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Cyprus Golden Visa
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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While you can gain permanent residency in Cyprus the traditional way (find a job, get your visa, and live there continuously for 5 years), as an expat, you can also opt for the fast-track investor route. The Cyprus Golden Visa lets you gain permanent residence straight away through qualifying property, business, or fund investments. To qualify, you need to invest at least €300,000 (plus VAT).
This article covers it all for the Cyprus permanent residence for investors: benefits, investment requirements, family inclusion, documents, and more.
What is the Cyprus Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is a residence permit granted to individuals who invest a substantial amount of money in a country. There are many countries in the EU that offer this program, such as Spain and Portugal, but the Cyprus Golden Visa is especially recognised for its faster process and low investment requirements.
Cyprus permanent residency by investment grants applicants the legal right to live in the country indefinitely through the purchase of real estate, shares, or other qualifying investments on the island. The status lasts a lifetime, but the residence card needs to be renewed every five years as long as the investment is kept up.
What are the benefits of a Cyprus Golden Visa?
Once you obtain permanent residence in Cyprus, you’ll enjoy nearly the same rights as Cypriot citizens, with only a few exceptions: You cannot vote or hold public office. While the Golden Visa does not allow you to work as a salaried employee, you are free to run your own business.
As a resident, you and your family gain access to high-quality European education and healthcare. You can also travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within every 180-day period in other member countries.
Unlike other long-term permits, the Cyprus Golden Visa does not require you to live in the country permanently. You only need to visit once every two years to maintain your status.
On top of that, Cyprus comes with one of Europe’s most attractive tax regimes: there are no inheritance or gift taxes, no tax on worldwide income—unless you qualify as a tax resident (over 183 days in the country or under the 60-day rule)—and more than 60 double taxation treaties that prevent income from being taxed twice. You can explore these advantages in detail on our Cyprus Taxes page.
What is the Cyprus Golden Passport? What happened with the Cyprus Golden Visa?
In Europe, “passport” and “citizenship” are usually synonyms. The Cyprus Golden Passport was a fast-track process to get citizenship thanks to an investment. Around 2020, the government discontinued it amid controversy because applicants didn’t pass a criminal record check, among other allegations. The government replaced the Cyprus Golden Passport programme with the current Cyprus Golden Visa.
The extra trouble in this storyline is that the Golden Passport programme was actually called the Golden Visa, and the “golden passport” was just a nickname. So, yes, two different initiatives with different outcomes share the same name. It’s perfectly normal to mix them up.
The only standing programme with that name, right now, is this one: The path to residency by investment. You can’t become a citizen of Cyprus (and the EU) by investing anymore.
When can you apply for the Cyprus Golden Visa?
Most European countries, such as Ireland, ask for a set amount of years of continuous residence to apply for permanent status. While our small Mediterranean island does follow this traditional permanent residence pathway, it also has a way around it with the Cyprus Golden Visa.
Permanent residents by investment don’t have to move to Cyprus to maintain their status. They just need to keep their investments and visit the country every two years. To qualify, you need to invest at least €300,000 (plus VAT) in one of the following:
- Residential property: Buy a brand-new house or flat from a developer.
- Other real estate: Invest in offices, shops, hotels, or similar properties.
- Cyprus company shares: Put €300,000 into the share capital of a newly registered company, or increase the capital of an existing one. The business must be based in Cyprus, have a real presence there, and employ at least 5 people.
- Investment funds: Invest in units of a Cyprus-based investment organisation (AIF, AIFLNP, RAIF).
On top of the investment, you must show a secure annual income of at least €50,000 from abroad. This increases by €15,000 for your spouse and €10,000 for each dependent child. Income can come from salaries, pensions, dividends, rent, or bank interest, and must be proven through a tax return in your country of tax residence. If the investment is not in a residential property, you must also buy or rent a house on the island.
Adult children (over 18 and not financially dependent) can also be included, but the investment amount must increase proportionally to the number of adult children applying.
Does the Cyprus Golden Visa require a residency test?
No, you don’t have to take any tests to apply for the Cyprus Golden Visa. Unlike other permanent residence applicants who have to take the Greek Language and the socio-political test, Cyprus applicants for permanent residence through investment don’t need to take any exam.
What documents are required to apply for a Cyprus Golden Visa?
Applicants for the Cyprus Golden Visa programme and dependents must provide:
- Valid passport/ID
- Proof of residence/investment/income
- Health insurance
- Clean criminal record from the Cypriot police and the country of origin
- Civil status certificates (translated/apostilled)
- Application form (MIP1) and biometric data (photo, fingerprints, signature)
- Title deed or contract of sale for property investment (minimum €300,000) or other investment proof (company shares, units in a Cyprus fund)
- Proof of payment of at least €300,000 (plus VAT) to the developer/vendor
- Proof of annual secure income (minimum €50,000, plus €15,000 for spouse and €10,000 per child) from abroad
- Health insurance certificate covering the applicant and dependents in Cyprus
All documents accompanying application forms should be officially translated and duly certified/ratified.
What are the Cyprus Golden Visa permit fees?
Besides the investment itself, applicants for the Cyprus Golden Visa must cover additional government fees. These depend on the number of family members included. The immigration submission fee is €500 for the main applicant, spouse, and minor children—an extra €500 is required for each dependent child over 18. The registration fee is €70 per family member, and the permanent residence card fee is another €70 per family member.
Can you get the Cyprus Golden visa online?
No. The Cyprus government explains that you must submit the documents at a “competent Diplomatic Mission of the Republic of Cyprus, or to the Visa Centre (External Service Provider) to which the Mission will refer you.” The easiest way to secure a visa application is to partner up with immigration experts who can assist you.
Step-by-step: How to get the Cyprus Golden Visa
Remember that the Golden Visa is no longer a direct path to citizenship. It’s just an indirect path to it, and a direct path to permanent residence. These are the necessary steps you need to follow to get the Cyprus Golden Visa.
Step #1 – Check eligibility
To qualify, you must:
- Be a non-EU/EEA citizen
- Minimum investment of €300,000 in one of the following options:
- Residential property (new, up to two units).
- Commercial property (e.g., offices, hotels).
- Shares in a Cypriot company
- Units in Cyprus Investment Funds (AIF, RAIF, etc.).
- Secure annual income of €50,000 (plus €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per child) from abroad.
- Clean criminal record for all applicants aged 16+ (this was very controversial in Cyprus and they take it very seriously.)
Step #2 – Complete the investment
- Transfer funds from abroad to a Cypriot bank account.
- For property purchases, pay VAT (standard 19%, but may be cut to 5% for new residential properties under certain conditions)
Step #3 – Submit Application
Remember that you must submit the application in person. Before that, gather the required documents, including proof of investment, proof of income, and criminal record certificates.
- Submit the application via a legal representative or at, quoting the Cypriot government, a “competent Diplomatic Mission of the Republic of Cyprus, or to the Visa Centre (External Service Provider) to which the Mission will refer you.”
Step #4 – Biometrics and approval
- Visit Cyprus once to provide biometric data.
- Processing typically takes 2–3 months.
- Upon approval, receive a permanent residence permit (valid indefinitely, but card renewal every 10 years)
Step #5 – Stay in residence
- Visit Cyprus at least once every 2 years.
- Annually submit proof of maintained investment and health insurance.
- Every 3 years, provide updated criminal records
Step #6 – Wait and carry out these optional directions
- Include family: Spouse and dependent children under 25 can be included.
- Path to citizenship: Apply after 7 years of legal residence, 8 in total (requires physical presence and language test).
Can your family members get permanent residency?
Yes, in most cases, your family can be included in your Cyprus Golden Visa application, but the rules depend on who is applying with you. Your spouse and children can join your Cyprus permanent residence application. Minor children qualify automatically, while children aged 18 to 25 can also be included if they’re full-time university students, unmarried, and financially dependent on you. Children with mental or physical disabilities are eligible no matter their age.
When adding family members, you’ll need to show extra annual income: €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 for each child.
There’s also an option for adult children over 18 who are no longer financially dependent. They can still get permanent residence through your investment, but the rules are stricter: for each financially dependent child over 18, an additional €300,000 investment is required. Each of them must also prove a secured annual income of at least €50,000, plus €15,000 for their spouse and €10,000 per dependent child. The investment can be made in your name, jointly with your adult child, or fully in their name.
What if your application is rejected
If your application for the Cyprus Golden Visa is refused, you still have legal options. Under Article 146 of the Constitution of Cyprus, you have the right to challenge any administrative decision by filing a recourse before the Administrative Court. This process allows the court to review the decision and confirm whether it complies with the law and the principles of good administration.
Get professionals to give you a hand
Cyprus combines a strategic location, a favourable tax system, and one of the most affordable Golden Visa programs in Europe. Unlike countries such as Spain, where the minimum property investment is €500,000, the Cyprus Golden Visa requires just €300,000.
Still, the application process can feel complex, with strict documentation and investment criteria. That’s why many applicants turn to expert consultants for guidance. They can help you to simplify your Golden Visa application or explore alternative residency paths in Europe.
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