Looking for the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment?
Then this is the unvarnished truth: the direct scheme for a €2 million 'Cyprus golden passport' has been permanently abolished. The Cypriot golden visa, however, is the official, legal fast track to permanent residence in approximately 6 months, and ultimately citizenship.
Through a targeted investment of €300,000, non-EU citizens can obtain a safe haven in Europe, a lifelong residence permit for their family, and an optimal tax base.
The internet is full of outdated websites offering an obsolete Cypriot citizenship program through investment . The reality, however, is that you can no longer simply buy a passport in Cyprus these days.
What you can do, however, is obtain a residence permit in Cyprus through investment (officially known as the Permanent Residency Fast Track).
This grants you and your family members lifelong residency rights, which eventually leads to Cypriot citizenship through investment after a required period of physical residence (naturalization).
If you have an EU passport, you already enjoy free movement and can easily settle in Cyprus via the 'Yellow Slip'.
The Golden Visa Cyprus is specifically designed for persons from outside the EU, such as British citizens (after Brexit), Americans, South Africans, and investors from the Middle East.
The Cyprus golden visa solves three problems for non-Europeans:
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To be eligible for the program, you must invest at least €300,000 (plus VAT, if applicable) in one of the four government-approved categories:
Obtaining Cypriot citizenship through investment (via the Golden Visa route) requires compliance with strict regulations. Below you will find a detailed explanation of the conditions you must meet in 2026.
Buying the property is the easy part; proving your income is where most applicants go wrong without the right guidance. The Cypriot government requires the main applicant to demonstrate a stable, annual foreign income of at least €50,000.
This amount increases by €15,000 for a dependent partner and by €10,000 for each dependent child.
Please note: this income must originate from abroad (salaries, pensions, dividends, deposits, or rental income) and must not be generated by activities in Cyprus.
Once your Golden Visa is approved (usually around 6 months), you are a permanent resident. To convert this into citizenship, you must meet the naturalisation requirements. Generally, this entails residing in Cyprus for a total of 8 years (within a 10-year period), culminating in a 12-month stay before applying for the passport, with a maximum total absence of 90 days permitted.
For highly qualified foreign workers at recognized companies, a shortened route applies: they can apply for citizenship after 4 years of residence (with Greek language level B1) or after 5 years of residence (with language level A2).
Please note: for all naturalization routes, you are required to take a Greek exam (minimum B1 level) and a test on the political and social situation in Cyprus.
Relevant information
The Cyprus Golden Visa 2026 is an investment-based residence permit program specifically designed for non-EU citizens. By investing €300,000 in real estate, stocks, or investment funds, applicants obtain a lifelong permanent residence permit in Cyprus.
This gives them the right to create a fiscally attractive basis and eventually apply for EU citizenship.
To obtain Cypriot citizenship, you must first invest at least €300,000 (plus applicable VAT) to secure a Golden Visa (permanent residence permit). After you have obtained this residence permit and have lived in Cyprus for the legally required period (8 years within a 10-year period), you can apply for naturalisation to obtain citizenship and a passport.
Qualifying real estate can grant you residency rights, but citizenship only after naturalization.
No, the Direct Cypriot Citizenship by Investment program (for which an investment of €2 million was required for immediate citizenship) was officially terminated in November 2020. The currently active program is the Cypriot Golden Visa, which grants permanent residence immediately.
No, you do not have to move permanently to Cyprus to maintain your permanent residency status under the Golden Visa. You and your family members only need to visit Cyprus for at least one day every two years to keep your permanent residency status active. However, physical relocation is required if you eventually wish to apply for citizenship.
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