Cyprus Citizenship-by-Investment: What Are Your Options in 2026?

Cyprus is one of Europe’s premier destinations for high-net-worth individuals seeking enhanced global mobility through investment. For a period, the country operated a citizenship-by-investment program, allowing relatively quick citizenship acquisition after making a substantial investment in the country. The program eventually closed, leaving potential investors seeking alternative pathways to obtain Cypriot legal status.

In this article, we’ll explore the alternatives left in the wake of the Cyprus citizenship-by-investment program’s closure. We’ll explain how to obtain Cyprus residency by investment and discuss the requirements for obtaining citizenship in the country. 

Cyprus Citizenship-by-Investment Program Overview

Launched in 2013, the Cyprus citizenship-by-investment program, called the Cyprus Investment Program (CIP), allowed foreign investors to acquire Cypriot citizenship by:

• Purchasing a residence in the country for at least EUR 500,000
• Donating EUR 200,000 for research, innovation, and land development
• Investing either EUR 1.5 million in residential real estate, or EUR 2 million in commercial real estate, or a business

At a minimum, the citizenship cost EUR 2.2 million, but it afforded the investor a much-coveted Cypriot passport, which allows free travel to the EU. 

In 2020, following pressure from the public, as well as EU legislators, the Cypriot government announced it would suspend the program, halting all new applications. Since then, the country has also revoked a number of passports awarded under the program, often called Golden Cyprus passports, and in 2025, it officially codified the process of reviewing citizenships issued to investors.

Bonus read: If you’re interested in learning more about the program itself, check out our guides on citizenship by investment (CBI) in the following countries:

• Panama
• Mauritius
• Turkey
• Sierra Leone
• Cambodia
• Malta
• São Tomé and Príncipe

Can Foreign Investors Still Get Citizenship in Cyprus?

As a foreign investor in Cyprus, you can still acquire the country’s citizenship through the process of naturalization. For the purposes of naturalization, your investment doesn’t have any impact; you’ll still need to meet the same Cyprus citizenship requirements as any non-citizen. 

Being an investor might help you in the steps leading up to citizenship. Thanks to the Cyprus residency-by-investment program, you can acquire permanent residence in the country and use it to satisfy some of the conditions for naturalization. 

Cyprus Residency-by-Investment Explained

In Cyprus, investors can apply for permanent residency, which allows them to stay in the country indefinitely as long as they maintain their investment. 

If you don’t plan to live in Cyprus, you’ll also have to enter the country every two years to maintain your status. You will also be required to apply for a new residence card every 10 years, as the document has a validity period. 

To obtain permanent residency in Cyprus through investment, you have to meet several criteria and follow a specific process. The following sections describe the requirements and steps: 

1. Permanent residency investment requirements
2. Permanent residency personal requirements
3. Requirements for dependents
4. Documents necessary for the application
5. Permanent resident application process

Permanent Residency Investment Requirements

To be eligible for a permanent residence permit in Cyprus as an investor, you have to invest at least EUR 300,000 in one of the following categories: 

Type of Investment	Conditions
Real estate	Residential real estate has to be bought from a developer, and it must be a first sale Commercial or hospitality real estate can be bought through resale You can buy up to two properties whose combined value meets or exceeds the program requirement
Business	Both starting a new business and buying shares in an existing business are allowed The business has to be registered and operate in Cyprus, with a physical presence and at least five employees
Investment fund units	The fund has to be established in Cyprus and hold its investments in the country

In addition to making the actual investment, you’ll also need to meet minimum annual income requirements:

• EUR 50,000 for yourself as the principal applicant
• Additional EUR 15,000 for a dependent spouse
• Additional EUR 10,000 for each dependent minor child

If you’re investing in residential real estate, your income should come from abroad. For an investment in any other category, income derived from that investment can be used to meet the requirement partially or fully. 

Permanent Residency Personal Requirements

In addition to meeting the financial criteria, you will also have to satisfy other personal requirements when applying for a Cyprus permanent residence as an investor. These include:

• Having a clean criminal record in your country of origin, and not being considered a threat to public order and security in Cyprus
• Acquiring medical insurance that covers both inpatient and outpatient care
• Not planning to take up employment in Cyprus, unless it’s the position of the Director in the company you invested in 
• Having accommodations in the country, unless you’re investing in residential real estate

Keep in mind that you are required to obtain medical insurance for each dependent included in your application. Your spouse is also subject to the clean criminal record and non-employment requirements.

Requirements for Dependents

Your application for a permanent residence permit can include dependents (a spouse and children under 18), and their permit will be valid for as long as yours is. 

If you want to apply for adult children who are not financially dependent on you, you will have to add another EUR 300,000 to the investment requirement for each child. They will also be required to prove they have a source of income as if they were a principal applicant. 

Documents Necessary for the Application

Before submitting an application, you should gather the necessary documents. These are the supporting documents for your investment: 

Investment Category	Required Documents
Real estate	A title deed or a sale contract, filed at the Department of Land and Surveys A recent Search Certificate of Immovable Property for a sales contract delivered more than a year after the application A recent Real Estate Survey Certificate for properties with documents older than a year
Business	The Shareholders’ Certificate and Certificate of Incorporation The company’s business profile document Proof of payment Documents attesting to the number of employees
Investment fund units	Proof of existence for the purchased units Proof of payment Confirmation from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission on the fund’s setup Memorandum of the fund

In addition to these documents, you should also prepare: 

• A Criminal Record Certificate
• Proof of medical insurance
• An application form, available on the Migration Department website

Note that any document that’s not originally in Greek should be translated and certified.

Permanent Resident Application Process

Cyprus doesn’t offer you the option of submitting your permanent residency application online. It has to be done in person, in one of two ways:

1. You can submit it on your own to the Migration Department in the country’s capital, Nicosia
2. You can authorize a representative to submit it in your stead 

If you choose to submit the application via a representative, you will also have to include a written authorization with the application documents.

Additionally, you will have to pay two separate fees when applying for a residence permit: 

1. A EUR 500 application processing fee
2. EUR 70 per person for Alien Registration Certificate issuance, if you don’t already have one

If approved, you will be granted permanent resident status and required to submit annual reports demonstrating continued compliance with the program’s requirements. In case you sell the qualifying investment, you will have to replace it with another promptly. 

How To Get Cyprus Citizenship

To get a Cyprus citizenship, you will have to: 

1. Meet the citizenship requirements
2. Gather the necessary documents 
3. Submit the application

Cyprus Citizenship Requirements

To be eligible for Cypriot citizenship by naturalization, you will have to meet the following requirements: 

• Continuous residence in the country for the 12 months preceding the application, with 90 non-consecutive days of allowed absence 
• Seven non-consecutive years of legal residence in the 10 years preceding the 12-month continuous residence period
• Knowledge of the Greek language
• Knowledge of the Cypriot political system and social reality
• Proper accommodation and a stable source of income
• Genuine intention to reside in Cyprus
• Good moral character

You can prove your language skills by taking the Greek Language Certification Examinations. For knowledge of the political system and social reality, you should take the Basic Elements of the Contemporary Political and Social Reality of Cyprus exam with the Examination Service of the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth. 

Documents Required for the Application 

You should prepare the following documents before you submit your citizenship application: 

• Birth and marriage certificates (if applicable)
• Copy of your residence permit
• Copy of your passport, including pages with arrival and departure stamps
• Records of arrivals and departures to and from Cyprus
• Certificate of Criminal Records from Cyprus
• Certificate showing an A1 or B2 level in Greek
• Certificate showing that you passed the Basic Elements of the Contemporary Political and Social Reality of Cyprus test with at least 60%
• Two passport-sized photos of yourself
• Proof of income, such as a bank statement, social insurance, or income tax return
• Proof of residence, such as a title deed in your name, or a rental agreement 
• Copies of two announcements you made in the local newspaper stating your intent to apply for naturalization

Citizenship Application Process

After meeting the requirements and gathering all the necessary documents, you should submit your application for Cypriot citizenship in person to the District Administration Office nearest to your location. 

You will have to pay the following fees: 

• EUR 500 for the application processing
• EUR 8.54, twice, by adding stamps of that value to your application
• EUR 500 for the Certificate of Naturalization if your application is approved

Benefits of Cyprus Citizenship and Residency

The closure of Cyprus’s citizenship-by-investment program made acquiring citizenship a much more time-consuming and strategic process for investors. Still, Cyprus remains a popular destination for expats, as the benefits it offers have remained the same: 

• The ability to live and work in any EU country
• Visa-free travel to over 120 countries around the world, including global and regional financial centers such as Panama, Hong Kong, and Singapore
• Life in a Mediterranean country with a beautiful climate and a laid-back lifestyle
• Access to well-established expat communities with excellent infrastructure
• Access to the competitive personal tax rate and corporate tax rate of 15% in case you become a tax resident of the country

If you decide to stay a permanent resident, you will not have access to a Cypriot passport. By contrast, residency requirements for a citizenship application will convert you to a tax resident, and you will be subject to taxation on global income. 

Taxation is one of the key aspects you need to consider when becoming a resident or citizen of a new country, especially if you’re required to make a significant investment. To ensure that you’ve considered all of the aspects and potential consequences of making such a decision, contact Nomad Capitalist.

Simplify Your Path to Cyprus Citizenship or Residency With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm specializing in tax optimization and international mobility. We’ve helped over 1,500 high-net-worth individuals identify global investment opportunities, secure foreign residency, and establish a presence in jurisdictions that best protect their wealth.

We develop solutions that are specific to every individual client, brought together in an Action Plan—a detailed roadmap outlining the client’s objectives and steps we’ll take to get them there.

Here’s what working with us looks like:

1. We start by asking you to fill out a short form that helps us determine if we’re a good fit
2. We schedule an onboarding call, during which we’ll learn as much as we can about your situation
3. Our team creates an Action Plan and presents it to you for approval
4. We implement the Plan over a 12-month period
5. You continue receiving support from us even after the Plan is implemented

This process allows us to closely align our strategy with your goals and ensure swift and effective execution. Whether your path to reaching those goals is via the Cyprus residency-by-investment program or another route, Nomad Capitalist is here to ensure all administrative burden is off your shoulders. Partner with Nomad Capitalist today!