Permanent residence in Cyprus can be obtained by investment in real estate or securities worth at least €300,000.
Permanent residence holders may not pay taxes on global income, including dividends and capital gains. The country also has no inheritance tax, 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. This is because the corporate tax rate in the country is only 12.5%.
After 5 years of living on the island, a permanent resident can obtain Cypriot citizenship and travel without visas to 170+ countries, including the European Union and the UK.
Possibilities
Benefits of permanent residence in Cyprus
1
Tax optimization
There is no tax on global income and inheritance, rates of property and income taxes are low. 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 1-4% 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 and is passed on to children. 5 years after receiving permanent residence, its holder can apply for Cypriot citizenship and become a full citizen of the European Union.
4
Opportunity to own a business
Unlike many other investment immigration programs, applicants for permanent residence in Cyprus can buy a share in a local business, open their own companies or transfer operating companies to the island’s jurisdiction.
5
High quality of life
Cyprus has been included in the list of developed economies by the IMF since 2001. According to the Human Development Index, Cyprus ranks 31st in the world. The island has the lowest crime rate in Europe.
Without convictions, sanctions, restrictions or bans on entry the EU countries and the UK
With an impeccable personal and business reputation
With an owned or rented accommodation
With a medical report
With a legal income of €30,000 per year for the main applicant
With medical insurance
Spouse
Or a partner
Children under 18
Including children from previous marriages
Children under 25
Students
Financially dependent on an investor
Unmarried
Children of any age
With physical or mental disabilities
Spouses’ parents
Budget
Costs for an investor
An investor can choose from several investment options of €300,000: to 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. Again, there are no space or cost requirements.
Investments can be returned only after the permanent residence or citizenship expiration.
1Option investment
Purchase of residential property
€300,000+
An investor can buy one or two new-built properties with a total value of €300,000 plus VAT. The standard VAT rate is 19%, but if the property is the only housing for investor residing, VAT is reduced to 5%. It is not possible to buy a resale property.
Immigrant Invest has its 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.
Investor
Spouses
Family of three or more people
Purchase of a residential property
€300,000+
€300,000+
€300,000+
VAT ?The standard rate is 19%, for the only housing — 5%
€15,000+
€15,000+
€15,000+
Legal services
1% of the transaction amount
1% of the transaction amount
1% of the transaction amount
+ €500 per each additional applicant
Confirmation of income ?The annual minimum income must be deposited in a Cypriot bank account and kept for three years
€30,000+ per year
€35,000+ per year
€40,000 per year
+ €5,000 per each family member starting with the forth one
+ €8,000 per each parent
Due Diligence
€15,000
€25,000
€25,000
+ €10,000 per each family member over 12 years old
Immigration submission fee
€500
€500
€500
+ €500 per each child over 18 and each spouses’ parent
Registration fees
€70+
€140+
€210+
+ €70 per each family member starting with the forth one
Medical insurance
€2,000+ per year
€4,000+ per year
€6,000+ per year
+ €2,000 + per year per each family member starting with the forth one
All costsShow less
2Option investment
Purchase of commercial property
€300,000+
An investor can buy one or two commercial properties with a total value of €300,000 plus VAT. The property can be new or secondary. Offices, shops, hotels or a combination worth at least €300,000 qualify as commercial properties under the option.
Investor
Spouses
Family of three or more people
Purchase of a commercial property
€300,000+
€300,000+
€300,000+
VAT ?The standard rate is 19%
€57,000+
€57,000+
€57,000+
Legal services
1% of the transaction amount
1% of the transaction amount
1% of the transaction amount + €500 per each additional applicant
Confirmation of income ?The annual minimum income must be deposited in a Cypriot bank account and kept for three years
€30,000+ per year
€35,000+ per year
€40,000 per year
+ €5,000 per each family member starting with the forth one
+ €8,000 per each parent
Due Diligence
€15,000
€25,000
€25,000
+ €10,000 per each family member over 12 years old
Immigration submission fee
€500
€500
€500
+ €500 per each child over 18 and each spouses’ parent
Registration fees
€70+
€140+
€210+
+ €70 per each family member starting with the forth one
Medical insurance
€2,000+ per year
€4,000+ per year
€6,000+ per year
+ €2,000 + per year per each family member starting with the forth one
All costsShow less
3Option investment
Shares of Cypriot companies
€300,000+
Equity investment in a Cypriot company that conducts business and employs at least 5 people in Cyprus.
4Option investment
Purchase of securities
€300,000+
Investments in units of Cyprus investment funds in the form of AIF, AIFLNP, RAIF.
Investor
Spouses
Family of three or more people
Investment option:
1. shares of Cypriot companies;
2. units of Cypriot investment funds
€300,000+
€300,000+
€300,000+
Confirmation of income ?The annual minimum income must be deposited in a Cypriot bank account and kept for three years
€30,000+ per year
€35,000+ per year
€40,000 per year
+ €5,000 per each family member starting with the forth one
+ €8,000 per each parent
Due Diligence
€15,000
€25,000
€25,000
+ €10,000 per each family member over 12 years old
Immigration submission fee
€500
€500
€500
+ €500 per each child over 18 and each spouses’ parent
Registration fees
€70+
€140+
€210+
+ €70 per each family member starting with the forth one
Medical insurance
€2,000+ per year
€4,000+ per year
€6,000+ per year
+ €2,000+ per year per each family member starting with the forth one
All costsShow less
Costs for a family of three
An investor with their 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 ?The annual minimum income must be deposited in a Cypriot bank account and kept for three years
€40,000 per year
€40,000 per year
€40,000 per year
Due Diligence
€25,000
€25,000
€25,000
Immigration submission fee
€500
€500
€500
Registration fees
€210
€210
€210
Fee for a permanent residence card
€7,000
€7,000
€7,000
Medical insurance
€6,000+ per year
€6,000+ per year
€6,000+ per year
Individual cost calculation for permanent residence in Cyprus
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus
Obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus by investment takes about two months. Everything can be done remotely, so it is not necessary to fly to the island. The applicant will only need to collect documents and select an investment object.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Preliminary Due Diligence
1 day
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 own preliminary Due Diligence.
A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer checks the investor’s documents and searches for information about him in international databases. If there is a problem, we suggest a solution, such as attaching an affidavit to the application or choosing a different program.
The check is confidential and takes only one business day. Thanks to it, the risk of rejection is reduced to 1%.
Up to 2 weeks
Collection of documents
Collection of documents
Up to 2 weeks
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.
Main set of documents includes:
A completed MIP1 application form.
Originals and copies of valid passports of all the applicants.
A main applicant’s biography.
A declaration confirming an annual income of at least €30,000.
A confirmation of investment.
Proof of a permanent address in Cyprus.
A statement on the absence of employment in Cyprus.
A certificate of no criminal record for the main applicant and their spouse.
A marriage certificate.
A birth certificate.
Medical insurance for the whole family.
Up to several weeks
Fulfillment of investment conditions
Fulfillment of investment conditions
Up to several weeks
When buying a property, we submit documents to the Cyprus Department of Lands and Surveys of Cyprus, including an application to reduce the VAT rate to 5%. The investor transfers €200,000 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.
1 day
Application to the Cyprus Migration Service
Application to the Cyprus Migration Service
1 day
The applicant does not have to fly to the island as our agent in Cyprus can submit all the documents.
2 months
Application processing and obtaining permanent residence
Application processing and obtaining permanent residence
2 months
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.
Additional services
Additional services after obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus
Everyday life issues will remain after obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus as the investor will have 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 in the country for more than 183 days a year or after 60 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.
Choosing real estate
We have our database of properties, and we 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.
Schedule a meeting in 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.
Are investments for permanent residence in Cyprus returnable?
Yes, all investments can be returned after the expiration of the permanent residence or citizenship. If you sell securities before this time, the status will be cancelled. If an investor sells real estate, he is obliged to 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 open a bank deposit of €30,000 per person, undergo Due Diligence with a fee from €15,000, pay administrative and registration fees of €570 per person, as well as the fee for a permanent residence card of €5,000 and get medical insurance. If the applicant has chosen to invest in non-residential property, then it will also be necessary to buy or rent a property on the island.
How to get Cypriot citizenship?
The citizenship by investment program is suspended in Cyprus. Previously, an investor could get a country’s passport by investing 2 million euros.
The owner of the permanent residence in Cyprus can become a citizen of the country after having lived on the island for at least 5 years. Additionally, they will need to 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, keep investments, and also have an income of €30,000 per person per year.
What taxes do holders of permanent residence in Cyprus 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 types of 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 not necessary to become a tax resident, even if you live in the country for more than 183 days a year.
