Cyprus · Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence in Cyprus
Founders and investors can reach permanent status in Cyprus two ways: a EUR 300,000 investment under Regulation 6(2), decided in about two months, or EU-style long-term resident status after five years of legal residence.
- Startup route
- Cyprus Startup Visa
- Minimum capital
- No fixed minimum; innovation score or EUR 1M revenue
- Permanent residence
- 5 years for long-term resident status
- Citizenship
- 7 of 10 years plus 12 months; Greek at B1
Immigration Permit for investors (Regulation 6(2))
Cyprus grants a permanent Immigration Permit to non-EU investors under Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations, through an expedited procedure. The criteria in force are the 4th revision, effective 2 May 2023. The investor places at least EUR 300,000 in one of four categories: a new house or apartment bought from a development company, other real estate such as offices, shops or hotels, share capital of a Cyprus company that employs at least five people, or units of a Cyprus collective investment fund. The funds must come from abroad. The applicant also proves secure annual income of at least EUR 50,000, and the permit covers a spouse and children under 18.
- Minimum investment
- EUR 300,000 (plus VAT on new homes)
- Annual income
- EUR 50,000, plus EUR 15,000 spouse, EUR 10,000 per child
- Government fee
- EUR 500, plus EUR 70 per person for registration
- Processing time
- About 2 months from a complete application
- Validity
- Unlimited right; residence card replaced every 10 years
- Work
- No employment, except as director of the invested company
Requirements
- Investment funds transferred from abroad, from the applicant's or spouse's account or from a company they solely own.
- Official payment receipts for at least EUR 300,000, excluding VAT, filed with the application whatever the property delivery date.
- Clean criminal record certificates for the applicant and spouse from the country of origin and the country of residence.
- Health insurance covering inpatient and outpatient care for the applicant and dependants.
- A statement that the applicant and spouse will not take up employment, apart from directorships in the company they invested in.
- Proof of accommodation in Cyprus when the investment is not a home.
How to apply
- Make the qualifying investment and keep evidence that the money came from abroad, not from local borrowing.
- Complete form MIP2 with the document checklist, income affidavit and non-employment statement, all officially translated and certified.
- Submit in person at the Migration Department or through an authorized representative, paying EUR 500 plus registration fees.
- After approval, take up residence in Cyprus within one year and prove every year that the investment is maintained.
Long-term resident status
Third-country nationals who have lived legally and continuously in the government-controlled areas for the five years before applying, and who hold a valid residence permit, can apply for long-term resident status. Absences shorter than six consecutive months, and totaling no more than ten months over the five years, do not break the count. Students, people residing only on a temporary basis and holders of formally restricted permits are excluded. The first long-term residence permit is valid for five years and is renewed on form MLT3. For startup founders, the official practical guide links a successful company review to the prospect of this status.
- Qualifying period
- 5 years of legal, continuous residence
- Absences allowed
- Under 6 months at a time; 10 months in total
- Government fee
- EUR 30 per application
- Processing time
- 6–12 months for a first application
- Validity
- 5 years, renewable on form MLT3
Requirements
- A valid Cyprus residence permit on the day of application.
- Five years of legal and continuous residence immediately before applying.
- Form MLT3 with the listed original documents, officially translated and certified.
- Biometric data captured at the Migration Department or the police district unit.
How to apply
- Check the five-year count and all absences against passport stamps.
- File form MLT3 with original documents at the Migration Department in Nicosia.
- Pay the EUR 30 fee and provide biometrics.
- Renew three months before expiry; online renewal through Cy Login opens 90 to 30 days before.
Keeping permanent status in Cyprus
Both routes can be lost. An investor's Immigration Permit lapses if the family does not take up residence within a year of approval, acquires permanent residence abroad, or stays away from Cyprus for two years. Selling the investment without immediately replacing it with one of equal or greater value cancels the permits of the investor and every dependant. Investors must prove each year that the investment is still held, keep health cover if they no longer benefit from GESY, and file new criminal record certificates every three years. Long-term resident status can be withdrawn after twelve consecutive months outside the EU or six years away from Cyprus.
Questions and answers
Is Cyprus permanent residence by investment still open in 2026?
Yes. The Migration Department continues to publish the Regulation 6(2) criteria for investors, in the 4th revision that took effect on 2 May 2023. The core test is a EUR 300,000 investment in one of four categories plus secure annual income of at least EUR 50,000, with applications handled under an expedited procedure of about two months.
Can a resale home qualify for Cyprus permanent residence?
Not for the house or apartment category, which requires a first sale by a development company, unless the sale contract was filed with the Department of Lands and Surveys before 7 May 2013. Other real estate, such as offices, shops or hotels, may come from a resale. Up to two homes can be combined to reach the threshold.
Can adult children be included in a Cyprus investor permit?
Unmarried children aged 18 to 25 who study abroad and depend on the investor can file their own application if the parents show EUR 10,000 of extra annual income per child. Adult children who are not dependent need a larger investment: EUR 600,000 for one such child and EUR 900,000 for two.
Does the Cyprus Startup Visa lead directly to permanent residence?
No. The Startup Visa gives a temporary right to live and run the company. Founders whose startup passes the growth review have the prospect of long-term resident status, which requires five years of legal and continuous residence. A founder with sufficient means could also apply separately for the EUR 300,000 investor permit.
Official sources
- Immigration Permits for Investors - Migration Departmentwww.gov.cy
- Acquisition of the status of long-term resident in the Republic - Migration Departmentwww.gov.cy
- Renewal of long-term status in the Republic - Migration Departmentwww.gov.cy
- Cyprus Startup Visa Scheme - Practical Guide (DMRID)www.gov.cy
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Cyprus.
Startup visa
DMRID approval of an innovative startup; scheme open until December 2026
02Temporary residence
Residence and work permit from the Migration Department, renewed while approved
03Permanent residence
Long-term status after 5 years, or a EUR 300,000 investor permit
04Citizenship
Naturalization after 7 of 10 years plus 12 months, with Greek at B1