Cyprus offers a pathway to permanent residence for non-EU nationals through what is commonly known as the Cyprus Golden Visa. Officially, however, this status is called the Immigration Permit for Investors under Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations.
While the marketing term “Golden Visa” helps investors find information, it’s important to stress the legal name throughout for accuracy. This program should not be confused with the now-defunct Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), which was permanently abolished on 1 November 2020 following systemic misuse and EU criticism.
The current residency by investment scheme is entirely separate, focused on long-term residence rights rather than citizenship or passport issuance.
What is the Cyprus Golden Visa?
In simple terms, the Cyprus Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that allows non-EU nationals and their families to secure the right to live in Cyprus on a long-term basis. By investing a set minimum amount into property, business, or funds, applicants can anchor themselves in one of the Mediterranean’s most appealing EU countries.
This scheme, unlike short-term visas or temporary permits, caters to individuals seeking stability and continuity. Once approved, holders receive permanent residence status that can be renewed indefinitely, provided they meet the ongoing conditions.
For many, the attraction lies not only in the program itself but also in what Cyprus offers: a strategic location bridging Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, a safe environment for families, favourable tax structures, and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle.
The program offers:
- Permanent residence in Cyprus, along with a 10-year renewable residence card.
- Family inclusion, covering spouse and dependent children.
- Fast processing, typically around 2–3 months.
- Work restrictions, since employment in Cyprus is not permitted under this route.
- EU living benefits, including access to healthcare, education, and lifestyle advantages of living in an EU member state.
What Changed in 2023?
Effective 2 May 2023, Cyprus revised Regulation 6(2) permanent residence rules. The key updates were:
- Income threshold clarified: €50,000 for the main applicant, €15,000 for a spouse, and €10,000 per minor child.
- Parents and parents-in-law are now excluded from dependent eligibility.
- Criminal record certificates are required every three years instead of annually.
- New annual compliance: investors must demonstrate that the investment is maintained, family members are covered by health insurance, and (depending on interpretation) income criteria remain satisfied.
- Residence activation clarified: successful applicants must take up residence within one year of approval; prolonged absences risk cancellation of the permit.
Benefits of Obtaining a Cyprus Golden Visa
For many investors and families, the Cyprus Golden Visa offers more than just a piece of paper; it's a route to opportunities in the European Union.
Key Benefits
For investors who value flexibility without mandatory relocation, it stands out as one of the most attractive residence-by-investment options in Europe.
Cyprus Golden Visa Eligibility & Requirements
To qualify for Cyprus permanent residence under Regulation 6(2), applicants must satisfy all core pillars below and keep them in excellent standing after approval.
Who qualifies as a dependant?
- Spouse or registered partner – included in the main application.
- Children under 18 – automatically included.
- Unmarried children aged 18–25 – only if they are full-time students, financially dependent, and applying through a linked file, require an additional €10,000 income allowance per child.
- Parents and parents-in-law – no longer eligible since May 2023.
Documentation is usually required: passports, marriage or birth certificates (translated and legalised), proof of student status, proof of dependency, and any name-changing records.
What changed in 2023?
- Income rules clarified: €50,000 for the applicant, €15,000 for a spouse, and €10,000 per child.
- Dependent scope narrowed: parents and in-laws removed from eligibility.
- Criminal record checks: now required every three years instead of annually.
- Ongoing compliance: proof that the investment is maintained, health insurance is active, and income remains secure may be requested.
- Residence activation: applicants must take up residence within one year and long absences (over two years) lead to cancellation.
Investment Options (How to Qualify with €300,000)
To obtain a Cyprus Golden Visa, you must invest at least €300,000 from abroad in one of four approved categories. Here’s how each route works:
New Residential Property (First-Sale Rule)
This is the most popular path, chosen by the majority of applicants. It allows investors to secure permanent residence by buying new residential property directly from a developer.
The property serves as both a qualifying investment and a potential family home or rental asset.
- Buy one or two new houses/apartments with a total value of €300,000+.
- Must be a first sale from a development company (resales not allowed).
- VAT applies (standard 19% or reduced 5% for primary residence).
- Properties must be registered at the Land Registry.
Commercial Real Estate (Resales Allowed)
This route appeals to those looking at Cyprus for business opportunities rather than a home base.
By investing in offices, shops, or hotel units, you can qualify for permanent residence while holding income-generating assets in a growing service economy.
- Offices, shops, hotels, or mixed-use properties total €300,000+.
- Resale properties are eligible.
- Can combine more than one property.
- Must comply with zoning and registration rules.
Cyprus Company Shares
Designed for entrepreneurs and active investors, this option allows you to buy into a Cyprus-registered company.
The government requires that the business have real operations and at least five local employees, ensuring your investment contributes to the economy.
- Invest €300,000+ in share capital of a Cyprus-registered company.
- Company must be physically based in Cyprus.
- Must employ at least five people locally.
- Investor may be a shareholder and director (income via dividends).
Investment Funds
For those preferring a hands-off approach, Cyprus offers the chance to invest through regulated funds.
By subscribing to units in a local AIF, AIFLNP, or RAIF, investors can meet the €300,000 threshold while leaving asset management to professional fund managers.
- Invest €300,000+ in units of a regulated Cyprus fund (AIF, AIFLNP, or RAIF).
- Fund assets must be held in Cyprus.
- Regulated under CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission).
How Much Does the Cyprus Golden Visa Cost?
Applying for Cyprus permanent residence by investment involves two sets of costs: official government fees (fixed and predictable) and transactional costs (which vary by investment route, family size, and service providers).
Government Fees
These fees are established by law and must be paid directly to the CRMD or the relevant authority.
Transactional Costs (Estimates / Ranges)
Beyond official fees, applicants face a range of transactional and professional costs depending on their chosen investment route:
- Property VAT: 19% standard rate; 5% reduced rate possible for the first 200m² of the main residence (conditions apply).
- Stamp duty: 0.15–0.20% of purchase price.
- Land registry transfer fees: 3–8% (scaled, waived if VAT already paid).
- Notary & legal fees: ~1–2% of transaction value; varies by firm.
- Corporate setup & annual costs (for Route C): €1,500–€3,000 setup, €2,000+ annual compliance.
- Translations & legalisation: €30–€80 per page, plus Apostille/consular fees.
- Banking fees: wire transfers (€30–€100 per transfer), account opening (€200–€500).
- Insurance premiums: €300–€700 per person annually (private cover), or lower for GeSY enrolment.
These are indicative market ranges; actual costs vary by provider, contract size, and family composition.
Financial Requirements (Income & Funds)
Alongside the €300,000 investment, applicants must demonstrate a secure, ongoing income and prove that their funds come from legitimate, transparent sources.
These financial requirements are critical to meeting the Cyprus Golden Visa standards.
Minimum Income Thresholds
Applicants must show a secure annual income of at least €50,000, with add-ons for family members: €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 for each minor child.
Source types
- Salaries or pensions.
- Dividends from shares.
- Interest on deposits.
- Rental income.
➡️ For Route A (residential property): income must come entirely from abroad.
➡️ For Routes B, C, and D: part of the income may arise in Cyprus (e.g., dividends from the invested company).
Proof pack
- Latest foreign tax return.
- Accountant’s certificate verifying income.
- Bank statements showing regular inflows.
Funds Origin & AML Notes
Authorities scrutinise the origins of the €300,000 investment to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) standards.
Funds must be lawful, clearly traceable, and transferred directly from the applicant’s or spouse’s account abroad.
Documents usually required
- Bank reference letter.
- SWIFT/MT103 transfer slips.
- KYC or due diligence documents on counterparties (if requested).
Common pitfalls
- Third-party gifts or transfers without proper documentation.
- Cash deposits without an audit trail.
- Using opaque corporate structures to disguise fund ownership.
Family Members – Who Qualifies for the Cyprus Golden Visa
The Cyprus residence permit for investors is designed to cover the applicant’s immediate family. The rules were tightened in May 2023, so eligibility is narrower than in past years.
Family Inclusion Paths (Flow at a Glance)
- At initial application: Spouse and children under 18 can be included directly in the main file.
- Later additions:
- Dependent students (18–25) file separately but are linked to the parent’s permit.
- Their permit remains valid even if they later turn 25, marry, or cease studies, but they cannot bring in their own dependents under it.
- Not possible: Parents and in-laws cannot be added under the investor’s file since 2023.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- ❌ Mislabelling adult children (those over 18) as if they can be added directly.
- ❌ Forgetting to provide full proof of student status and financial dependency for 18–25 year-olds.
- ❌ Overlooking the €10,000 extra income requirement per dependent student.
Cyprus Golden Visa Application Process
Applying for the Cyprus Permanent Residence Permit is a structured process. Below you’ll find each phase, how long it usually takes, and what to expect along the way.
🔑 Note: The process is straightforward if documentation is in order, but missing translations or unclear proof of funds often cause delays. Using a Cyprus-based legal representative can help streamline filings.
Cyprus Golden Visa Documents & Forms Checklist
Getting the paperwork right is 80% of the job. Below is a concise, Cyprus-specific checklist for Regulation 6(2) applications.
Authorities can ask for extras, but if you gather the items below up front, your file will move faster.
Legalising & Translating Documents
- Language: Any foreign document must be translated into Greek or English by an approved translator (or a sworn translator where applicable).
- Legalisation:
- Countries in the Hague Convention require an Apostille.
- Others require consular legalisation (authentication by Cyprus’s consular services or per CRMD instruction).
- Validity windows: Police clearances are typically accepted only if recent (e.g., within 6 months). Check dates on insurance, bank letters, and student confirmations.
- Consistency matters: Names, dates of birth, and addresses must match across passports, certificates, contracts, and bank documents. Resolve discrepancies before filing.
- Keep originals + copies: CRMD may need to see the initials and retain certified copies. Bring both to avoid repeat visits.
After Approval: Activation & Ongoing Compliance
Approval is only the first step. To keep Cyprus permanent residence valid, you must activate it within one year and continue meeting a set of ongoing conditions.
The table below summarises everything in one place.
Path to Cyprus Citizenship
Permanent residence can eventually open the door to Cypriot citizenship, and with it, full EU rights. Here’s how the pathway works:
- Minimum residence period: You must live legally in Cyprus for at least seven years (with the final 12 months continuous).
- Good character & clean record: Applicants must demonstrate integrity and provide updated criminal record certificates.
- Language & integration: A basic command of Greek (currently Level B1) and knowledge of Cypriot society are required.
- Application process: Submit a naturalisation application through the Civil Registry and Migration Department. Processing is not automatic; approval depends on meeting all criteria.
- Family inclusion: Spouses and dependent children can also apply once they meet residence and integration requirements.
Why it matters: Cypriot citizenship gives full EU rights, freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in the Union, plus visa-free travel to 160+ countries.
Rights & Restrictions
Cyprus permanent residence provides long-term stability and family security, but it is not a free pass to work or travel across the EU. Here’s what you can and cannot do:
Rights
- Live in Cyprus indefinitely with your family.
- Enrol children in local schools (public or private).
- Access healthcare through private insurance or the GeSY system.
- Own and register property in Cyprus.
- Act as a shareholder or director of a Cyprus company, receiving dividends as income.
Restrictions
- No salaried employment in Cyprus (except business ownership/dividends).
- No Schengen mobility benefits: Cyprus PR does not grant visa-free EU travel.
- Does not automatically make you a tax resident; you must meet the 183- or 60-day rule separately.
- Does not lead directly to citizenship; naturalisation requires 7+ years of residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Movingto for Your Cyprus Golden Visa
The Cyprus Golden Visa offers something rare in Europe: a fast, reliable route to permanent residence with a one-time investment and minimal ongoing obligations.
It gives families long-term security in Cyprus while keeping future options open, from enjoying the island lifestyle today to pursuing EU citizenship down the road.
At Movingto, we understand that success with this permit isn’t just about meeting the numbers. It’s about navigating the details: making the right investment choice, preparing compliant paperwork, and staying on top of ongoing obligations so your status is never at risk.
Our role is to cut through the confusion, compare your options across programs, and connect you with vetted legal partners in Cyprus who handle the process end to end.
Whether you’re at the stage of exploring if Cyprus is right for you, or you’re ready to start your application today, we’re here to guide you step by step.
Ready to Secure Your Cyprus Golden Visa?
At Movingto, we guide you through every step of the Cyprus Golden Visa process — from choosing the right investment option to filing a compliant application and staying on top of ongoing requirements. Our trusted legal partners in Cyprus ensure a smooth, reliable path to permanent residence.
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