Cyprus Permanent Residency by Investment
Europe's most powerful tax shelter for private wealth. 0% on dividends and interest. Immediate permanent residence.
Cyprus grants immediate permanent residence on a €300,000 property investment and offers 17 years of 0% personal tax on dividends and interest income for new residents. For investors who hold substantial income-generating assets, no European residency programme delivers comparable after-tax returns.
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Key Fact regarding Cyprus Residency
Cyprus is not the headline programme. It is the specialist's choice. An English common law jurisdiction, the EU's second lowest corporate tax rate, and a non-dom regime with no equivalent in the European Union for HNW investors holding significant dividend and interest income.
€300,000 (new property from developer, company shares, or CIF fund units)
2–3 months
Visit Cyprus at least once every 2 years
Cyprus is NOT in Schengen (see Tax & Financial section)
€30,000+ sourced from outside Cyprus
Permanent. No renewal required once granted.
Spouse and minor children; adult children may apply separately.
Via naturalization. 7 years of actual residence plus language/integration requirements.
Why Cyprus is the Right Structure for Private Wealth
Two routes. One outcome.
- The most widely used route. Purchase one or more new residential properties from a developer with a combined purchase price of €300,000 or above (excluding VAT).
- The property must be new; resale properties do not qualify.
- The property may be used as a primary or secondary residence or let commercially.
- Investment in the share capital of a Cyprus-registered company that employs a minimum of 5 people in Cyprus.
- The employment threshold must be met and maintained.
- This route suits clients who intend to establish a Cyprus business operating entity alongside their residency.
- Investment into qualifying Cyprus Investment Fund units. The fund must be regulated and domiciled in Cyprus.
- This route does not require property acquisition or business establishment and may suit clients who prefer a financial instrument investment.
Annual Income Requirement — All Routes
All Category F applicants must demonstrate an annual income of at least €30,000 from sources outside Cyprus. Income earned inside Cyprus does not qualify. This threshold increases by €5,000 per dependent family member. Income may come from employment abroad, investment income, rental income, pension income, or business distributions from outside Cyprus.
What Your Permit Covers
Permanent residence from the date of approval. One visit every two years to maintain it. No annual renewal process.
Permanent residence permit in Cyprus, granted from the date of approval
No renewal requirement once the permit is issued
Minimum physical presence: one visit to Cyprus every 2 years
Permit extended to spouse and minor children
Adult children may apply separately for their own Category F permits
Access to Cyprus's private healthcare sector and international schools
Eligibility to apply for Cyprus citizenship via naturalization after 7 years of actual continuous residence
Cyprus permanent residence does not carry Schengen zone rights. This is a material limitation that Aegir addresses directly with every client.
How the Application Works
- We assess your income sources, investment profile, and tax position. We confirm that your €30,000 annual income from non-Cyprus sources meets the programme threshold and advise on how to document this correctly. We also coordinate with your tax advisors on the non-dom structuring opportunity.
- For the property route, our Cyprus property network assists you in identifying new developer properties at or above the €300,000 threshold. We review developer credentials, title deed status, and contract terms before your commitment. For the CIF or company share routes, we connect you with regulated Cypriot fund managers or legal counsel as appropriate.
- We prepare your complete application package: passports, proof of investment, income documentation, criminal record certificates, health insurance confirmation, and a declaration of assets and liabilities. Cyprus immigration authorities require comprehensive financial transparency.
- Your completed file is submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department of Cyprus. We manage all correspondence and respond to any requests for additional documentation.
- The authority reviews your application. Processing typically takes 2–3 months. We track progress and advise you throughout.
- Upon approval, you visit Cyprus for a biometric appointment. Your permanent residence permit card is issued. Family members complete the same biometric step. Your permit is permanent from this point, subject to the once-every-two-years visit condition.
Questions About Cyprus Permanent Residency
0% Tax on Dividends and Interest: 17 Years
A qualifying Cyprus non-dom resident pays no tax on global dividend and interest income for 17 years, whether or not the income is brought into Cyprus. Over time, the savings are substantial.
12.5% Corporate Tax
Cyprus corporate income tax is 12.5%, the second lowest in the EU. For owners setting up a Cyprus operating or holding entity alongside their residency, the combined position is strong.
Capital Gains Tax
Cyprus capital gains tax applies only to gains on the disposal of property located in Cyprus. Gains on global securities, foreign real estate, and business interests are exempt.
EU Membership and Tax Treaties
Cyprus is a full EU member and party to over 65 double-taxation treaties, including the UAE, China, India, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Your residency situation is specific. The advice you receive should be too.
A free, confidential consultation gives us the information we need to assess your options accurately.
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Roberta Wende Client Coordinator
Your Cyprus Residency Specialists
Maria Kyriakou
Senior Advisor, South Asia & Indian Ocean Desk
Panagiotis Georgiou
Non-Dom Tax Structuring Specialist
Questions About Cyprus Permanent Residency
No. This is the most important limitation to understand about the Cyprus programme. Cyprus is a European Union member state, but it is not in the Schengen Area. Cyprus permanent residents cannot travel across Schengen borders without the visa requirements that apply to their nationality. If Schengen access is a priority, Aegir Global will discuss whether a complementary programme (Hungary, Portugal, Greece, or Bulgaria) is appropriate for your situation alongside Cyprus.
Once you become a Cyprus tax resident and are classified as non-domiciled, you are exempt from Special Defence Contribution on dividend and interest income for 17 consecutive years. The exemption runs from the date you become tax resident, not from the date of permit issuance. Becoming tax resident in Cyprus requires spending more than 183 days per year there, or meeting the "60-day rule" under specific conditions. Your Cyprus tax position should be structured from the outset with qualified legal and tax counsel.
No, not continuously. The only physical presence requirement is a visit to Cyprus at least once every 2 years. This is a meaningful condition — it must be met. But it is not a residency requirement. Most clients visit Cyprus several times a year anyway. Aegir Global's client management service tracks this and ensures every client meets the condition.
The Category F route specifies new property from a developer to qualify for residency purposes. Resale properties do not satisfy this particular requirement. The €300,000 threshold applies to the contract purchase price excluding VAT (which is 19% in Cyprus for new residential property, with a reduced 5% rate available in certain cases for primary residences). Our team will clarify the applicable rate for your property.
Yes, but only through standard naturalization after 7 years of actual, continuous physical residence in Cyprus. This requires living in Cyprus for the majority of the year for 7 consecutive years and meeting language and integration requirements. It is a realistic pathway only for clients who genuinely relocate to Cyprus. The separate citizenship-by-investment route that was previously available was discontinued in 2020 and is not available.