🇨🇾 Cyprus Investment Permanent Residency (CBI was discontinued in 2020)
Cyprus offers a pathway to obtain permanent residency through real estate, companies, or investment funds for at least approximately €300,000, and applicants must demonstrate a stable annual income from abroad. Its investment citizenship (passport) program was discontinued in November 2020, with permanent residency now being the primary investment route. Permanent residents must also meet long-term residency and citizenship requirements to potentially naturalize. Thresholds and conditions may change; please refer to the latest official announcements.
Cyprus Investment Permanent Residency (CBI was discontinued in 2020) Key Requirements Overview
| Type | Residence (investment permanent residence; investment citizenship has been suspended since 2020) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Investment Threshold | Approximately €300,000 (real estate/company/fund; equivalent to about US$320,000, subject to exchange rates) |
| Primary investment methods. | Acquisition of newly constructed residential or commercial real estate, investment in company equity, or investment in qualified funds. |
| Residency Requirements | It is necessary to maintain a connection with the local area (such as regular entries) and demonstrate a stable annual income from abroad. |
| Pathways to citizenship. | Investment citizenship has been suspended; permanent residents must legally reside for the required period and meet citizenship criteria to naturalize. |
| Dependent relatives | Can include spouse and dependent children among family members, with required income proof increasing with the number of dependents. |
| Processing Timeline | Permanent residence processing generally takes about 2–6 months, varying by case. |
| Recent Changes | The Investment Citizenship (CBI) program was terminated in November 2020; permanent residency is the current primary pathway. |
Cyprus Investment Permanent Residency (CBI was discontinued in 2020) Key considerations
- Cyprus's investment passport program has been discontinued; the current investment route leads to permanent residency rather than citizenship.
- Applying for permanent residency typically requires proof of stable annual income from abroad, which increases with the number of family members.
- Transitioning from permanent residence to citizenship requires meeting several years of residency and other conditions, with a longer timeline.
Cyprus Investment Permanent Residency (CBI was discontinued in 2020) Application Process
- Choose qualifying real estate, companies, or funds and complete an investment of at least approximately €300,000.
- Gather foreign income and other documents to apply for permanent residency with the Cypriot authorities.
- After obtaining permanent residency, maintain conditions as required, and evaluate the possibility of subsequent citizenship based on long-term plans.
Cyprus Investment Permanent Residency (CBI was discontinued in 2020) Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cyprus still issue passports through investment?
No, the Cyprus investment citizenship program was terminated in November 2020. The current investment pathway grants permanent residency, while citizenship requires meeting additional long-term residency conditions; actual requirements are subject to the latest official announcements.
How long after obtaining investment permanent residency can one apply for citizenship?
Permanent residents must legally reside for the required duration and meet language and residency requirements before they may apply for naturalization. There is no fixed timeline guaranteed; please refer to the latest official announcements.
What is the income requirement for Cyprus permanent residence?
Applicants must demonstrate stable annual income from abroad; the specific amount depends on family size, with the main applicant typically requiring approximately €50,000 or more per year (raised from approximately €30,000 in 2023, with additional requirements for dependents). Actual amounts are subject to the latest regulations from the Cyprus Civil Registry and Migration Department.
Does Cyprus permanent residence expire?
Cyprus investment permanent residence does not have a fixed expiry date, but holders must maintain the investment and periodically enter Cyprus to retain residence status. Prolonged absence or failure to maintain conditions may affect residence status; specific rules are subject to the latest official announcements.
What is the difference between Cyprus investment immigration and Malta?
Cyprus currently only offers permanent residence (citizenship by investment was suspended in 2020), with a threshold starting from approximately €300,000; Malta offers both residence and citizenship routes, but with different thresholds and requirements. Both are in the EU; please confirm current programs with the latest official regulations of each country before comparing.
How to verify if an investment immigration program is still valid and avoid misleading claims?
The conditions of investment immigration programs often change or may even be suspended. Recommendations: ① Check official announcements from the country's immigration or investment authority (official source links are provided at the bottom of this page). ② Verify the data date indicated on this page. ③ Before engaging a consultant, check whether they are registered with the relevant regulatory body (e.g., Australia's OMARA, Canada's CICC; for lawyers, check with the local bar association). ④ Be wary of exaggerated claims such as "guaranteed approval" or "exempt from review." This site provides a neutral compilation of public information, and all content is subject to the latest official announcements.
AboutCyprus Investment Permanent Residency (CBI was discontinued in 2020)People often ask this.
- How many days per year must I actually stay for investment immigration? Residence requirements and "residence-free" golden visas by country
- Can I freely reside and work throughout the EU with a European golden visa? Differences between Schengen stays and residency.
- Which Golden Visas/Investment Immigration Programs Have Ceased or Been Adjusted? (Continuously Updated)
Official sources：Cyprus Ministry of Interior Civil Registry and Migration Department · Data Date：2026-06-27。This page is a neutral compilation of publicly available information, for reference only, notImmigration/LawAdvice; programs are subject to the latest official announcements.