Permanent Residence Permit

Cyprus offers foreign nationals a simplified, fast-track route to permanent residence. The current processing time is 6 to 8 months. It was previously around 2 months, but timeframes have lengthened due to the high number of applicants.

Benefits of the fast-track procedure

  • The permit has unlimited, life-long validity.
  • It is granted not only to the applicant, but also to their spouse, minor children, and financially dependent adult children up to 25 years of age (if unmarried).
  • Holders are free to enter and live in Cyprus without needing a visa.
  • There is no obligation to relocate. You simply need to visit Cyprus once every two years to keep the permit active.
  • You and your family gain a second home in Cyprus.
  • Holding the permit does not, in itself, affect your tax liability in Cyprus.
  • Actual residence in Cyprus may lead to eligibility for citizenship by naturalisation, currently after 7 years (2,555 days) of stay within a 10-year period.

Investment criteria

To qualify under the fast-track procedure, the applicant must make an investment of at least €300,000 (plus VAT, where applicable) in one of the approved investment categories.

Category A: residential property

Invest in a house or apartment. The property should be new and purchased directly from a developer. You may buy up to two housing units, and they do not have to be from the same developer.

The applicant must submit a title of ownership or a contract of purchase, with a payment of at least €300,000 (net of VAT) made in order to file the application. Evidence must show that the investment funds came from abroad, from the bank account of the applicant and/or their spouse, into the seller's account at a Cyprus bank.

Investment in resale property is also possible, provided the sale agreement was registered with the Land Registry before 05/07/2013.

If the property chosen cannot meet the housing needs of dependent family members, the applicant should indicate one or more additional properties that will serve as their place of residence (for example, by title deed, sales agreement, or rental agreement).

The purchase is also accepted when made by a legal entity in which the applicant and/or their spouse are the sole shareholders or final beneficiaries, and which is legally established in Cyprus or in another member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area.

Speak with our legal partner

The residence-permit process is handled by our trusted legal partners in Cyprus, who guide you through eligibility, documents, and timelines. Get in touch and we'll connect you.