Updated 21 May 2026Cypriot citizenship by investment
Cyprus has not offered direct citizenship by investment since 2020. Property investment from €300,000 can provide permanent residence, but citizenship requires relocation, continuous residence and naturalisation.
Alesya Razinkevich
Prepared byAuthor of guides to property and residence programmes
Mikhail Bulanov
Reviewed byCo-founder and managing partner of Tranio, real estate investment expert
from €300,000
Investment in permanent residence as the first step to citizenship
4–8 years
Indicative residence period, depending on the route
EU passport
The right to live and work in 27 EU countries
174 countries
Visa-free, visa-on-arrival or electronic entry
How the route to Cypriot citizenship works
Discuss your optionsThe Cyprus Investment Programme closed in November 2020. Property investment can still provide permanent residence, but it does not lead to citizenship on its own. Applicants must move to Cyprus, build the required period of physical residence and meet the language and naturalisation conditions.
Law 149(I)/2023 introduced an accelerated naturalisation route for qualifying employees of accredited foreign companies, including businesses in technology, shipping and pharmaceuticals. The qualifying period can be four or five years, depending on the applicant’s Greek-language level.
Cypriot citizenship provides the right to live, work and establish a business throughout the EU. Cypriot citizens can also travel within the EU and Schengen countries using a valid passport or national identity card. Tax residents may qualify for non-domicile treatment, subject to individual circumstances.
Nationality, sanctions exposure, source of funds and banking arrangements are assessed as part of the permanent-residence and naturalisation process.
Moving to the EU with family
For families prepared to make Cyprus their home and build the residence history required for naturalisation
IT specialists and managers
Fast track 4–5 years available through an accredited company (FIC/BFU) in IT, shipping or pharmaceuticals. Minimum salary – €2,500 per month
International investors
For applicants seeking permanent residence through property before moving towards naturalisation
Long-term tax planning
Qualifying tax residents may benefit from non-domicile treatment for up to 17 years, subject to individual advice
What Cypriot citizenship offers
EU citizenship
the right to live, work, study and open a business in any of the 27 EU countries without additional visas and work permits. Citizenship is for life and is passed on to children
International mobility
Cypriot citizens can travel freely within the EU and Schengen countries with a valid passport or national identity card, plus visit many other destinations without a standard visa
Non-domicile: 0% on dividends
non-domicile resident is exempt from defence tax on dividends (0% vs 5%) and passive interest (0% vs 17%) — up to 17 years of tax residence
Multiple citizenship
Cyprus permits multiple citizenship. Applicants should also check the rules of their current country or countries of citizenship
Visa-free countries
174 destinationsAfrica
37Middle East
11Asia
30Oceania
15North America and Caribbean
21Europe (without EU and Schengen)
15Latin America
11Sources: IATA Timatic and the EU Your Europe portal. Entry rules can change and should be checked before travel. Cypriot citizens have EU free-movement rights.
Investment and fees
Investing in real estate, shares or funds is a way to obtain permanent residence and begin to accumulate residency requirements. The threshold is the same for all formats — from €300,000.
In addition to the investment, the applicant confirms a stable income from abroad: from €50,000 per year. When including a spouse — plus €15,000, for each dependent child — plus €10,000. The property remains in ownership for the entire period of permanent residence.
Requirements for the applicant
Main applicant
Actual residence in Cyprus: 4–5 years (fast track) or 8 years (standard)
Valid permanent residence for the entire qualification period
Stable income from abroad from €50,000 per year
No criminal record in all countries of residence
Language Exam Certificate (Level A2 or B1)
Cypriot citizenship by birth or descent is not required
Cyprus permits multiple citizenship
Family members in one application
Spouse living together in Cyprus
Minor children living in Cyprus
Financially dependent adult children — to be determined individually
The applicant's parents are not included in the joint application.
Application process
A realistic horizon for the accelerated track is 5–6 years from investment to passport: 4–5 years of qualification plus up to 8 months for consideration of the application. For a standard track — from 10 years, taking into account consideration.
Step 1 — Track selection and preliminary assessment
We evaluate passport status, level of Greek language and employer status. Accelerated track requires that the company has Business Facilitation Unit accreditation — we check this before moving. At the same time, we evaluate the capital structure for banking compliance.
Step 2 — Investment and permanent residence
We select a property or alternative investment and prepare the permanent-residence application, including evidence of the investment, income and lawful source of funds. The qualifying payment must come from the applicant’s personal account.
Step 3 — Moving and accumulating qualifications
The applicant moves to Cyprus, registers an address, opens an account, establishes tax residency if necessary. Every day is recorded: the migration service checks using stamps and border control data. Permanent residence is cancelled if there is a continuous absence of more than 24 months.
Step 4 — Language exam
Passing the exam at the Examination Service of the Ministry of Education of Cyprus. Level B1 is for an accelerated 4-year track, A2 is for a 5-year track. You should register no later than 6 months before the planned date of application.
Step 5 — Submit your M127 application
The file is submitted to the Department of Civil Registration and Migration. It includes form M127, the applicant’s passport, police certificates from all countries of residence, proof of physical residence and the language certificate. Documents must be legalised and translated as required. Employees of qualifying companies also provide employment and employer-accreditation evidence.
Step 6 — Review and Oath
The accelerated review is officially available for an additional €5,000 government fee and may take up to eight months. The standard review can take two to five years. After approval, the applicant takes the oath of allegiance and receives a passport.
Eligibility, payments and compliance
Check your eligibilityEligibility depends on nationality, sanctions screening, residence history and source of funds. The investment and banking route should be reviewed before any payment is made.
Nationality and sanctions screening
The authorities and banks assess nationality, residence history, sanctions exposure and other compliance factors. The result depends on the applicant’s individual profile
Payment from a personal account
The qualifying €300,000 investment must come from the buyer’s personal account. The payment route must be acceptable to the receiving bank and supported by a complete documentary trail
Banking compliance
Cypriot banks review the source of funds and tax history in detail. Tranio prepares the compliance file before the transaction begins
Obligations in your current country
Some countries require citizens or residents to report the acquisition of another citizenship. Applicants should obtain advice on the rules that apply to them
Tax residence, military service and multiple citizenship
Non-domicile and income tax
tax residency occurs after a stay of 183+ days (standard) or 60 days or more (in the absence of tax residency in another country and the presence of housing and activities in Cyprus). A resident with non-domicile status pays 0% defence tax on dividends and passive interest — versus 5% and 17% for domicile. The non-domicile period is up to 17 years out of the last 20 years of residence.
Military duty
The Cyprus National Guard provides for compulsory service for male citizens. For most naturalized investors who receive citizenship over the age of conscription, the issue is resolved automatically. The position is clarified individually before submitting an application.
Multiple citizenship
Cyprus permits multiple citizenship. Applicants should also check the rules and reporting duties of their current country or countries of citizenship
Comparison with alternatives
Cyprus offers permanent residence through investment, followed by naturalisation only after the applicant has built the required period of physical residence.
| Country | Investment | Indicative time to citizenship | Return | Schengen | Nationality restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | from €300,000 | 4–8 years | yes | EU, not Schengen | yes |
 Greece | from €250,000 | 9–10 years | yes | yes | via 2nd passport |
 Türkiye | from $400,000 | 6–9 months | yes | no | yes |
 Egypt | from $250,000 | 9–12 months | yes | no | yes |
 Vanuatu | from $130,000 | 2–4 months | no | no | yes |
Cyprus has not yet abolished internal border controls with the Schengen Area. However, Cypriot citizens are EU citizens and may travel within the EU and Schengen countries using a valid passport or national identity card.
Other citizenship-by-investment options
When to consider other options
01
A passport is needed for a period of 1–3 years — the minimum period for an accelerated track is 4 years of actual residence on the island
02
You are not prepared to make Cyprus your home for the qualifying period
03
You are not prepared to learn Greek to the required A2 or B1 level
04
The capital structure will not withstand banking compliance — Cypriot banks check in detail the source of funds and tax history
05
You need access to the US Visa Waiver Program — Cypriot citizens currently require a US visa
06
You need a fixed decision date — the standard naturalisation review can take two to five years
How Tranio can help
Book a consultationTranio coordinates the Cyprus route from the choice of residence and property strategy through the permanent-residence application and, later, the naturalisation process.
We evaluate the optimal track: accelerated 4–5 years through a FIC company or standard 8 years
Select a property or alternative qualifying investment
Prepare the payment route and compliance documentation
We help build a documentary trail throughout the entire residency requirement
We advise on non-domicile status and tax residency before moving
We prepare the final package of the M127 application and accompany you until the oath of office
Expert opinion
“Cypriot citizenship is not a passive investment product. By the time a client applies, Cyprus should already be the centre of their life: home, work or business, family routine and a documented history of residence. Naturalisation is the final stage of that move.”
Kseniya Nass
Tranio expert on residence and citizenship programmes
Frequently asked questions
No. Citizenship through naturalisation requires actual residence: 4–5 years on the accelerated track or 8 years on the standard track. In the final year — continuous presence on the island with a total departure of no more than 90 days. Possession of permanent residence without actually living in Cyprus does not bring you closer to citizenship.
Cyprus permits multiple citizenship. Applicants should also check whether their current country or countries of citizenship impose restrictions or notification duties.
Law 149(I)/2023 reduces the qualifying period to four years with B1 Greek or five years with A2. The employer must be accredited through the Business Facilitation Unit in an eligible sector, and the employee must meet the salary and professional requirements. If the employer loses its qualifying status, the applicant may move to the standard route.
Yes. The property can be rented out, but the applicant must retain the qualifying investment for as long as the permanent residence status depends on it.
Yes. Status is cancelled if there is a continuous absence from the island for more than 24 months. The rule applies to all family members included in the application.
Cyprus has not yet abolished internal border controls with the Schengen Area. Cypriot citizens are nevertheless EU citizens and may travel within the EU and Schengen countries with a valid passport or national identity card.
No. Cypriot citizens still require a B1/B2 visa to travel to the US. In February 2026, the official US-Cyprus Strategic Dialogue on joining the VWP was launched, there are no specific dates.
The €300,000 qualifying investment must come from the buyer’s personal account. The payment route must be acceptable to the receiving bank, and the applicant should prepare a complete source-of-funds and transaction file before transferring the money.
Popular residence programmes
The Tranio ecosystem
Residence or citizenship is only one stage. With Tranio, these goals can be addressed by one team.
We select and arrange residence, permanent residence and second citizenship around your goals and long-term plans.
We help you choose and buy overseas property with full transaction support.
We advise on international investments, ownership structures and substantial private wealth.