Cyprus 60-day tax residency and dividend planning: building a tax base in 2026

Cyprus taxes individuals according to their personal tax residency, which is determined by their presence in the country and not by where their income arises, where their companies are incorporated, or where their assets are located.

The classic route to becoming a tax resident is by spending at least 183 days in the country within a calendar year.

Cyprus also offers the 60-day route, a second, more flexible option that suits people who travel frequently or live in multiple countries. It allows someone to become a Cyprus tax resident while spending as little as 60 days in the country, provided they meet additional conditions.[1].

The 60-day regime is particularly relevant for:

1. Dividend investors whose income is mainly dividends and interest and who want EU tax residency without moving portfolios or holding companies from other jurisdictions to Cyprus.
2. Business owners and executives who travel widely but hold a role in a Cyprus company and want to fix personal tax residency in Cyprus without a 183-day stay.
3. Families planning succession who prefer to anchor tax residency in a stable country while maintaining their lives and business operations elsewhere.

Investors who want a secure base in Cyprus can also obtain permanent residence by investing at least €300,000. This lifelong status removes immigration hurdles and ensures long-term access to the country, making it easier to spend 60 days a year and build a stable tax and succession plan.

Cyprus applies a residence-based system: individuals become tax residents if they spend at least 183 days in the country or meet the conditions of the 60-day rule within the calendar year.

183-day route

Under the traditional rule, an individual who is physically present in Cyprus for more than 183 days during the tax year, from January 1st to December 31st, is treated as a Cyprus tax resident, regardless of their tax status elsewhere.

In practice, this route remains relevant where:

• one’s lifestyle and work already involve staying in Cyprus for most of the year, for example for retirees, long-term employees, and families settled on the island;
• it is easier for a person to rely on a straightforward day-count rule than to deal with the more technical 60-day conditions;
• one does not need to manage substantial travel or parallel time in multiple jurisdictions.

60-day route criteria

The 60-day route is designed for internationally mobile individuals who maintain substantive ties with Cyprus but cannot spend most of the year there.

Applicants qualify if they meet all of the following conditions in the same tax year[2]:

1. Spend at least 60 days physically present in Cyprus within the calendar year.
2. Do not spend more than 183 days in any single other country during that year.
3. Are not considered a tax resident in any other country during that year.
4. Carry on business, work in Cyprus, or hold a Cyprus directorship, and keep this activity in place through December 31st.
5. Maintain permanent residential property in Cyprus, owned or rented, available for personal use throughout the year.

Rules for counting days in Cyprus

For both the 183-day and 60-day routes, Cyprus applies specific day-counting rules[3]:

• day of departure from Cyprus counts as a day outside Cyprus;
• day of arrival in Cyprus counts as a day in Cyprus;
• arrival and departure on the same day counts as one day in Cyprus;
• departure and arrival on the same day counts as one day outside Cyprus.

For example, an individual who arrives on Monday and leaves on Friday is counted as present in Cyprus for four days. Short trips abroad reduce the Cyprus day count only on the day of departure, while each return adds a day back.

Highly mobile individuals must track days carefully to ensure that at least 60 days are credited to Cyprus and that no other country reaches the 183-day threshold.

To use the 60-day rule, a person must meet two conditions:

• have the legal right to stay in Cyprus for at least 60 days during the year;
• clearly establish their tax profile with the Cyprus Tax Department so Cyprus is recognised as their only tax residence for that year.

Register for tax

The first step is to register with the Cyprus Tax Department as an individual taxpayer and obtain a tax identification number, TIN[4]. During registration, the applicant usually sets up an account for the online filing system, which will later be used to submit tax returns and receive notices from the Tax Department[5].

For individuals registering under the 60-day rule, the official list of required documents includes[6]:

• identification document;
• short letter explaining the reason for registration;
• proof of having a permanent home in Cyprus;
• Declaration for the Purpose of Issuance Tax Residence Certificate for the Tax Year[7].

The TIN is then used on all future tax returns and in all correspondence with the Tax Department.

Submit annual filings

Once registered, a person using the 60-day rule has the same basic obligations as any Cyprus tax resident. These include:

• filing an annual income tax return if income is above the filing threshold, using the online system;
• paying any tax due by the statutory deadline for that year, usually in the middle or second half of the following calendar year;
• keeping records of travel days, contracts, property documents, and bank statements that show genuine links to Cyprus.

1. Tax residence equals a residence permit. Cyprus tax residence does not itself give the right to live, work, or run a business there long term. At the same time, holding either a temporary or a permanent residence permit does not, on its own, make someone a tax resident.

2. 60 days alone secures tax residency. To qualify, the person must also maintain a home in Cyprus, not be a tax resident anywhere else in the same year, and meet all other conditions — not just spend 60 days physically in the country.

3. Paper presence counts as real presence. If directorships, companies, or “moves” exist only on paper, with no real time spent in Cyprus and no real management there, foreign tax authorities may disregard Cyprus tax residence.

4. Previous tax duties end once Cyprus grants residency. Previous countries of tax residence may continue to tax income under exit rules or tie-breaker provisions, even if Cyprus treats the person as a tax resident. This is common in countries with global taxation and strict tax exit rules.

5. The 60-day regime removes all taxation. Some types of income can still be taxed in Cyprus, so the 60-day rule does not mean full exemption from tax on salary, business income, or property income.

Besides tax residence, there are two further concepts in Cyprus: domicile and non-dom status. In contrast with tax residence, which shows where income is taxed in a given year, domicile reflects a person’s long-term home and long-term ties. 

Non-dom status is a preferential regime available to tax residents who are not domiciled in Cyprus. It allows eligible residents to avoid Special Defence Contribution, SDC, on dividends and interest.

Domicile as long-term home status

Domicile reflects a person’s long-term home and intentions, not necessarily where they live during a single tax year. It represents the jurisdiction with which a person has the strongest and most permanent connection. It is not influenced by short-term residence, annual tax arrangements, or travel patterns.

Cyprus recognises two types of domicile[8]:

1. Domicile of origin, normally inherited from the father and assigned at birth. It remains in force unless a new domicile is acquired.
2. Domicile of choice, obtained when an individual settles permanently in another country with a clear and lasting intention to remain there indefinitely. 

Changing domicile involves more than residence — it requires a demonstrated shift of long-term personal, economic, and social ties. In real life, a change of domicile is usually shown by a combination of factors, for example:

• home and presence — buying or long-term renting a main home in Cyprus;
• family and daily life — moving relatives and having children attend school or university in Cyprus;
• economic ties — working or managing the main business from Cyprus, as well as moving main banking relationships and professional advisers;
• formal steps and evidence of intention — updating wills so that Cyprus is treated as the main place of succession and obtaining and using Cyprus tax residency on a long-term basis, rather than as a short-term backup;
• cutting ties with the old domicile — closing businesses, selling property, and ending social security or electoral registrations.

Non-dom as tax status for Cyprus residents

Non-dom status applies to individuals who are tax resident in Cyprus but not domiciled there. It is a tax category rather than a separate legal status and gives an exemption from SDC on dividends and interest, which makes it especially attractive for investors and entrepreneurs.

To be eligible, individuals must meet one of the following criteria[9]:

• retain a foreign domicile of origin;
• have a domicile of choice outside Cyprus before becoming Cyprus tax residents;
• relocate to Cyprus without intention to make it their permanent, lifelong home.

Non-dom status is time-limited. It ends once an individual has been a Cyprus tax resident for 17 out of 20 consecutive years. After that point, the person is deemed domiciled in Cyprus for SDC purposes and loses access to the exemption.

International investors can combine the 60-day tax residency route with non-dom status. To do this, it is important to remain a non-resident in other countries — for example, by spending less than 183 days there and avoiding any criteria that would make you a tax resident under local rules.

Getting tax residency in Cyprus doesn’t automatically stop another country from also treating someone as a tax resident.

Once Cyprus tax residency is secured, investors remain free to travel, enjoy a stable tax base in the EU, and, as non-doms, pay no SDC on dividends and interest — only the standard GESY healthcare contribution applies.

Domicile and non-dom status are not granted automatically. 

Individuals claim non-dom status through Tax Department procedures, usually by submitting:

• Form T.D. 38 — Declaration of Domicile Status for SDC purposes[10];
• supporting documents that show a foreign centre of life, such as evidence of owning or renting a main home outside Cyprus.

The documents the applicant submits help the Tax Department decide whether the person is treated as domiciled in Cyprus or as a non-dom Cyprus tax resident.

The Tax Department monitors these statuses on an ongoing basis. Reviews typically take place when processing SDC on dividends, interest, or rents, issuing a tax residence or domicile-related certificate, or carrying out routine checks or audits.

The way dividends are taxed depends on two components: Special Defence Contribution, SDC, and the separate GESY healthcare contributions. Where the dividends come from doesn’t change the tax rules — it’s your tax and domicile status that matters.

Special Defence Contribution on dividends

Who pays SDC. Only Cyprus tax residents who are domiciled in Cyprus pay SDC on dividend income. Non-domiciled residents are fully exempt, no matter where the dividends come from[11].

How much is SDC. The current rate is 17%, and it applies to gross dividend income from both Cyprus and foreign companies[8].

Special cases for dividend taxation under SDC

Deemed dividends. If a Cyprus tax resident company does not distribute at least 70% of its after-tax profits within 2 years, that 70% is treated as if it were paid out as a dividend to its shareholders[12]. For domiciled individual shareholders, this deemed amount is subject to SDC at 17%. Non-dom shareholders remain exempt from SDC, even on deemed dividends.

Foreign dividends from low-tax or no-substance structures. In this case, the authorities may deny the usual SDC exemption to prevent abuse[8], so the dividend can become taxable under SDC at 17%.

Income tax treatment of dividends

In most cases, Cyprus tax residents do not pay income tax on dividends, whether the dividends come from Cyprus or abroad. Dividend taxation for individuals is normally dealt with through SDC rather than through income tax.

Healthcare contribution

Who pays healthcare contributions. All tax residents of Cyprus must contribute to the General Healthcare System, GESY. 

How much is taxed. Dividends are included, and the GESY rate is 2.65%, up to an annual limit. This applies to both domiciled and non-domiciled residents[13].

Foreigners can benefit in Cyprus not only from the 60-day route and non-dom status, but also from the absence of inheritance and gift tax[14].

Inheritance: costs that may still arise after death

Cyprus does not impose inheritance tax. However, some costs remain:

1. Capital gains tax, CGT, on later sale. If heirs sell inherited Cyprus real estate at a profit, CGT is charged at 20% on the gain[15].
2. Transfer fees. When Cyprus property is transferred into heirs’ names, Land Registry fees apply on the property’s value: 3% up to €85,000, 5% on €85,001—170,000, and 8% above €170,000[16].
3. Succession administration costs. Probate and succession usually involve court filing and professional fees for lawyers, notaries, and advisers, commonly around 3—5% plus VAT.

The absence of inheritance tax applies whether the deceased was Cypriot or foreign. Heirs receive Cyprus assets without an extra tax simply because of death.

Lifetime gifts: how are assets taxed when given away

Transfers between close relatives — such as parents and children or spouses — are typically exempt from gift tax and CGT if properly documented. However, Land Registry transfer fees may still apply, often at reduced rates, up to 0.1% in qualifying cases[17].

Why lifetime transfers are common

Even without inheritance tax, many families prefer to organise lifetime transfers to do the following:

1. Simplify ownership. Children or family holding companies become owners early, leaving fewer assets to pass through probate and reducing post-death formalities.
2. Use Cyprus reliefs. Family gifts can often be made without CGT and with reduced transfer fees, allowing assets to pass to the next generation on relatively favourable terms.
3. Separate control and benefit. Parents may retain control through a company or shareholders’ agreement, while children gradually receive ownership and income rights.
4. Reduce cross-border friction. In situations where other countries may charge inheritance or estate tax or have strict forced-heirship rules, early structuring with companies or holding vehicles can make future transfers easier

So even though Cyprus does not tax the estate on death, lifetime transfers are still widely used to tidy ownership, reduce future paperwork, and fit family and cross-border needs.

Cross-border inheritance and foreign estate taxes

While Cyprus does not charge inheritance or gift tax, this does not prevent other countries from taxing the same assets or transfers. Foreign estate or gift tax may apply in the following cases:

• deceased was resident or domiciled abroad;
• estate or gift includes assets located in a country that charges inheritance or gift tax;
• local tax rules are based on the person’s nationality or long-term home.

EU rules determine which country’s inheritance law applies, usually based on where the person last lived, though individuals may choose the law of their nationality instead. These rules affect only how the estate is distributed, not how it is taxed. Taxation is decided separately by each country.

Wealthy foreigners often choose not only to obtain tax residency in Cyprus, but also to secure permanent residence. This gives them stronger advantages, such as a lifetime right to reside in an EU country and a clear base for long-term planning.

Cyprus permanent residence can be obtained by investment. By contributing at least €300,000, an applicant and their family can receive lifelong status, which works well with the 60-day tax rule, the non-dom regime, the low 12.5 percent corporate tax, and the absence of tax on most dividend income.

Cyprus permanent residence by investment: overview

An investor can choose to purchase of the following:

• residential property;
• commercial property;
• shares in a Cypriot company;
• units in a local investment fund.

If the chosen investment is in non-residential property, the investor must still buy or rent housing in Cyprus. In that case, there are no minimum value requirements.

Family members can be included in the application: a spouse, children under 18, dependent children up to 25 who are studying, and children with disabilities of any age.

The investment must be maintained for as long as the permanent residence is held. In practice, funds can be withdrawn only after the permanent residence is given up or citizenship is obtained. To get a Cypriot passport, investors must live in Cyprus for at least 8 years.

How PR supports the 60-day tax residency model and non-dom regime

Physical presence in Cyprus. Permanent residence gives the right to stay in Cyprus without visa limits, making it easy to spend the required 60 days each year. Investors can continue travelling and living internationally while maintaining a tax base in Cyprus.

Non-dom status and dividend planning. Permanent residence does not make someone domiciled in Cyprus. A foreign investor can hold permanent residence, become a Cyprus tax resident under the 60-day rule, and keep non-dom status for many years. During that time, dividends and most interest remain free from SDC.

Family support and tax-free inheritance. Cyprus has no inheritance tax, so Cyprus assets, such as property or shares in a Cyprus company, can pass to heirs without an additional estate charge. With permanent residence available for spouses and children, families can establish themselves in Cyprus and transfer assets smoothly across generations.

1. The 60-day route allows mobile investors and executives to secure Cyprus tax residency with a short annual stay.
2. Under the 60-day route, a person must spend at least 60 days in Cyprus, have a home there, hold Cyprus-based employment, business, or a directorship, and not be a tax resident in any other country in the same year.
3. Non-dom status means that a person lives and pays tax in a country but is not treated as having that country as their long-term home. This status exempts Cyprus tax residents from SDC on dividends.
4. Cyprus has no inheritance and gift tax.
5. Cyprus permanent residence by investment provides a lifelong right to live in Cyprus and offer a stable base to support the 60-day model, non-dom planning, and long-term family succession.

1. Source: PwC — Tax residence in Cyprus
2. Source: Income Tax Amending Law of 2017, No. 119(I)/2017 — Ο περί Φορολογίας του Εισοδήματος (Τροποποιητικός) Νόμος του 2017
3. Source: KPMG — Cyprus Tax Residency and Non-Dom Rules
4. Source: Government of Cyprus — Online Tax Registration Guides
5. Source: Online tax filing system in Cyprus
6. Government of Cyprus — Required Documents for Registration of an Individual in the Tax Registry
7. Source: Declaration for the Purpose of Issuance Tax Residence Certificate for the Tax Year
8. Source: Domicile status in Cyprus — Ο Περί Έκτακτης Εισφοράς για την Άμυνα της Δημοκρατίας Νόμος του 2002 (117(I)/2002)
9. Source: KPMG — Cyprus Tax Residency and Non-Dom Rules
10. Source: Declaration of Individual for Exemption as Non-Domiciled
11. Source: PwC — Taxes on personal income in Cyprus
12. Source: The Special Contribution for the Defence of the Republic Laws
13. Source: GESY — How is the GHS financed
14. Source: Cyprus Tax Department — Immovable Property
15. Source: Cyprus Tax Department — Individuals
16. Source: The Department of Lands and Surveys — Fees and charges
17. Source: PwC — Taxes in Cyprus