Cyprus citizenship - all ways to obtain it

Benefits of Cyprus Citizenship by Investment

It is a country with a developed economy and a high level of income, offering foreign investors and entrepreneurs a large number of advantages and benefits in exchange for their contribution to the local economy:

• European passport in exchange for investment
• Possible return on investment after 5 years
• Skilled English speaking workforce
• Robust regulatory environment
• Stable tax system
• Safe and stable socio-political environment
• Tax benefits and advantages
• One of the lowest income tax rates in Europe
• Favorable geographical location
• Mild Mediterranean climate
• Possibility of visa-free entry to more than 160 countries

How to obtain citizenship for unregistered spouses

If the couple is in a civil marriage, the only way to obtain a Cypriot passport is to participate in an investment program.

The program offers four types of investments:

1. Purchasing residential real estate. Minimum amount 2 million euros.
2. Purchase of commercial real estate. Minimum amount 2.5 million euros. In this case, the investor must purchase a house, apartment or villa worth at least 500,000 euros.
3. Shares of Cypriot companies. A company can be bought, created or taken part in. The minimum entry threshold is 2 million euros. As in the case of commercial real estate, the investor must buy housing for an amount of at least half a million euros.
4. Shipping industry in Cyprus. Option approved in 2021, with similar conditions: investments from 2 million and purchase of housing from half a million.

Read more about how to get a Cyprus passport by investing in the country's economy here.

Requirements and conditions

In addition to the investment itself, investors and their families must meet the following conditions:

• The main applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
• All applicants are in good health.
• No criminal record or violations of immigration laws.
• Making investments.
• Purchase of residential property in Cyprus worth at least €500,000. This property must be considered your home in Cyprus and be owned for life. This purchase can be counted towards the total investment amount, i.e. in €2,000,000, according to any option you choose.
• Availability of a residence permit or immigration permit in Cyprus.
• Personal visit to Cyprus.
• Passing a security check.
• Availability of a 6-month residence permit.

After 6 months from the date of issue of your residence card and subject to other requirements, you will receive a certificate of naturalization. After taking the oath, you receive a passport and ID card.

Cypriot citizenship for Russians

Thanks to Cyprus's accession to the EU, citizens of the country can move freely within the states that form the European Union. Other significant advantages include the opportunity to study at prestigious European universities and legal employment in well-paid positions. Birthright

Regardless of place of birth, Cypriot citizenship is assigned to children whose both parents are Cypriots. A similar right is granted to minors adopted or taken into custody by citizens of Cyprus.

Children of Russians born on the island who have a Cypriot passport can also become citizens of the country.

Marriage

The official registration of a relationship with a Cypriot man lasting more than 3 years is considered as the basis for conferring citizenship. Consent from your other half who does not have Cypriot citizenship is required.

Marriages are checked for fictitiousness by visiting the place of residence by an authorized employee. In addition to assessing everyday aspects, people living in the neighborhood are interviewed. A negative test result can result in expulsion from the state for a foreigner (such a person will no longer be able to legally return to the country). A citizen of Cyprus who decides to enter into a fictitious marriage may end up in prison.

Family reunification

The right to obtain a Cypriot passport in 2021 is given to parents and family members of a citizen who has become a citizen of the country.

Investing in the economy

Wealthy Russians with spare cash and members of their families can become owners of Cypriot passports in a short time, subject to meeting several requirements, which include the acquisition of luxury real estate in Cyprus and investing a certain amount in the country's economy.

The Cyprus passport gives the holder all the rights of EU citizens. Lawyers for the Investor Visa website recommend paying attention to the fact that the right to freedom of movement within the European Union applies to both individuals and capital/goods/services.

Residence in Cyprus is not necessary for foreigners of this category (it is enough to have a residence permit issued for 6 months or more).

Naturalization

Requirements for potential candidates:

• Age: 18 years and older.
• Absence in the biography of facts of violation of the laws of Cyprus and other states.
• Residence on the island for 7 years or more (with temporary residence permit status - 5 years, permanent residence permit - 2 years).
• Absence of infectious/chronic diseases.
• Having a stable income to cover living costs.
• No cases of travel outside the country during the 12 months preceding the submission of the application.

List of documents

Documents drawn up in Greek/English are accepted for consideration. Original documents issued in Russian must be translated and certified. Apostille affixing is considered a mandatory requirement.

The list of standard documents is presented:

• Statement.
• International passport.
• Birth certificate.
• Autobiography.
• Certificate of no criminal record.

Additional documents

Taking into account the basis for granting citizenship in 2021, it is additionally provided for the provision of:

• Documents proving the legality of the origin of funds spent on investment, purchase of real estate, etc. (relevant for investors).
• Supporting information (submitted by persons wishing to exercise the right of origin).
• Examination results and protocols of all completed interviews (other categories of applicants are included in the package of documents).

Submission of documents

The package of documents required to start the process of conferring citizenship must be handed over to the staff of the Cyprus Immigration Committee.

Investment options

To obtain citizenship under the Cyprus Investment Programme, investors must invest in one of the following options. Funds can be invested either by the investors themselves or by the spouses, or jointly with the spouses, or through a company where the investor is a shareholder or holds a high-ranking position.

Investment in real estate, land development and infrastructure project

To grant citizenship, the Government of Cyprus requires the main applicant to purchase or construct a building, develop a plot of land or invest in another infrastructure project for a total amount of at least €2,000,000. The buildings can be for commercial or residential purposes, and the plots can be developed with buildings for the tourism sector.

Investment in a Cypriot company or business: purchase, opening or participation

Applicants may qualify for a Cyprus passport by purchasing, establishing or participating in a company or organization based in Cyprus and the minimum investment amount must be €2,000,000.

Requirements for the company/organization:

• Physical presence, significant volume of activities and work in Cyprus.
• At least 5 employees who are citizens of Cyprus or another EU country.
• Employees must be legally and permanently resident in Cyprus for 5 years prior to applying.
• Investment projects must only be in Cyprus and executed in accordance with investment plans.

Investments in alternative investment funds and financial assets

Another investment option for obtaining a Cyprus passport is the purchase of shares of alternative investment funds or financial assets of Cypriot companies/organizations for an amount of at least €2,000,000.

Financial assets include bonds, notes and securities of companies or organizations physically present and active in Cyprus. They must be owned for at least 5 years, and this must be confirmed annually by audit reports.

Combination of investment options

Applicants may invest simultaneously in several of the options presented above, provided that the total investment amount is not less than €2,000,000.

This option allows investors to purchase special government bonds of the Republic of Cyprus for up to €500,000 and they must be held for a minimum of 5 years.

Additional fees

In addition to one of the investment options listed above, applicants are required to make two non-refundable payments under the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Programme. These payments are mandatory and include the following:

• Contribution to the Cyprus Foundation for Scientific Research and Innovation – at least €100,000
• Contribution to the Cyprus Land Corporation – at least €100,000

Cypriot citizenship by descent (by birth)

There are several application options in this category; you must select the appropriate one. These vary depending on the applicant's year of birth, parental background and relationship with the UK. All options do not require large expenses for registration, but only the payment of a state fee in the amount of 20-80 €.

An application for a consular birth certificate (Form M121) can be made by minors or adults born abroad after 16 August 1960 whose father was a Cypriot citizen at the time of birth. And those born after 11 June 1999 whose mother was a Cypriot citizen at the time of their birth.

The application for registration of minors (Form M126) can be submitted by people born before 11 June 1999 in Cyprus or abroad if their mother is a Cypriot citizen and their father is a foreigner.

The application (Form M123) can be made by people over 21 years of age who were born on or after 16 August 1960 if neither of their parents was a Cypriot citizen at the date of their birth and acquired this status later.

Interesting. Why is the cut-off point 一 August 16, 1960? This is the day of the formation of the independent Republic of Cyprus. The state emerged as a result of quadrilateral negotiations between Great Britain, Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, which began in 1954.

In addition, children who were born abroad can obtain citizenship if one of the parents is a citizen of Cyprus. Of course, paternity or maternity must be officially registered.

When Cyprus received the status of an independent state, it joined the Commonwealth of Nations. Today, a Cyprus passport can be obtained by citizens of the UK or one of the Commonwealth countries who have lived in Cyprus for at least a year.

Descent is the easiest and fastest way to obtain Cypriot citizenship compared to marriage and residence.

Conditions for obtaining citizenship

An application for Cypriot citizenship can be submitted by a foreigner who, prior to the date of filing the document, has legally lived in the territory of the republic for a total of seven years, with a permanent residence for the last 12 months. If applicants include children or parents of Cypriot citizens, the qualification period is reduced to five years.

Applications for naturalization are accepted only from candidates in good standing. Fines, arrests, and convictions reduce the chance of obtaining the coveted status. The applicant must have intentions to live in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus permanently and at the same time have the center of his vital interests in the country (work, family, business, etc.).

Citizenship by investment can be obtained much faster – in 6 months. Read more about the conditions for obtaining a Cyprus passport under the Citizenship by Investment program in a separate article.