apply within the required 90 days. This visa helps remote workers take advantage of Cyprus’s many lifestyle and financial offers, all while keeping their global business connections strong.
Learn Today
Digital Nomad Visa → A residency permit allowing remote workers to live legally in a country while working for clients or employers abroad.
Non-EU and Non-EEA nationals → Individuals who are not citizens of the European Union or European Economic Area countries.
Remote Work → Work performed from any location, using digital technology, typically for clients or employers outside the host country.
Tax Resident → An individual who is considered, for taxation, to reside in a country based on specific days stayed or financial ties.
Criminal Record Certificate → An official document from a person’s home country verifying they have no serious criminal convictions.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme reopened in 2025, targeting remote workers worldwide. With updated criteria—including a €3,500 income minimum—it enables legal residence up to three years. Applicants must work exclusively for foreign clients. The scheme boosts Cyprus’s global appeal and family-friendly digital nomad opportunities in Europe.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Cyprus Progresses Toward U.S. Visa Waiver Program Inclusion
• More Than 1,500 Syrians Prepare to Depart Cyprus
• Cyprus Faces Criticism for Paying Syrian Refugees to Return Under EU Plan
• Cyprus Warning: Passport Validity Alert for British Travelers
• Cyprus Starts US Visa Waiver Program Application
