(CYPRUS) Cyprus has closed the door on direct citizenship-for-cash and is steering investors toward long-term settlement instead. Authorities confirm the original Cyprus Investment Programme, which offered a passport in return for a minimum €2 million investment, was permanently terminated on 1 November 2020. As of October 2025, the Cyprus Investment Programme no longer exists, and there is no route to immediate citizenship by investment.
In place of the old scheme, Cyprus offers a Golden Visa — Permanent Residency by Investment route. This pathway leads to citizenship only after years of lawful residence, cultural and language checks, and time-based conditions rather than immediate naturalisation.
Main features of the current Golden Visa (Permanent Residency by Investment)
- Minimum investment: €300,000 in approved assets.
- Acceptable asset types: residential or commercial real estate, equity in Cypriot companies, and units in approved local investment funds.
- Income requirement: baseline €50,000 per year from abroad, plus €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per dependent child.
- Permit validity: residency permit is effectively for life, but holders must renew every 10 years.
- Physical presence requirement: visit Cyprus at least once every two years to maintain status.
- Family coverage: spouse and dependent children; children up to 25 years old may qualify if full-time students and financially dependent.
- Processing time (residency stage): typically 6–9 months.
The policy aims to channel foreign capital into the real economy while meeting European Union standards on security and due diligence.
Financial and documentation requirements
Applicants must do more than purchase approved assets. Authorities also require proof of steady income from abroad to ensure families can support themselves in Cyprus without local employment. Typical acceptable income sources include:
- business dividends
- pensions
- rental income
- overseas salaries
Common documentation and evidence requested:
- proof of source of funds and purchase contracts
- bank confirmations
- documentation showing the €50,000 income baseline and family add-ons
- translated and certified civil documents (births, marriages)
- police clearances where required
Important: Keep clean, well-translated records. Gaps or unclear documentation can slow applications at either the residency or naturalisation stage.
Residency maintenance and family considerations
- The residency card is long-term, but not “set-and-forget.” Holders must:
- Renew the permit every 10 years.
- Visit Cyprus at least once every two years to demonstrate continuing ties.
- Families can apply together. Dependent children can be included up to age 25 if they are full-time students and financially dependent.
- Many applicants set calendar reminders, keep proof of travel, and maintain Cyprus-based ties (home, bank account, memberships) to safeguard their record.
Pathway to citizenship (naturalisation)
There is a route to Cypriot citizenship, but it is lengthy and conditional:
- Minimum residence before eligibility: 8 years of legal residence, including a continuous 12-month period immediately before applying.
- Language and civic requirements:
- Greek language exam at level B1
- tests on Cypriot culture and the Constitution
- Absence limits: In the year before filing, the applicant should not be absent from Cyprus for more than 90 days.
- Processing time: authorities typically review naturalisation requests in about two years, though this is not guaranteed.
- Dual nationality: Cyprus permits dual nationality, so renouncing an original passport is unnecessary if the home country allows dual citizenship.
Legal advisors note that naturalisation requires more than time: language ability, civic knowledge, clean background checks, and a consistent paper trail are essential.
Policy context and implications
The end of direct citizenship by investment aligned Cyprus more closely with broader EU trends that emphasize security checks, length of stay, and cultural ties in citizenship decisions. Analysis by VisaVerge.com highlights this shift as a move toward EU-wide norms.
Impacts include:
- For investors: a move from a fast-track passport to a medium–long-term settlement plan; more emphasis on lifestyle fit and sustainable income.
- For the market: a more measured pace in real estate and fund investments; possible local job support where investment goes into Cypriot companies or projects.
- For employers and local economy: potential benefits from capital channeled into sectors (tech, shipping, renewables, professional services), while preserving local labor dynamics because many residency holders cannot engage in local employment.
- For families: clarity on dependent coverage helps planning for education; however, the once-every-two-years visit rule and continuous residence requirements demand consistent attention.
Warning: A missed visit or poor record-keeping can jeopardise residency status and delay the 8-year naturalisation clock.
Application process snapshot
Typical steps applicants follow:
- Choose investment path (residential unit, commercial property, local fund units, or equity in a Cypriot company).
- Collect required documents, including source-of-funds evidence, purchase contracts, bank confirmations, and proof of annual income.
- File the residency application with the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD), directly or via a licensed representative.
- Undergo due diligence and any biometric visits requested by authorities.
- Receive the permanent residence permit card once approved — then begin accruing time toward naturalisation.
Practical travel and residence planning matters:
- Many families schedule at least one trip to Cyprus every two years, often more, to maintain ties and build language/community links.
- In the final year before applying for citizenship, applicants must ensure they have a continuous 12-month stay and do not exceed the 90-day absence limit.
- For naturalisation: prepare for the B1 Greek exam, culture and Constitution checks, updated police clearances, residence records, proof of tax compliance where relevant, and evidence that the investment remains in place if required.
Comparing Cyprus with other EU residence-by-investment options
Cyprus’s current Golden Visa features:
- A moderate investment threshold (€300,000) compared with the old €2 million passport route.
- Family coverage and a defined road to citizenship, albeit lengthy.
- Emphasis on EU-standard security and due diligence.
This positions Cyprus in a crowded European field where residence-first models are increasingly the norm. Authorities stress that Cyprus has moved away from any model that effectively trades nationality for a cheque.
Official guidance and next steps
Officials recommend prospective investors check the latest rules before committing funds, since thresholds, document lists, and language or civics requirements may be updated.
- For official information and policy details, consult the Civil Registry and Migration Department: https://crmd.moi.gov.cy
Careful planning — from asset choice to language study and record-keeping — helps families meet milestones on time and avoid surprises late in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Cyprus abolished its direct citizenship-by-investment programme on 1 November 2020 and replaced it with a Golden Visa permanent residency-by-investment route. The current pathway requires a minimum €300,000 investment in approved assets and proof of at least €50,000 annual foreign income, with additional amounts for spouse and dependent children. Residency permits are effectively permanent but renewed every 10 years and require a physical visit at least once every two years. After a minimum of eight years’ legal residence — including a continuous 12-month period immediately before applying — investors may seek naturalisation, subject to B1 Greek, civic tests, absence limits, and background checks. Processing times are typically 6–9 months for residency and around two years for naturalisation reviews. Authorities stress rigorous documentation and due diligence, aligning Cyprus with EU standards and prioritising long-term settlement over immediate citizenship.
