Cyprus programme guide
Build a Cyprus business base
Plan a genuine operating company, foreign-interest registration and eligible residence and work permits together.
For readers in Jordan, the Gulf, Palestine and Cyprus
Initial investment requirement for foreign-interest company registration
The overview
Understand the route.
Company formation and immigration permission are separate stages. A business must qualify for the relevant register, and each worker must meet the residence and employment rules.
A useful Cyprus hub starts with real customers, management, premises and staffing. Investment and registration should follow that operating plan.
Before you begin
What to review.
- Meet an official company eligibility category. Majority non-EU ownership is one option; minority ownership has an additional €200,000 share-value test.
- Document the required €200,000 initial investment, qualifying business use and suitable premises. The official rules distinguish a licensed credit institution from an electronic-money account.
- Eligible highly paid staff need at least €2,500 gross monthly pay, relevant qualifications or two years' relevant experience, and a contract of at least two years.
- Plan payroll, insurance, beneficial-ownership reporting, licensing and the policy's Cypriot/EU staffing commitments.
From research to application
See the steps ahead.
Use this outline to prepare your questions. The relevant authority determines the procedure and the result.
- 01
Define the operating plan
Review the activity, ownership, sector permissions, staff and family needs.
- 02
Set up the company
Arrange incorporation, governance, business premises, funding and accounting support.
- 03
Apply for registration
Use the Business Support Center's company CY Login process with the required investment and business evidence.
- 04
Apply for individual permits
Prepare entry/residence/work applications and qualifying family applications, then maintain the business and permit conditions.
Prepare thoughtfully
Documents to discuss.
A practical starting list. Your circumstances and the current official checklist determine what is required.
- Incorporation, shareholder, director and beneficial-owner records
- Business profile, activity and staffing plan
- Qualifying investment transfer/bank evidence or eligible business purchase invoices
- Business-premises title or qualifying lease
- Passports, employment contracts, qualifications/experience and required personal/family evidence
Keep the full picture
Details deserve attention.
- Registration alone does not grant residence or employment permission. Job changes, company compliance and renewal conditions still matter.
- Family reunification is conditional. Qualifying spouses/civil partners can access paid employment under the applicable permit rules; this does not extend to self-employment under that family status.
- The standard corporate income-tax rate is 15% from 2026. Incentives need separate eligibility review. Naturalisation is separate, with residence, language and other tests; incorporation does not promise a passport in three or four years.
The questions that matter
A little more clarity.
Is this the €300,000 permanent-residency route?
No. The €200,000 company-registration investment and skilled-employment route have different conditions from Regulation 6(2) investor permanent residence.
Can a shareholder obtain a work permit?
A qualifying shareholder may also be an eligible employee, but must satisfy the applicable job, salary, qualification and permit requirements. Share ownership by itself is insufficient.
How long should we allow?
Company registration targets up to ten business days after a complete eligible submission. Banking, incorporation, employment permits and family applications are separate steps, so a whole relocation date cannot be guaranteed.
Sources & review
Reviewed
- Business Support Center: foreign-interest company criteria
- Migration Department: employment policy
- Migration Department: permit duration and procedure
- Migration Department: family employment conditions
- Ministry of Interior: naturalisation conditions
- Ministry of Finance: 2026 tax reform
General information for your research. Requirements can change; confirm the current rules and your circumstances with the relevant authority and a qualified adviser before making a commitment.
Explore another perspective.
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