The Cyprus Residence by Investment (RBI) program (commonly called the “Cyprus Golden Visa”) allows non-EU nationals to obtain permanent residence in Cyprus through a qualifying investment. The permit is effectively indefinite (permanent residence status), covers the investor’s immediate family, and is not automatic citizenship — however, permanent residents may later be eligible for naturalisation under Cyprus law. This route is used by high-net-worth individuals seeking a stable European base, favorable tax options, and access to EU-standard living without full-time residence.
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Requirement
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Details
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Eligible nationality
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Non-EU / Non-EEA / Non-Swiss nationals (third-country nationals).
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Age / legal capacity
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Must be at least 18 years old and legally capable.
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Clean criminal record
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Applicant (and adult dependents where required) must provide criminal record checks from country(ies) of origin/residence, apostilled/legalised and translated when necessary.
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Investment minimum
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€300,000 (plus VAT where applicable) in one of the approved routes (see list below). This amount is the standard threshold used by the Migration Department and professional advisers.
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Sufficient income / funds
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Applicants must show secured annual income of at least €50,000 from abroad for the main applicant, with an additional €15,000 for spouse and €10,000 for each dependent child (typical published guidance used by specialists and law firms). Evidence must show lawful, verifiable foreign income or resources.
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Maintain investment
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The qualifying investment must be maintained (or replaced with an equivalent qualifying investment) while the permanent residence status is active; proof of ongoing compliance is required for registration and checks.
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Other documents
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Valid passport; passport photos; proof of investment (contracts/deeds / share certificates / fund documentation); bank transfers showing funds from abroad; criminal records; evidence of secured annual income; apostilles and translations as needed.
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You may meet the €300,000 threshold by one (or a combination) of the following (funds must come from abroad and cannot be borrowed locally):
Tax advantages & lifestyle: Cyprus has attractive tax regimes (e.g., non-dom regimes for newcomers, favorable treatment of foreign income in many cases), Mediterranean climate, good services, and EU stability. Confirm tax treatment with a Cyprus tax advisor.
Mr. Li, businessman from China — invests €320,000 in a new two-unit residential development in Limassol (purchase from a licensed developer), shows secured foreign annual income ≥ €50,000, includes spouse and 22-year-old university daughter. He obtains permanent residence, makes periodic visits (at least every two years), and later evaluates naturalisation after meeting residence/integration conditions.
No — the permanent residence by investment does not automatically allow salaried employment with unrelated Cypriot employers. You may serve as director/shareholder of your own company and receive dividends/profits. Always check specific employment limits with immigration counsel.
No. There is no full-time residence requirement; holders must visit periodically (commonly at least once every two years) to keep the status active.
Yes. The spouse and dependent children (usually up to 25, unmarried and financially dependent) may be included; dependent adults with disabilities may also be included.
Official processing times are often 2–3 months for a properly prepared application, but practical timelines (document preparation, due diligence) often make the end-to-end process longer.
You must maintain a qualifying investment while holding permanent residence under the RBI rules. Selling without reinvesting in another qualifying asset may jeopardise your status — reinvestment into an equivalent approved asset is typically the remedy. Confirm specifics with Cypriot authorities or counsel.