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Cyprus Citizenship
Luis Minvielle
Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.
Oleksandra Dosii
Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.
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After living in Cyprus for the required number of years (8, 4 or 5) with a temporary or permanent residence permit, you can apply for Cypriot citizenship through naturalisation. Becoming a citizen comes with benefits beyond a residence permit, such as the right to vote, stand for public office, and obtain a Cypriot passport with wide visa-free travel.
Let’s look at the steps to get Cyprus citizenship and the key things you need to know before applying.
What are the benefits of Cyprus citizenship?
As a citizen, you gain the legal right to live in Cyprus indefinitely, while enjoying the country’s stability, low crime rate and a favourable tax regime. Thanks to EU membership, you can live, work, and study anywhere in the Union and benefit from access to EU markets if you are an entrepreneur.
Citizens have full political rights, like the right to vote and stand for election. You’ll also enjoy access to the national healthcare system (GESY), social security benefits such as pensions and welfare, and free or subsidised education.
The Cypriot passport is ranked 16th worldwide, and allows visa-free travel to 174 destinations in 2025. Plus, citizenship will be passed automatically to your future children, while spouses and dependents may qualify through simplified procedures.
Does Cyprus allow dual citizenship?
Yes! You won’t need to renounce your nationality when obtaining Cyprus citizenship, as the country allows dual citizenship without any restrictions. So as long as your country of origin doesn't pose any barriers, you can enjoy the full benefits of both passports.
Is Cyprus citizenship an EU citizenship?
Yes, Cyprus citizenship is an EU citizenship that allows you to live and work in Limassol but also in Munich or Paris. Since Cyprus, as of September 2025, is not part of the Schengen space (Cypriots are working on this), and Cyprus is geographically in Asia, some news sources sometimes report that being a Cypriot is not being a citizen of the EU. This is not accurate.
What are the ways to get Cyprus citizenship?
There are three different ways to get a Cyprus citizenship:
- By origin or registration (registration): if one or both of your parents are Cypriot.
- By marriage: if you’ve been married to a Cypriot citizen for at least three years.
- By naturalisation: if you’ve lived in Cyprus for 8 years with temporary or permanent residency — or just 4–5 years if you’re a highly skilled worker. This is the best pathway for expats who want to become Cypriots.
If you faintly remember any news articles about a citizenship by investment option, we have bad news for you. This program, called the Golden Visa and sometimes informally called the Golden Passport, ended on November 1, 2020. There’s a new program called exactly the same — Golden Visa — but it’s for getting the residence permit and not for claiming citizenship. So now, investors can gain citizenship by first getting permanent residency through a €300,000 investment and later qualify for citizenship by naturalisation.
When can you apply for Cyprus citizenship?
If you want to know when you can apply to become a Cypriot, it depends on the method of application. Still, for all applicants, the required years include 12 months of continuous residence in Cyprus before applying, with up to 90 days of absence allowed. These are the methods to get Cyprus citizenship and their required timelines:
By naturalisation
If you’re applying for Cyprus citizenship by naturalisation, you need 12 months of continuous legal residence (with up to 90 days absence) plus 7 more years of lawful stay in the 10 years before the 12 months. So eight years in total. While this might sound like a scary long time, you can combine the time you spent living with a temporary and permanent residence permit. So think of it this way: spend 5 years with your temporary permit, then apply for long-term residence, wait 3 more years and then apply for citizenship.
Highly skilled workers have a fast-track option for Cyprus citizenship due to Law 149(I)/2023, also known as the Golden Knowledge Programme to attract tech talent. To qualify, you need to have passed the Greek language and socio-political exams. Those with a Level A2 (basic communication) in Greek can apply after 5 years, while Level B2 workers (everyday communication) can apply after 4 years.
Like in many other countries of the EU, naturalisation in Cyprus is probably the best path to citizenship if you’re an expat.
By marriage
Foreign spouses of Cypriot citizens can get citizenship after 3 years of marriage. If living in Cyprus, you also need 2 years of prior residency. Couples abroad must explain why they want citizenship, unless they’ve been married 5+ years and have a child. This is covered by Civil Registry Law 141(I)/2002.
By registration
Cypriot citizenship by registration is a bit more complex, than say, the Netherlands. Depending on your birthdate, you will need to present different application forms and documents. This is due to Cyprus’ independence date on August 16, 1960. The specifics are also outlined in Law 141(I)/2002. In total, there are six different paths:
- Male registration, born before August 16, 1960, and a UK/Commonwealth citizen: For individuals whose father was Cypriot, born before Cyprus gained independence, and who are citizens of the UK or its former colonies. Requires Form M71.
- Male registration, born before August 16, 1960, and not a UK/Commonwealth citizen: For individuals whose father was Cypriot, born before independence, and who are not citizens of the UK or its former colonies. Requires Form M72.
- Born abroad on or after August 16, 1960, with a Cypriot parent: For individuals born abroad after independence, whose father or mother was a Cypriot citizen at the time of their birth. Requires Form M121.
- Born on or after August 16, 1960, with Cypriot registration: For individuals born on or after independence, who are descendants of Cypriot citizens. Requires Form M123.
- Cypriot origin, born before August 16, 1960, and residing in Cyprus: For individuals of Cypriot origin, born before independence, who have been residing in Cyprus for at least 12 months before applying. Requires Form M124.
- Registration of a minor child as a Cypriot citizen: For minors whose parents have acquired Cypriot citizenship by registration or naturalisation. Requires Form M126.
The reason the first two forms (M71 and M72) only mention the father is historical and tied to Cyprus’ independence and British colonial law. Before August 16, 1960, Cypriot nationality law followed a patrilineal principle, so citizenship was automatically passed through the father, not the mother. After independence, the law was modernised: children born after August 16, 1960, can claim citizenship through either parent, which is why the latter forms (M121, M123, etc.) include both mother and father.
The Greek language and socio-political tests
To apply for Cypriot citizenship, most applicants need a B1 level in Greek and a basic understanding of the country’s social and political life, with a score of at least 60% on the official test. Highly skilled workers can apply earlier if they pass a Greek language test: Level A2 (simple Greek) lets them apply after 5 years of residence, while Level B2 (everyday Greek) allows applying after 4 years.
The Greek language tests at The Greek Language Centre for A1, A2 and B1 cost €90, B2 costs €100, while the contemporary and political reality examination costs €20.
✍️ A note on dialects
It’s important to remember that Cypriot Greek isn’t quite the same as the Greek spoken in Greece. The Cypriot dialect has its own sound, expressions, and grammar, which can sometimes make it tricky for Greek and Cypriot speakers to fully understand each other. Still, Cyprus officially aligns with the standard Greek of Greece. This is why the exam is held at Greek Language centres (worldwide) and follows Standard Modern Greek rules. So, if you’ve only picked up the local dialect, it may not cut it, and you’ll need to study Standard Greek to pass.
Military service
Male applicants who gain Cypriot citizenship through naturalisation must complete military service in the following two years after your citizenship being approved. If you’re 18–26, you’ll serve 6 months (8 months if delayed). Over 26, it decreases to 3 months (5 months if delayed). Men 18–45 with a parent of Cypriot origin have to serve 14 months, but if they or their parents have lived abroad for over 10 years, the service is shortened.
What documents are required?
Every citizenship application is different, but some documents are common to all types. Documents marked with (*) must be translated into English or Greek and either bear an apostille stamp or be certified by the issuing country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cyprus Embassy, and the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some common documents for all applications are:
- Corresponding M form (M127 for naturalisation, M125 for marriage, and so on)
- Birth certificate*
- Criminal record*
- Marriage certificate* (if applicable)
- Copies of all pages of passports showing arrivals and departures to Cyprus
- List of arrivals and departures
- Receipt(s) for fee payment
- Passport-size photographs (sometimes stamped by the local Muhtar)
After these, differences begin to appear. For example, for naturalisation (form M127), you’ll need a CV or work certificate. For citizenship by marriage (form M125), applicants must submit passports or ID cards of their Cypriot spouse, birth certificates or IDs of any children, a certificate of the spouse’s citizenship if required, and statements of harmonious living and cohabitation.
Registration applications (forms M121, M123 & M126) require the applicant’s birth certificate, parents’ marriage certificate, passport copies, and the Cypriot parent’s citizenship certificate; for M126 (minor children), a foreign parent’s consent and school registration proof. Finally, forms M72 and M71 require the father’s documentation too.
How to apply for Cyprus citizenship?
You can submit your citizenship application at the Civil Registry Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, your local district office, or at a Cyprus embassy or consulate if you live abroad. The Civil Registry Department handles all applications.
If you live outside Cyprus, apply at the Cyprus Embassy in your country. Once your application is approved, you can apply for a Cypriot ID card and passport.
What are Cyprus citizenship fees?
The fees for Cyprus citizenship applications vary depending on the type of application. Some forms share the same fees:
- €20 plus stamp: Forms M71, M72, and M121.
- €50 plus stamp: Form M123.
- €80 plus two stamps: Forms M124 and M126.
Other applications have separate fees: naturalisation costs €500 to submit plus two stamps, while an additional €500 is due upon approval. Citizenship through marriage requires a €300 fee plus two stamps. In 2025, all stamps must be worth €8.54 each. Any given pathway is different, so it’s important to check the exact fees for the form you’re using.
Can your family members get Cyprus citizenship?
Family members of citizens may also be eligible for Cyprus citizenship, but each case is assessed individually. Spouses must follow the requirements for citizenship by marriage, while minor children of naturalised parents should follow the guidelines for citizenship by registration, depending on their date of birth. Applications are processed case by case, based on the family member’s specific situation.
What if your application is rejected?
If your Cyprus citizenship application is rejected, you are entitled to appeal the decision. Under the Constitution, you have the right to challenge any administrative decision by filing an appeal with the Administrative Court (Article 146).
How long will a Cyprus citizenship application take?
According to the new Cyprus citizenship law, it takes eight months to process applications for naturalisation from highly skilled foreign workers. According to Cypriot lawyers, the process for other applicants could take two to three years.
Contact an immigration professional
Cyprus citizenship offers many benefits, like living in a safe, stable country with a Mediterranean climate and full EU mobility. But it can be hard to deal with bureaucracy in a different country. Hiring a professional can save you time and stress. When you apply to become a citizen of Cyprus through naturalisation, the fees can add up to €1000, so you'll want to make sure they're worth it.
A specialist in immigration can help you through the process, check your paperwork, and get you a strong passport so you can fully enjoy your 8-year stay in Cyprus.
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