A Guide to Cyprus Citizenship: Requirements, Options, and Benefits Explained

Cyprus’ rich history, Mediterranean climate, and competitive tax regime make it an attractive option for expats looking to relocate while maintaining or growing their wealth. However, becoming a citizen is a time-consuming and complex process that requires expert guidance.

In this guide, we’ll discuss Cyprus citizenship requirements, documentation, benefits, tax implications, and ways to streamline the process.

How To Get a Cyprus Citizenship: Requirements Explained

As an expat, you can obtain Cypriot citizenship through one of three main pathways. The requirements vary depending on the route you choose:

1. Citizenship by birth
2. Citizenship by marriage
3. Citizenship by naturalization

Cyprus Citizenship by Birth Requirements 

Foreign citizens who have Cypriot ancestry may be eligible to apply for citizenship by descent.

If you were born in Cyprus or at least one of your parents was a Cypriot citizen at the time of your birth, you are automatically granted Cypriot citizenship. On the other hand, if you were born abroad, you can apply for a Consular Birth Certificate, provided you fall into one of the following four categories:

1. You were born before August 16, 1960, to a Cypriot father and are a citizen of the UK or its colonies
2. You were born before August 16, 1960, to a Cypriot father and are not a citizen of the UK or its colonies
3. You were born on or after August 16, 1960, and your parents were not Cypriot citizens at the time of your birth but acquired citizenship later
4. You were born after June 11, 1999, and at least one of your parents was a Cypriot citizen at the time of your birth

To acquire a Consular Birth Certificate, you must send an M121 form to the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD). You’ll also need to submit the following documents:

• Birth certificate
• Copy of your passport
• Copies of your parents’ passports
• Parents’ marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Copy of the Certificate of Registration, or Citizenship for the Cypriot parent (if applicable) 
• Receipt showing that you’ve paid the application fee

Cyprus Citizenship by Marriage Requirements

If you are married to a Cypriot citizen, you can apply for citizenship through marriage. The requirements depend on where you live and include two scenarios:

1. If you reside in Cyprus, you must have been married for at least three years and have lived in the country for at least two of those three years before submitting your application 
2. If you reside outside Cyprus, you must have been married for at least three years and submit a letter explaining why you are applying for Cypriot citizenship. However, if you have lived abroad for more than five years and have children, you are not required to provide this letter

Note that you’ll need to pay a EUR 300 application fee, along with an additional EUR 8.54 charge for the stamps. When applying for Cypriot citizenship through marriage, you are required to submit the following documents:

• Two M125 forms that have been notarized by an authorized individual
• Your original birth certificate
• Copies of children’s birth certificates (if applicable)
• Copy of your passport
• Original marriage certificate
• Statement of harmonious cohabitation, signed before an authorized officer
• Statement of cohabitation issued by the local authority in Cyprus
• Police clearance certificate issued within the six months prior to your application
• Proof of payment of the required fees

Cyprus Citizenship by Naturalization Requirements

If you don’t qualify for citizenship through birth or marriage, you can apply for Cypriot citizenship by naturalization. This pathway involves a longer process with stricter criteria, as it requires several years of legal residence in Cyprus.

To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• At least 12 consecutive months of legal residence in Cyprus immediately before applying, with absences not exceeding 90 days in total
• A minimum of seven years of residence in Cyprus within the 10 years preceding those 12 months
• Intermediate (B1) knowledge of the Greek language
• A basic understanding of Cyprus’s political and social structure
• Suitable accommodation and sufficient financial resources
• A clean criminal record with no ongoing legal issues
• A declared intention to continue residing in the country

When applying, you’ll need to pay an EUR 500 fee, plus EUR 8.54 for the stamps. If your application is approved, you’ll need to pay an additional EUR 500 for a naturalization certificate. Along with the application form, you must submit:

• Copy of your birth certificate
• Copy of your marriage certificates (if applicable)
• Detailed statements of arrivals and departures
• Passport pages with stamps showing your arrivals and departures to Cyprus
• Two passport-sized photos
• Copies of newspapers with ads showing your intent to become a citizen

As of 2024, skilled professionals can fast-track the naturalization process. This option is only available to employees of organizations registered as Foreign Interest Companies in Cyprus who earn at least EUR 2,500 a month before tax.

The remaining criteria are largely the same, with some adjustments. The most significant change is the shorter residency requirement: applicants with an A2-level Greek can apply after five years, while B1 diploma holders are eligible after four years.

Does Cyprus Allow Dual Citizenship?

Cyprus allows you to keep your original citizenship after becoming a Cypriot citizen, so holding dual citizenship is possible.

You can also include your family members in your application, regardless of the route you choose. That said, each person still needs to meet the eligibility requirements and submit their own documentation. 

Keep in mind that while Cyprus does allow dual citizenship, your home country may not. While some countries, like the U.S. and the UK, allow dual citizenship, others, such as Austria, China, India, and Singapore, don’t. Before you begin the process, it’s a good idea to confirm this with official sources to avoid any surprises. To make sure you have all the right information and prepare your application correctly, it’s best to seek assistance from a local agent or an expert advisory firm.

Does Cyprus Offer Citizenship by Investment?

With the closure of the golden passport program in November 2020, Cyprus no longer offers a direct path to citizenship through investment. However, it’s still possible for expats to obtain an Immigration Permit, which grants them permanent residency in the country.

Permit holders who maintain legal residence in Cyprus can then become eligible to apply for citizenship, provided they meet the required residency period and other legal criteria. 

The first step in this route is securing an Immigration Permit. To do this, you’ll need to invest at least EUR 300,000 + VAT into one of the following options:

Investment Option	Details
Residential real estate	First-sale property purchased directly from a developer
Non-residential real estate	Offices, shops, hotels, and similar developments, including resale properties
Cyprus-registered company	Investment in a new or existing company with a physical presence in Cyprus and at least five employees
Cyprus Investment Organization of Collective Investments	Qualifying investment in an approved Cyprus-based collective investment scheme

As part of the application process, you’ll also need to submit supporting documents, which may vary depending on your chosen investment option. For example, if you invest in residential real estate, you will typically need:

• Completed immigration permit application
• Copy of your passport
• The title deed for the property
• Proof of payment for the investment
• Declaration of a secured annual income (at least EUR 50,000 per year, plus EUR 15,000 for spouse and EUR 10,000 for each child under 18)
• Proof that the investment funds originate from outside Cyprus

What Are the Benefits of Citizenship in Cyprus?

Becoming a citizen of Cyprus grants you access to all of the benefits afforded to nationals, which include:

1. Visa-free travel: Since Cyprus is a member of the European Union, passport holders can travel to all other Member States without a visa. This also grants you visa-free access to most South American countries, as well as parts of Africa and Asia
2. Access to high-quality medical care: Cyprus offers excellent healthcare, and passport holders get access to free or low-cost services through the General Healthcare System. As a Cypriot citizen, you’ll also receive a European Health Insurance card, which entitles you to receive medical services in other EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland
3. Passport inheritance: Children of Cypriot passport holders automatically qualify for a passport by birth, or they can apply for one through descent
4. Low cost of living: On average, living in Cyprus is significantly more affordable than both the U.S. and the UK
5. Access to high-quality education: Public education in Cyprus is free, and there are also private schools that offer classes in English. The University of Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology are also well-regarded public universities

Tax Implications of Becoming a Cyprus Citizen

Cyprus operates a residence-based tax system, but it can be favorable for non-domiciled residents. In general, Cypriots are subject to a tiered personal tax based on monthly income:

Income in EUR	Tax Rate
0–22,000	0%
22,001–32,000	20%
32,001–42,000	25%
42,001–72,000	30%
72,001+	35%

Alongside personal taxes, these changes have also reduced the dividend rate to 5% and set corporate tax at 15%. Notably, Cyprus has no wealth, inheritance, or gift tax.

Tax Residency Requirements

There are two ways to become a Cyprus tax resident. One is to spend at least 183 days in the country during a single calendar year. The other is the 60-day rule, which requires you to meet all of the following criteria:

1. Spend at least 60 days in Cyprus
2. Spend no more than 183 days in any other country
3. Maintain a permanent home in Cyprus 
4. Work in Cyprus or serve as a director of a Cyprus tax-resident company

Keep in mind that becoming a tax resident in Cyprus doesn’t necessarily mean you’re exempt from paying taxes in your home country. For example, the U.S. taxes its citizens on their worldwide income regardless of their tax residency.

Luckily, Cyprus has double taxation agreements with various countries, meaning that it may not be able to impose taxes on specific types of income.

Does Cyprus Offer Any Residency Options?

Aside from citizenship, Cyprus offers several options to individuals looking to relocate or work in the country. These include work permits for expats relocating to work for a Cypriot company, as well as short-term residency permits (the pink slip) for Non-EU nationals.

Work permits are primarily intended for highly skilled professionals seeking employment in a Foreign Interest Company. These permits are typically valid for a period of two years, although they can be renewed, and there is no upper limit on the length of stay. After five years, permit holders can apply for a permanent residency or immigration permit.

The pink slip is a short-term residency permit that allows non-EU nationals and their families to stay in Cyprus for up to one year, and can be renewed annually. Note that while the pink slip does allow you to stay in Cyprus, it does not grant you the right to work there. To become eligible, you must have accommodation in the country and meet strict financial criteria.

Cyprus offers multiple routes for relocation, employment, and citizenship, but the right choice depends heavily on your goals and circumstances. Because the requirements and timelines vary significantly, getting professional guidance can help you choose the most efficient path and avoid delays. For tailored support, consider working with a team of experts at Nomad Capitalist.

Partner With Nomad Capitalist for a Smooth Path to Cypriot Citizenship

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm that’s helped more than 1,500 high-net-worth individuals meet their financial and lifestyle goals.

We understand that each client has unique needs and circumstances, and to support this, we create individualized Action Plans that align with your relocation goals, whether that’s applying for a second citizenship or another relocation path. The Action Plan also covers:

• Investment diversification
• Global tax optimization
• Setting up offshore banking

To get started, you need to complete a short online questionnaire to determine whether we’re a good fit. Once you’re approved, we:

1. Schedule a one-on-one call to get a better understanding of your goals
2. Create a personalized Action Plan based on the information you gave us
3. Present you with the Plan
4. Implement the Plan over 12 months while handling all of the administrative work
5. Provide you with lifetime support for any questions, concerns, and updates to your Plan

When you partner with Nomad Capitalist, you can trust us to handle the administrative workload, while you focus on the more enjoyable aspects and benefits of the relocation and Cypriot citizenship. Get your Action Plan today!