Cyprus Golden Visa: 2026 Guide

TThe Cyprus Golden Visa, also known as the Permanent Residence Programme, is a residency-by-investment program that allows non-EU nationals and their families to live in Cyprus permanently. To qualify, you need to invest at least €300,000 in approved assets, such as property or a Cyprus-based company, and prove a minimum annual income of €50,000 from abroad. The program is popular because it gives investors permanent residency for life, tax benefits for non-domiciled residents, and a path to European citizenship after several years of living in Cyprus. It also has a relatively fast processing time of around 6 months and requires you to visit Cyprus only once every 2 years.

1. Low investment: One of the lowest real estate investments required in Europe, with the potential for return on investment (ROI).
2. Family inclusion: The program covers the applicant’s spouse, dependent children, and unmarried adult children who are studying.
3. Geographical advantage: Cyprus provides easy access to the EU, the Middle East, and Africa, opening up opportunities for business expansion and growth.
4. Tax optimization: The Cyprus non-domiciled tax program helps reduce your tax burden by offering 0% tax on dividends and interest.
5. Citizenship pathway: After residing in Cyprus for seven years with a Golden Visa, applicants can apply for citizenship and obtain a Cypriot Golden passport that ranks 34th on our Global Passport Index with access to visa free and visa on arrival 178 countries.
6. Residency maintenance: No need to live in Cyprus full-time, but applicants must visit at least once every two years to maintain residency.
7. Exit flexibility: Investors can sell their property after five years, provided they maintain an investment worth at least €300,000.
8. Lifestyle benefits: The program allows applicants to live, work, and study in Cyprus while enjoying access to quality healthcare, education, and a high standard of living in a warm climate with English as the main language.

In May 2023, Cyprus introduced new rules for the Golden Visa, updating the requirements for dependents and proof of income. These changes set the new eligibility criteria for permanent residency.

• Applicants must invest at least €300,000 in one of the approved investment options.
• The main applicant must have a secured annual income of at least €50,000, plus €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per dependent child. This income must come from abroad and may include salaries, pensions, dividends, interest, or rental income. It must be proven through a tax return declaration from the applicant’s country of tax residence, and the spouse’s income can also be considered.
• Applicants must provide a clean criminal record from their home country and any country where they have lived in recent years.
• Evidence of accommodation in Cyprus (where investment is commercial spaces, company shares or investment funds, per above).
• While there is no minimum stay requirement, the applicant must visit Cyprus at least once every two years to maintain residency.
• A complete declaration of intention not to work in the Republic is required, except for being a company director.

Who can be included as dependents?

• Spouses and children under the age of 18 (same-sex marriage not yet recognized).
• Children between 18-25 if:
  • Are students in a Cyprus tertiary education institution?
  • Are unmarried;
  • Bring documents to prove student status.
  • Apply separately for a student visa.
  • The parents satisfy the income requirements

Ongoing requirements (after approval)

Since May 2023, applicants must provide proof every year to the Civil Registry and Migration Department to show they meet stricter rules:

• The investment is maintained
• That he/she maintains the same required income that is defined for him/her and his/her dependents
• That he/she still retains an active insurance policy for himself/her and his/her dependents
• The applicant must submit a clean criminal record certificate from himself/herself and dependents from their country of origin and from the Republic of Cyprus.

These are the main routes to qualify for the Cyprus Golden Visa.

• Buy a residential property: You can qualify by investing at least €300,000 (excluding VAT) in a new residential property. You need to pay at least €200,000 plus VAT before applying. The funds have to come from abroad and be transferred through a local bank. 
• Buy a commercial property: You can invest at least €300,000 (excluding VAT) in commercial real estate, such as offices, shops, or hotels. You can purchase one or more properties to meet the requirement. These properties can be resold later, which give investors more flexibility.
• Invest in the share capital of a Cypriot company: You can qualify by investing at least €300,000 in a Cyprus-based company. The company must have a physical presence and employ at least five Cypriot or EU citizens. You can own shares, manage the business, and earn income through dividends.
• Invest in an approved Cyprus investment fund: You can invest €300,000 in a regulated Cyprus investment fund, such as an AIF, UCITS, or RAIF. The fund should be approved by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and based in Cyprus. You must provide proof of your investment.

The documents you need for your application depend on your investment choice for permanent residency. Authorities may ask for extra documents if needed. It’s best to get help from an immigration expert to understand all the requirements.

In general, the following documents are needed for the Cypriot Golden Visa:

• Application form – Completed and signed Golden Visa application.
• Valid passport – Copies of passports for the applicant and any dependents.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) – A detailed CV showing your education and work experience.
• Proof of investment – Contract of sale or title deed for the purchased property in Cyprus, OR Bank transfer receipts showing a minimum investment of €300,000.
• Proof of funds source – Bank statements confirming where the investment funds came from. Employment contract (if applicable).
• Annual income proof – Documents showing an annual foreign income of at least €50,000 (plus €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per child). Acceptable proof includes tax returns or bank statements.
• Criminal record certificate – Original certificate from the applicant’s country of residence. Must be officially translated into English and required for applicants 16 and older.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable) – Certified and officially translated into English.
• Children’s birth certificates (if applicable) – Certified copies with proof of dependency (e.g., school enrollment letters).
• Health insurance – Coverage proof for all family members.
• Passport-sized photos – Recent photos for each applicant.
• Statement of intent – A signed declaration stating that the applicant will not work in Cyprus except as a company director.

Legalizing documents

All documents must be officially translated into Greek or English. If your country is part of the Apostille Convention, an Apostille stamp is required; otherwise, it must be legalized by both your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. Preparation and eligibility check with GCS

Before you begin, confirm that you meet the requirements, you can do this professionally by speaking to our legal professional at Global Citizen Solutions to help assess your eligibility and give you the best strategy before making your investment. Some of the requirements that need to be met before moving forward is having a clean criminal record and proving a minimum annual income of €50,000, plus €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per child.

2. Choose and complete your Investment

You have to complete your investment before submitting your application. The most common option is buying a property worth at least €300,000 (plus VAT), with at least €200,000 paid upfront. Alternatively, you can invest €300,000 into a Cypriot company or an approved investment fund. The funds must be transferred from a bank account outside Cyprus.

3. Prepare and legalize your documents

You will need to collect all official documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police clearance certificates. These have to be properly legalized with an Apostille stamp. All documents must also be translated into English or Greek by certified translators. 

4. Submit your application

When working with Global Citizen Solutions, we will play the role of being your legal representative, and we will submit your application to the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Cyprus. At this stage, you pay a €500 government fee.

5. Get approval and provide biometrics

Once your application is approved, you and your family need to travel to Cyprus to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and photos. This must be done within one year of approval, and you will also pay €70 per person for the Alien Registration Certificate (ARC).

6. Receive your residence permit

After your biometric appointment, your residence permit card will be issued within 30 to 45 days. This gives you permanent residency in Cyprus.

Getting citizenship through the Cyprus Golden Visa is a long-term process. Even though the program does give investors permanent residency first, getting a passport means you must first become a naturalized citizen, integrate into Cypriot society, and meet these requirements.

• You must live in Cyprus for 7 years (2,555 days) within a 10-year period
• You must live there full-time for the last 12 months before applying
• During that final year, you can only be away for up to 90 days total.
• Pass a Greek language test: B1 level
• Civic knowledge test: You have to score at least 60%, and the test covers basic knowledge of the Cyprus society and government.

In Cyprus, you can become a tax resident by meeting either of the following conditions:

• Spend 183 days or more in Cyprus within a calendar year or
• Qualify under the 60-day rule, which requires:
  • Spending at least 60 days in Cyprus
  • Having Cyprus as your main base for business or employment
  • Owning or renting a permanent residence in Cyprus
  • Not being a tax resident in any other country

Tax benefits for residents and non-residents in Cyprus

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.