Legal ways to obtain Cyprus permanent residency

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Updated: January 19, 2026

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Cyprus permanent residency grants non-EU citizens and their eligible dependants the right to live in Cyprus indefinitely, without the need for renewal. This status is also referred to as an immigration permit or unlimited residency.

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To qualify for permanent residency, a foreign national must meet one of the following conditions:

• legally reside in Cyprus for 5 consecutive years with a valid temporary residence permit;

• invest at least €300,000 in Cyprus;

• be married to a Cypriot citizen;

• hold permanent employment in Cyprus;

• own a company registered with the Migration Department.

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The investment route offers a fast-track procedure completed in approximately 6 months, covers the entire family and does not expire. After living in Cyprus for eight years, holders may apply for citizenship.

The scheme is based on Regulations 5 and 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations.

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ℹ️ Permanent residency categories

Cyprus permanent residency is divided into several main routes.

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1) Permanent residency by investment

This programme (“Cyprus residency by buying property”) applies to applicants who invest in Cyprus real estate and have sufficient income from abroad.

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Category 6(2) — Fast Track PR

• Minimum investment: €300,000 + VAT in a new house or apartment purchased from a developer.

• The property may consist of one or two units.

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Category F — Standard PR

• Minimum investment: €100,000 + VAT in real estate.

• Annual income from abroad: €9,568 for one applicant + €4,613 per dependant.
  This income must fully cover living expenses in Cyprus without employment.

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2) Permanent residency with the right to work

For foreign-interest companies and their personnel:

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• Category C: Investors working in their own Cyprus-based company, with foreign capital of approx. €260,000 brought from abroad.

• Category E: Highly skilled professionals with an offer of permanent employment.

 

More details are available under Cyprus business visas.

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3) Other permanent residency pathways

Long-term residence after 5 years

Non-EU nationals who have resided legally and continuously in Cyprus for five years with a valid temporary residence permit can apply for long-term PR.

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Permanent residency for EU citizens

EU nationals and their EU-citizen family members may apply after 5 years of continuous residence.

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Residency by marriage to a Cypriot citizen

Spouses of Cypriot nationals, minor children from previous marriages, and the parents of Cypriot citizens may obtain an unlimited-duration PR permit.

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💼 Fast-track PR by investment: requirements

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Real estate investment options

To qualify:

• Purchase a new residential property (house/apartment) worth min. €300,000 + VAT from a developer.

  • VAT: standard 19%, or 5% on the first 130 m² for a primary residence if the total value is under €475,000 and buildable area under 190 m².

• Purchase commercial real estate (offices, shops, hotels) worth at least €300,000 — resale allowed.

 

Additional requirements:

• The sale agreement must be filed at the Land Registry.

• At least €300,000 + VAT must be paid to the seller’s Cyprus bank account using funds transferred from abroad.

• Properties under construction are permitted.

• Property may be purchased in the name of a company owned by the applicant or spouse.

 

Other eligible investments (same €300,000 minimum)

• Shares in a Cyprus company with physical presence and at least 5 employees.

• Units in a Cyprus-based Collective Investment Organisation (AIF, AIFLNP, RAIF) — applicant must be resident in Cyprus.

If the investment is sold, it must be replaced with another of equal or greater value, meeting all requirements.

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📚 Annual income requirement

The investor must show secured annual income from abroad of:

• €50,000 for the main applicant:

• • €15,000 for the spouse

• • €10,000 per minor child

Income may include salaries, pensions, dividends, rents, interest, deposits, etc. Spouse’s income may be counted.

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👥 Family members

Covered under the same PR:

• spouse

• children under 18

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Children aged 18–25 may apply separately if they are:

• financially dependent

• unmarried

• students abroad at the time of application

• supported by an additional €10,000 of annual parental income

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They retain PR for life, even after turning 25 or no longer being dependent, but cannot add their future spouse or children as dependents.

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Adult children

Non-dependent adult children can also apply using the same investment, but:

• The investment must be multiplied by the number of adult children.

  • 1 adult child → €600,000

  • 2 adult children → €900,000

• At least 66% of the property’s market value must be paid at the time of submission.

• Each adult child must show income of €50,000 + dependants’ increments.

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Other obligations

Applicants must:

• Present a clean criminal record (renewed every 3 years).

• Not pose a security risk.

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💠 Category F — Slow-track PR

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Requirements:

Property purchase

A property purchase is not strictly mandatory, but strongly recommended.
The property may be any value and may be resale.

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Annual income

Minimum from abroad:

• €9,568 for the applicant

• • €4,613 per dependant

This is usually not enough to live in Cyprus, but it is the legal threshold.

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Bank deposit

A non-pledged deposit of €15,000–€20,000 in a Cyprus bank account.

A Cyprus bank account is mandatory.

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Dependants

Only children under 18. Their PR expires when they turn 18. Parents cannot be added.

Category F applications submitted today have significant delays — as of 2026, the Migration Department is processing 2020 submissions.

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➡️ Conditions and restrictions

• PR holders cannot work in Cyprus, but may be shareholders of a Cyprus company and receive dividends.

• Cyprus PR does not grant EU mobility or visa-free travel within the EU.

• PR holders must visit Cyprus at least once every two years.

• PR status is permanent, but the biometric card must be renewed every 10 years.

• Category F dependants lose PR at 18.

 

Annual obligations

Submitted yearly:

• Proof of retaining the initial investment

• Health insurance (unless covered by GESY)

Submitted every 3 years:

• Criminal record certificates

Failure to comply may lead to revocation.
🔺Submission of annual income proof is no longer required.

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🏦 How to obtain Cyprus permanent residency

You may qualify if you:

• lived in Cyprus for 5 years legally,

• invested €300,000 in the country,

• married a Cypriot,

• secured permanent employment, or

• established a Cyprus company.

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The fast-track investment route takes around 6 months.

 

📇 Required documents

Applicants must submit:

• Completed application form MIP2

• Passports of applicant, spouse, and children

• CV of the main applicant

• Marriage certificate (certified, translated)

• Children’s birth certificates (certified, translated)

• Criminal record certificate (certified, translated)

• Proof of annual income

• Property title or sale agreement

• Bank SWIFT and receipts of payment

• Category F: bank statement showing €15,000–€20,000

 

Documents issued abroad must be translated and certified (Apostille or Cyprus Embassy).
Russian documents do not require legalisation; translation can be done in Cyprus.

✔️ Application procedure

• Applications are submitted by a lawyer at the Migration Department in Nicosia.

• The applicant does not need to be present at submission.

• Biometrics (photo and fingerprints) must be provided before approval at any district unit.

 

Addresses of district units are listed in the text above.

After approval, the lawyer collects the cards.

 

Processing times

• Fast-track (investment): approx. 6 months

• Category F: unpredictable; as of Jan 2026, the Department is reviewing applications submitted in 2019.

 

Government fees

Fast-track and Category F

• Application fee: €500 (total for main applicant, spouse, and children under 18)

• Registration fee: €70 per person

• Adult children: €500 + €70

Investment amount: €300,000 (not included in the above fees)

 

Benefits of Cyprus permanent residency

• Lifetime validity

• Covers the entire family

• Path to citizenship after:

  • 8 years of legal residence

  • 5 years for highly skilled workers with A2 Greek, or 4 years with B1

• Residence card issued within 6 months (fast-track)

• Option to become a Cyprus tax resident with exemptions on:

  • worldwide dividends

  • passive interest

  • gains from securities

• Access to the Cyprus General Healthcare System (GESY)

• Category F offers a flexible, low-cost residency option in the EU

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Cyprus PR vs citizenship​