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Cyprus Golden VISA
Starts at €300,000
EU Visa Free
6 Months Processing Time
cyprus | Starts at €300,000 | cyprus visa free
Essential Information
Country: Cyprus
Capital: Nicosia
Population: 1.25M
Language: Greek, Turkish
Timezone: GMT+2
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Program Started: 2013
Cyprus offers one of the fastest and most efficient residency-by-investment pathways in Europe. Officially launched in 2013, the Cyprus Permanent Residence Programme is a practical choice for investors seeking a long-term EU base with a streamlined process.
The minimum investment threshold is EUR 300,000, and successful applicants receive permanent residency within 2–3 months. Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Cyprus offers a high standard of living, excellent healthcare, and a tax-efficient environment.
The country has plans in joining the Schengen Area by 2026, which will add visa-free travel benefits to the residency status. Applicants can include their spouse, dependent children, and parents on the application. Residency is maintained by visiting Cyprus just once every two years.
From Permanent Residency to Passport: Your Route to Citizenship in Cyprus.
The Cyprus residency programme provides a clear path to citizenship, but only through long-term physical residence. Residency permit holders become eligible for citizenship after 7 years of continuous, legal residence, which includes a physical presence requirement.
This means applicants must reside in Cyprus for most of the year, annually, for the majority of that 7-year period. Cyprus permits dual citizenship, and naturalised citizens enjoy full EU rights, including visa-free access across the EU and the ability to live and work in any member state.
The permanent residency permit can also be held indefinitely if citizenship is not desired, offering lifestyle flexibility while preserving future options.
Real Estate, Funds, or Business — You Choose the Path.
To qualify for Cyprus permanent residency, applicants must invest a minimum of EUR 300,000 into one of three government-approved options:
Real Estate Investment: Purchase of residential or commercial property from a Cypriot developer (new build).
Cypriot Company Investment: Capital injection into a local company employing at least 5 citizens or residents.
Investment Fund: Purchase of units in a Cyprus-registered Alternative Investment Fund (AIF, RAIF or UCITS).
In addition, applicants must maintain a secure annual income of EUR 50,000 sourced from outside Cyprus, with additional amounts required per dependent.
All applicants must pass due diligence, demonstrate health insurance, and pay a modest application fee.
Our team manages each step — from onboarding through biometrics and issuance of your Cyprus Permanent Residency Card.
Minimal Presence, Maximum Access: Who Can Apply & What’s Required.
Cyprus residency is designed for low-maintenance lifestyle holders. To retain the permit, applicants need only visit Cyprus once every two years — there are no minimum days required per year. However, citizenship eligibility requires physical presence and longer-term residence.
Applicants must be 18+, pass due diligence checks, hold a clean criminal record, and maintain medical insurance. The application can include spouses, dependent children up to age 25, and parents.
Permits are issued indefinitely and do not require renewal unless circumstances change. Cyprus is ideal for high-net-worth individuals who want an EU base without heavy relocation requirements.
No Global Tax Surprises: How Cyprus Keeps Your Earnings Efficient.
Cyprus offers one of the most attractive tax regimes in Europe. Non-tax residents (those spending fewer than 183 days per year in Cyprus) are not taxed on foreign income.
Even for tax residents, Cyprus maintains a progressive personal income tax system, with no tax on dividends, no wealth tax, and no inheritance tax.
The corporate tax rate is 12.5%, among the lowest in the EU. There is also a non-domicile regime: new residents who qualify are exempt from Special Defence Contribution, meaning no tax on worldwide dividends or passive income for 17 years.
Double taxation agreements are in place with over 65 countries. This setup makes Cyprus ideal for entrepreneurs, retirees, and global investors.
Discover the programme that’s right for you
Speak with our Private Client Advisors to discover the ideal solution tailored to you.
What Are the Procedures and Timeline for the Cyprus Residency by Investment Program?
The Cyprus Permanent Residency Programme takes just 2–3 months to process. Once Free From Borders completes due diligence and you make your qualifying investment, we prepare and submit your application to Cyprus authorities. You’ll then visit Cyprus for biometrics, and your residency card is issued shortly after. Citizenship is possible after 7 years of physical residency.
Can I retain Cyprus residency while keeping my current passport?
Yes, Cyprus residency is fully compatible with your existing citizenship. The programme has no requirement to renounce your original passport, and dual citizenship is permitted if you pursue naturalisation.
Legal Basis for Cyprus Residency by Investment:
The legal foundation is based on Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations, under the Civil Registry and Migration Department of Cyprus, governing permanent residency for third-country nationals through investment.
Which countries can I travel to in the EU with a Cyprus residency permit?
Once Cyprus joins the Schengen Area (targeted for 2026), residency permit holders will enjoy visa-free travel to:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
We advise consulting with your Free From Borders advisor for the most up-to-date information at the time of your application. We are not responsible for any changes to the above that occur during or after your application is completed, as these changes are beyond our control and at the discretion of foreign governments' border policies.
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