Permanent residence in Cyprus is a status of permanent resident or long-term resident of the country. In general, it is issued after 5 years of continuous stay on the island with a residence permit of immigration type (for example, issued to a researcher or an official employee). Absence in the country during this time can be up to 6 consecutive months or 10 months in total. The nuances of granting the right of permanent residence are regulated by the national law “Αλλοδαπών και Μεταναστεύσεως Νόμος”.

Those whose activities are of economic interest to the country can immediately apply for a permanent resident card of the Republic of Cyprus. Examples are key investors, real estate buyers, founders and employees of large companies, highly qualified specialists. It is possible to obtain citizenship in any of the cases after 7 years legally spent in the state without long departures. Cyprus is a member of the European Union, so immigration here gives you a chance for subsequent registration of an EU passport with all its privileges.

In a number of EU countries, you can obtain citizenship in 4-12 months, and you will not need to open a residence permit/permanent residence permit, immerse yourself in the study of the national language or provide a certificate of income. Analyze your chances of participating in the simplified procedures for obtaining an EU passport with Immigrantinlaw's immigration specialists.

What gives you a residence permit in Cyprus?

The residence permit of the Republic of Cyprus gives you the right to work officially in the state and in the territory of the European Union under the same conditions (schedule, income level, social guarantees) as citizens. In addition, you get the following opportunities:

• representing commercial interests in the international arena, including EAEU countries;
• applying to state authorities for social (allowances, subsidies) and other types of support, depending on the situation;
• preferential treatment in European clinics;
• the right to naturalization in the country after long-term residence and fulfillment of related conditions;
• permission to apply for grants for businesses from private and public EU funds;
• reunification with spouse and close relatives (children, parents) and registration of residence status for them;
• permanent residence in the southern part of the island of Cyprus with excellent climatic and environmental conditions;
• in the long term - visa-free travel in the Schengen zone after the accession of the Republic in the near future.

Legal ways to obtain permanent residence in Cyprus

To obtain permanent residence status in Cyprus in general, you must have lived here for 5 years or more with a valid residence permit. Applications for permanent residence will not be accepted from those whose residence permit is open for education, training or temporary purposes (seasonal/household work, internships, volunteer work). For applicants for asylum, subsidiary or international protection, other conditions for granting status apply.

In order to immigrate to Cyprus with the prospect of naturalization and opening a permanent residence permit, you must first obtain temporary residence for:

• Continuous employment.
  A Cypriot employer may invite you for employment with the approval of the Ministry of Labor. The approval of the relevant authority is not required for certain professions such as foreign journalists or agricultural workers. It is important that the work is long-term and official.
• Reunification with family members.
  Your spouse or a relative who is a Cypriot citizen, holder of a local permanent residence or an immigration-type residence permit may invite you to live together on the island. Reunification is possible with husband or wife (including de facto partners), minor children (including adopted children), elderly parents. Nationals may invite other direct relatives who are in their care.
• Official Research.
  Foreigners with a doctoral degree can move to the island to pursue their profile at the invitation of a licensed organization after approval from the Research and Innovation Fund. It is necessary to have a self-supporting income of 2000 EUR per month or more. Researchers can teach at universities in parallel. They are also allowed to immigrate with their family.
• Self-financing accommodation.
  Immigration to Cyprus without the right to employment is possible on condition of self-sufficiency and availability of rented or purchased housing for living on the island. It is necessary to receive remote or passive income from 2000 EUR per month. In case of family relocation, it is also necessary to provide for dependents - 400 EUR per spouse and 300 EUR for each child.
• Work as a highly qualified specialist.
  The Republic of Cyprus approves the relocation of those who have academic qualifications and/or a minimum of 2 years of equivalent experience. You need to sign an employment contract with a local company for a period of 24 months or more and receive a salary of 2500 EUR or more. You will also need to have a place of residence in the country and prove it with documents.
• Support due to discrimination.
  Cyprus grants temporary residence to those who have been victims of human trafficking, sexual or other forms of forced exploitation. A residence permit is also granted to persons who have suffered from domestic violence, including acts against women. Each case is considered by the authorities on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the factors involved.

Permission to immigrate for certain categories

In some cases, you can immediately apply for permanent resident status without prior residence in Cyprus with a residence permit - it is granted indefinitely (once every 10 years, only the document itself is replaced). Permission to immigrate can be obtained by:

• Businessmen in the field of agriculture.
  It is necessary to have a capital of 430 thousand EUR or more, to purchase land in Cyprus and to be self-employed in the field of fish, poultry, livestock or another agricultural sector.
• Representatives of the mining sector.
  It is necessary to work in the field of extraction of minerals or to organize exploration of new deposits on condition of having own capital of 350 thousand EUR or more.
• Individual entrepreneurs.
  You can work as a self-employed person or open a business without restrictions on the field of activity, the main thing is to obtain a license from the relevant authorities and have a start-up capital of 260 thousand EUR.
• Specialists in demand.
  Immigration is possible for those who are self-employed, have the relevant profile qualifications and represent a profession or position that is lacking in Cyprus.
• Wealthy foreigners.
  Immigrants who will not work in Cyprus, but who receive a stable and legal insured income from abroad in the amount of 9600 EUR and approximately 50% of this amount - additionally for each dependent person - can immediately apply for permanent residency.

In each of the above cases, the immigration of a foreigner should not have a negative impact on the economy of Cyprus.

Investments permanent residence in Cyprus

As of 2025 Cyprus retains the program of granting permanent residence status for investments. The minimum amount of investment in the economy is 300 thousand EUR. The state offers the following areas for investment:

• Purchase of real estate.
  You can purchase residential (houses/apartments) or commercial (offices/buildings/hotels) properties, one or several. The law does not impose conditions on their further exploitation (for business or private use).
• Shares in a local company.
  It is possible to buy a share of a Cypriot company or increase its authorized capital. The company must operate on the island and have five or more employees.
• Units in a collective investment organization.
  You can invest in official funds such as AIF, AIFLNP, RAIF, which are registered and operating on the island.

Withdrawal of investments without replacing them with another form or capital increase immediately leads to revocation of the Cyprus permanent residence. Permanent residency status does not entitle you to employment, except for work in the company where you invest. In addition to the capital for investment you need to have personal funds in the amount of 50 thousand EUR for yourself, another 15 thousand EUR for husband/wife and 10 thousand EUR for each child.

To move to Cyprus and stay there with a prospective naturalization without large capital investments or mandatory employment can be with a passport of any EU country. Citizens of the European Union register with their family members and can stay on the island for as long as they like without additional conditions. Ask Immigrantinlaw's international law specialists for more information on quick and easy options for obtaining an EU passport.

Permanent residence permit for family members

Holders of any type of permanent residence permit in Cyprus have the right to reunite with family members - husband or wife, children under 18 years of age. Adult relatives after the move can be employed or run a business, children - to receive free education in local gardens and schools. The procedure usually requires a declaration of guaranteed annual income of the receiving party, which undertakes to provide for dependents. It is also necessary to have a place to live on the island and health insurance.

Depending on the situation, it is possible to immigrate to Cyprus together with relatives (e.g., relevant for investors) or to organize the procedure of reunification with them. The residence permit for invited family members will be valid as long as your residence permit is valid.

How to get a permanent residence in Cyprus: step-by-step procedure

1. Obtaining an entry permit.
   You can obtain a national visa of category D for moving to Cyprus or immediately request a single entry and residence permit. The final procedure depends on the type of residence permit you are applying for. You visit (by appointment) the consulate or embassy of the Republic in your home country, submit the documents, pay the state duty and wait for the decision.
2. Moving and registration of a residence permit.
   Upon arrival in Cyprus, you will need to go to the territorial office of the Department of Civil Registration and Migration (hereinafter - the Department), or the police station (depends on the city where you are staying). Here you will undergo biometric procedures, after which you will wait for and collect your residence permit.
3. Living with a residence permit and requesting long-term residency.
   The normal procedure is to stay legally in Cyprus for a minimum of 5 years with an immigration type residence permit and then apply for a permanent residence permit. The application is also submitted to the nearest office of the Department along with documents and fingerprints.
4. Obtaining a long-term resident card.
   Decisions on requests for a Cyprus Permanent Residence Card are made within 6-12 months. If approved, you receive a long-term residence permit, which is valid for the first time for 5 years and can be extended an unlimited number of times.

If you immediately want to get a permanent residence permit, you also apply to the Department, if necessary, pre-opening an entry visa through the diplomatic mission of Cyprus. Requests from investors are considered on a priority basis - on average 2 months in advance.

Requirements for a candidate for permanent residence  

The general list of requirements for those wishing to establish long-term residency in Cyprus is as follows:

• legal and uninterrupted (except in cases of permissible absence) five-year residence on the island with an immigration residence permit;
• absence of criminal record in the country and abroad, as well as no threat to public order and national security;
• registration of a health insurance contract;
• familiarity with the political and social structure of the republic;
• availability of a permanent and legal source of income for self-sufficiency;
• knowledge of Greek (English is not suitable) at the level of A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference;
• no tax or other debts to the state;
• availability of a place to live on the island (bought or rented).

Investors are exempted from the need to take a language exam.

Documents for applying for permanent residence

To obtain a permanent resident card in Cyprus, you prepare the following dossier:

• valid travel document (passport) with certified copies;
• a personally completed application form and CV with contact details;
• current Cyprus residence permit with address registration on the island;
• work contract or similar document of profitable activity;
• a certificate of no criminal record in the territory;
• health insurance policy with coverage for inpatient and outpatient treatment;
• proof of your professional education and/or experience;
• certificate of language and integration testing;
• declaration of permanent and legal sources of income;
• statements of contributions to public funds (tax and social insurance) for a five-year period;
• information about your bank account for the previous year;
• civil status certificates (e.g., marriage or divorce certificate in case of a change of name).

The list of documents for those who apply for a residence permit without prior residence in the country is slightly different and depends on the type of immigration permit. The main thing - it is not necessary to provide a language certificate, residence permit, information about the place of residence and activities for the previous 5 years.

A sample application for Cyprus permanent residence permit can be filled out independently on the website of the Department of Civil Registry and Migration. All documents submitted must be in Greek or English, if applicable - with an official certified translation. Depending on the country of issue, the document may also be apostilled or legalized.

Migration specialists take care of all tasks related to the formation of a correct dossier and subsequent procedures so that you get the desired status in the European Union quickly, easily and without unnecessary worries. Sign up for a free consultation and Immigrantinlaw lawyer will create a personalized action plan for you, taking into account your requests and intentions.

Whether the application for permanent residence can be refused

Permanent residency in Cyprus will not be granted if it is not in the economic interest of the state or if it jeopardizes its security. You will be refused if you do not meet at least one of the requirements for the applicant, which often happens because of changes in the minimum income conditions for immigrants. Requests are also rejected due to an incorrectly compiled dossier, mistakes in documents or their translation/legalization. Like other EU countries, Cyprus does not support illegal migration - the authorities deport violators with a subsequent ban on re-entry.

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Feedback from those who have obtained a permanent residence in Cyprus

According to the reviews of those who have already immigrated to Cyprus as a permanent resident, it is worth considering this option only if you are financially secure. Short-term types of residence permit, such as educational or for seasonal workers, do not give chances for naturalization in the country. The state is interested in granting long-term residency only to those who have close relatives here or whose activities are of scientific, economic or other interest to the island. You can also easily move to Cyprus if you have an EU passport.

Migration services of Cyprus do not work very fast. Applications for residence permits are considered on average 3-4 months, and you can wait up to a year for a permanent resident card. Foreigners are expected to understand Greek (ideally) or English, without which you will not be able to communicate with representatives of the authorities. Also, difficulties often arise in the formation of the dossier, which consists of a wide list of documents and requires proper certification. Immigrants advise to go through all stages of the procedure with the help of specialized lawyers to avoid mistakes and rejection of the application.

How to get the benefits of a Cyprus permanent residence

You can get all the rights of a permanent resident of Cyprus by obtaining a passport of any other EU country. EU citizens are equal among themselves in the possibility of choosing a place of residence, so you can easily immigrate to the island together with family members without additional requirements. Second citizenship also allows you to work officially, conduct commercial activities, participate in grant and scholarship programs of the European Union, give your children a prestigious education. It will be useful for visa-free travel around the world, in addition, this status can be inherited.

Some EU countries, such as Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria, offer accelerated citizenship programs. With the support of specialized professionals, you can obtain a second passport in a maximum of one year, without having to move abroad, spend time and money to open a residence permit, demonstrate income and pass integration exams. Immigrantinlaw's international law specialists will analyze your request and personal documents, on the basis of which they will recommend the optimal program of immigration to the EU with minimum costs. To learn more, make an appointment for a free consultation.

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About the author

Diana Weber

Lawyer of international law

Diane Weber is an international law specialist with 10 years of legal practice experience. Her portfolio includes successful stories of citizenship in different European Union countries under simplified procedures. Diana provides detailed advice and helps many people to achieve their immigration goals in a short period of time, including resolving visa issues, assisting in obtaining residence permits and citizenship in the EU countries. In her blog, Diana Weber enjoys providing readers with detailed information about the features of most popular programs for obtaining a second passport.