Key facts
- Who it is for
- Non-EU nationals (third-country investors)
- Minimum investment
- €300,000 plus VAT in a new home from a developer, or €300,000 in other qualifying investments
- Income required
- €50,000 a year, plus €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per child
- Family
- Spouse and children under 18; students aged 18 to 25 can apply separately
- Duration
- Unlimited, if the conditions are kept
- Processing time
- About two months, according to the Migration Department
What the Cyprus golden visa is
What is popularly called the Cyprus golden visa is the immigration permit for third-country investors under Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations. It is permanent residency: once granted, the residence right has unlimited validity, as long as you keep the investment and meet the conditions.
It is designed for non-EU nationals. EU citizens do not need it, because they can register their residence in Cyprus directly.
The four ways to invest €300,000
| Category | What qualifies |
|---|---|
| A. House or apartment | €300,000 plus VAT, bought new from a development company as a first sale; up to two units |
| B. Other real estate | €300,000 in offices, shops, hotels or similar, resales allowed |
| C. Company share capital | €300,000 in a Cyprus company with physical presence and at least five employees |
| D. Investment fund | €300,000 in units of a Cyprus collective investment organisation |
The funds must come from abroad, from an account of the applicant, the spouse or a company they own, and cannot come from borrowing in Cyprus. If you sell the investment without replacing it with one of equal or higher value, the permit is cancelled.
Category C deserves attention if you are moving a company: the same capital that funds your Cyprus company can qualify you for residency, as long as the company has real presence and employs at least five people.
Income and family
You must show a secure annual income of at least €50,000, plus €15,000 for your spouse and €10,000 for each minor child. For category A the income must come from abroad; for the other categories part of it may come from Cyprus. It can be proven with a tax return from your country of tax residence or a certificate from an independent certified accountant.
The permit covers your spouse and children under 18. Unmarried children aged 18 to 25 who study abroad and depend on you can apply separately, with an extra €10,000 of income each. Adult children who are not dependent need their own investment.
Other conditions: clean criminal records for the applicant and spouse, renewed every three years, and health insurance if you are not covered by the national health system (GESY).
The process
- Choose a qualifying investment and check that it fits the category rules.
- Buy and pay with an independent lawyer who reviews the title, the contract and the payment trail.
- File the application with the Migration Department with all supporting documents. The fee is €500, plus €70 per person for the alien registration certificate.
- Approval takes about two months according to the Migration Department.
- Collect the cards in Cyprus. If you live abroad when approved, you must take up residence in Cyprus within one year.
How it fits your tax plan
The permit is not tax residency. It gives you and your family the right to live in Cyprus. Becoming tax resident is a separate step: through the 183-day rule or the 60-day rule. Combining both is what makes Cyprus powerful for business owners: a permanent right to live in Cyprus, a company taxed at 15% and, as a non-dom resident, no defence tax on the dividends you receive (only the 2.65% GESY health contribution).
We coordinate the residency with the company relocation to Cyprus so the investment, the company and your tax residency follow one plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to invest for Cyprus permanent residency?
At least €300,000. For a house or apartment, it must be €300,000 plus VAT, bought new from a development company as a first sale. Alternatively, €300,000 in other real estate such as offices or shops, in the share capital of a Cyprus company with five employees, or in units of a Cyprus investment fund.
Does the Cyprus golden visa give EU citizenship or free movement?
No. It is permanent residency in Cyprus, not citizenship, and it does not by itself give the right to live or work in other EU countries. It does let you live in Cyprus indefinitely with your family.
Can I work in Cyprus with this permit?
The main applicant and spouse confirm they do not intend to be employed in Cyprus. Under category C, which invests in a Cyprus company's share capital, they can be appointed directors of that company, so the permit can work for business owners.
Do I have to live in Cyprus?
No minimum stay is set, but the permit can be withdrawn if you are absent from Cyprus for two consecutive years or acquire permanent residency elsewhere. In practice, visiting at least once every two years keeps it.
Is the Cyprus golden visa the same as tax residency?
No. The permit gives you the right to live in Cyprus. Tax residency depends on the days you spend and your ties: the 183-day rule or the 60-day rule. Combining both is what allows you to benefit from the non-dom regime.
Official sources and references
- Cyprus Civil Registry and Migration Department: immigration permit for third-country investors (Regulation 6(2))
- Chambers.law: amendments to the Cyprus permanent residency by investment criteria (2026)
- Deloitte Cyprus: permanent residence in Cyprus
Figures reviewed on the date shown above. Rules change: always check the source.
This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. Every case needs individual analysis.