Immigration to Cyprus

Immigration to Cyprus in 2026 works through a temporary residence permit tied to a specific purpose or through a permanent Immigration Permit. Temporary routes: remote work for foreign clients (Digital Nomad, net income from €3,500 a month), employment in a company of foreign interests (from €2,500 gross a month), the EU Blue Card, the Startup Visa and visitor status without the right to work. Permanent residence comes through an investment of at least €300,000 combined with income of €50,000 a year (the so-called golden visa), Category F for people with secured income, or long-term resident status after 5 years. Citizenship requires 7 years of residence and Greek at B1 level; the citizenship-by-investment programme closed in 2020. Ukrainians who fled the war hold temporary protection until 04.03.2027. Checked against the Cyprus Migration Department website and the legislation on 10.10.2026.

Routes to Cyprus at a glance

What changed in 2025–2026

• The investor passport is closed for good. The Cyprus citizenship-by-investment programme accepted applications only until 30.10.2020, and in 2025 the provision was deleted from the Civil Registry Law. Today the term golden visa refers only to the investor permanent residence permit.
• 31.12.2025: the Migration Department reopened Digital Nomad applications, with the cap kept at 500 permits.
• 17.06.2026: the Government of Cyprus automatically extended temporary protection for Ukrainians to 04.03.2027. Online submission of new applications has been closed.
• From 2026 a tax reform is in force: corporate tax of 15% and a personal tax-free band of €22,000 a year. For a migrant this affects income planning and the choice of tax residence.

How the procedure works

All residence applications are filed at the head office of the Migration Department in Nicosia, in person or through an authorised representative. Documents must be officially translated and certified; Ukrainian documents need an apostille. Applicants give biometrics and, on first registration, receive an Alien Registration Certificate (government fee €70). A temporary permit is cancelled if the holder is away from Cyprus for more than 3 consecutive months, so a move should be planned as genuine residence.

Cyprus is an EU member but has not joined the Schengen area. A Cyprus permit on its own does not replace a Schengen visa; travel to other EU states follows the rules of each specific status.

Work and business

The most common route for professionals is a company of foreign interests. The company registers with the Business Support Centre, and the employee receives a residence and work permit with a salary from €2,500 gross a month; the official processing time is one month. Remote workers serving foreign clients fit the Digital Nomad scheme. Founders of innovative projects can use the Startup Visa.

Temporary protection and next steps

Cyprus extended temporary protection for Ukrainians to 04.03.2027 automatically, so no new biometric permit is needed. The extension notice is collected in person at the Asylum Service in Nicosia. At EU level protection runs to 04.03.2028; as of 10.10.2026 Cyprus has issued no national decision for that period. Years under temporary protection do not count towards citizenship, and holders of this status cannot apply for the EU Blue Card. For a longer horizon we plan a separate ground. Details: Cyprus for Ukrainians.

Path to permanent residence and citizenship

Permanent residence can be obtained at once (investor permit or Category F) or after 5 years of lawful residence as an EU long-term resident. Citizenship by naturalisation requires 7 years of residence within the last 10, 12 continuous months before applying, Greek at B1 level and a test on the political and social life of Cyprus. Periods as a student or under temporary protection are excluded.

What we do

• Match a lawful route to your goals, income, family and business.
• Check the conditions: income and funds, Ukrainian documents, insurance, housing in Cyprus.
• Prepare the file for the Migration Department in Nicosia with translations and apostilles.
• Plan renewals, permanent residence and citizenship, and connect the immigration side with your company, accounting and taxes.

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Related services

Company registration in Cyprus is handled by RegServ, accounting and reporting by Keys, and company taxation after the 2026 reform by Crystal Tax. Market entry through a subsidiary or branch: INNOVA Consulting Group (Cyprus).

Sources (as of 10.10.2026): Migration Department: Digital Nomad; Migration Department: visitors; Migration Department: companies of foreign interests; Migration Department: EU Blue Card; Migration Department: investor Immigration Permit; Migration Department: long-term resident; Migration Department: entry and absence; Asylum Service: temporary protection extension; Civil Registry Law 141(I)/2002, ss. 111A, 111B; Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912.