The Cyprus Golden Visa — formally the Permanent Residence Permit under Regulation 6.2 of the Aliens and Immigration Law — offers lifetime residency in exchange for a qualifying real estate investment and proof of sufficient overseas income. Following updates through 2024–2026 that tightened eligibility criteria and strengthened compliance verification, the programme remains one of Europe's most established investor residency routes.
This guide sets out every current requirement for the cyprus golden visa requirements 2026, verified against the Civil Registry and Migration Department's published framework, so you can evaluate the programme objectively before engaging legal counsel.
Key Takeaways
- Minimum qualifying investment: €300,000 in new residential property (plus applicable VAT), held indefinitely.
- Income threshold: €50,000 per year from overseas, plus €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per dependent child.
- Family coverage: spouse and dependent children up to age 25 (unmarried students); parents are no longer eligible.
- The permit grants lifetime permanent residency — the physical residence card is renewed every 10 years as an administrative formality.
- Holders must visit Cyprus at least once every two years to maintain active residency status.
- After eight years of lawful residency within a ten-year period, applicants may apply for Cypriot citizenship and an EU passport.
What Is the Cyprus Golden Visa?
The term "Golden Visa" is the informal designation used internationally for Cyprus's investment residency programme. The legal instrument is Regulation 6.2 of the Aliens and Immigration Law, administered by the Civil Registry and Migration Department. It is important to distinguish this from the Cyprus Investment Programme (the citizenship-by-investment scheme), which was permanently suspended in November 2020.
The Golden Visa grants permanent residency — not citizenship — in exchange for a qualifying investment and ongoing compliance. There is no minimum physical presence requirement to apply, but permit holders must visit the Republic at least once every two years after approval to keep their status active.
For investors considering permanent relocation or long-term asset positioning, the programme integrates directly with the property acquisition process and Cyprus's Non-Domicile tax framework, offering a compelling combined benefit.
The Core Investment Requirement: €300,000 in New Residential Property
The qualifying investment must be new residential real estate — a villa, apartment, or combination — with a minimum market value of €300,000 excluding VAT. "New" is defined by the application of VAT at the point of sale, meaning the property must be a first-sale unit from a developer.
The investment must be maintained indefinitely. Selling the qualifying asset without simultaneously replacing it with a property of equal or greater value will result in revocation of the permit. This obligation continues for the lifetime of the residency status.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum investment | €300,000 in new residential property (excl. VAT) |
| Property type | New-build, first sale, VAT applicable |
| VAT rate | 5% on first 130m² (primary residence) · 19% standard rate |
| Ownership obligation | Indefinite — cannot sell without qualifying replacement |
| Fund origin | Must be transferred from abroad (documented wire transfer) |
For a full breakdown of the costs associated with purchasing qualifying property — including transfer fees and the 2026 stamp duty abolition — see our guide on property transfer fees in Cyprus.
Financial Requirements: Proving Overseas Income
The income requirement demonstrates that the applicant can support their family in Cyprus without relying on local employment. All qualifying income must originate from outside Cyprus — the Civil Registry and Migration Department will not accept Cyprus-sourced salary for this threshold.
Acceptable sources include dividends from overseas corporations, pension payments, rental income from property located abroad, interest from foreign bank deposits, or an overseas salary. All documentation must be apostilled or certified by the relevant authority in the country of origin.
| Family Member | Annual Income Required |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | €50,000 |
| Spouse | +€15,000 |
| Each dependent child | +€10,000 |
| Example: couple + 2 children | €85,000 total |
Family Inclusion: Who Qualifies Under Your Application
One of the programme's strongest features is its family scope. Eligible dependants are included under the principal applicant's permit and receive the same permanent residency status.
| Family Member | Eligible | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | ✓ Yes | Joint applicant; included automatically |
| Minor children (under 18) | ✓ Yes | Included automatically |
| Adult children (18–25) | ✓ Yes | Must be unmarried, full-time students, financially dependent on applicant |
| Parents or parents-in-law | ✗ No | Removed from the programme; no longer eligible under current rules |
The Application Process: Documentation and Timeline
Applications are submitted to the Civil Registry and Migration Department with a full documentation package. The process typically takes two to six months from the date of submission, depending on document completeness and administrative volume.
Required Documentation
- Certified copy of valid passport
- Clean criminal record certificate from country of residence and nationality (apostilled)
- Proof of qualifying investment: title deed registration or sale agreement with the Land Registry deposit receipt
- Proof of overseas income: tax returns, bank statements, or dividend warrants (apostilled)
- Comprehensive health insurance valid in Cyprus for all applicants
- Statement confirming no intention to seek employment in Cyprus
- Proof of wire transfer of investment funds from abroad
Within one year of permit approval, all applicants must attend the Civil Registry and Migration Department in person to provide biometric data and collect the physical residence card.
Maintaining Your Permit: Ongoing Compliance Obligations
The permit itself is permanent — there is no expiry on the right of residence. The physical residence card is renewed every 10 years as an administrative formality. To maintain active status, permit holders must meet ongoing obligations:
- Visit Cyprus at least once every two years. Failure to do so may trigger a review of residency status.
- Annual income evidence. Bank statements, tax returns, or certified dividend warrants must be provided annually to confirm the overseas income threshold is still being met.
- Maintain the qualifying investment. Annual confirmation that the property remains in the applicant's ownership, unencumbered, with no pending sale without a qualifying replacement.
- Criminal record renewal. Every three years, a fresh criminal record certificate for all adult applicants must be submitted to the Department.
The Non-Domicile Tax Advantage
Cyprus residency integrates with one of Europe's most investor-friendly fiscal frameworks: Non-Domicile (Non-Dom) tax status. Individuals who become tax residents of Cyprus without having previously been domiciled here benefit from a 17-year exemption from Special Defence Contribution (SDC) on dividend income and interest from deposits.
Combined with Cyprus's zero inheritance tax, a 15% corporate tax rate (effective January 2026), and the updated Capital Gains Tax exemptions detailed in our 2026 CGT guide, the Non-Dom regime makes Cyprus one of Europe's most tax-efficient residency destinations for high-net-worth individuals.
Key Non-Dom benefits at a glance:
- 17-year SDC exemption on dividends and interest
- Zero inheritance or estate tax
- 15% corporate income tax (effective January 2026)
- Personal income from overseas employment not subject to Cyprus income tax (under certain conditions)
Path to EU Citizenship via Naturalisation
The Cyprus Golden Visa is the starting point for eventual EU citizenship. After accumulating eight years of lawful residence within any ten-year period, permanent residents may apply for naturalisation under the Civil Registry Laws.
Requirements for naturalisation include demonstrated physical presence in Cyprus during the qualifying period, some proficiency in the Greek language, and a clean record of civic compliance. A successful naturalisation application confers a Cypriot passport — granting unrestricted residency and work rights across all 27 EU member states, plus visa-free access to over 170 countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cyprus Golden Visa programme still accepting applications in 2026?
Yes. The Permanent Residence Permit under Regulation 6.2 remains fully operational in 2026. It is distinct from the Cyprus Investment Programme (citizenship-by-investment scheme), which was permanently suspended in November 2020. The current programme requires a qualifying real estate investment and ongoing income verification — not a single payment for a passport.
Can I rent out the qualifying property after obtaining the permit?
The residency programme does not prohibit rental of the qualifying property. However, you must maintain legal ownership — you cannot sell the property without a qualifying replacement. Rental income from the Cypriot property would be Cyprus-sourced and would not count toward the overseas income threshold for permit renewal purposes.
Does the Cyprus Golden Visa allow me to work in Cyprus?
No. Regulation 6.2 includes a formal "no intention to work" declaration. Permit holders may not be employed by a Cypriot employer. However, you may own a Cypriot company, hold shares, and receive dividends. You may also serve as an unpaid director in the company through which your investment is structured.
What happens if I need to sell my qualifying investment property?
You must simultaneously acquire a replacement property of equal or greater value that meets the current qualification criteria. The Civil Registry and Migration Department must be notified, and the replacement investment must be documented and registered before the disposal of the original asset is completed. Selling without an approved replacement leads to automatic permit revocation.
How does Cyprus compare to Malta or Greece for residency by investment?
Cyprus offers lifetime permanent residency (versus Greece's Golden Visa which requires 5-year renewals), a lower minimum investment than Malta's citizenship route (€750,000+), and the Non-Dom tax framework which neither Malta nor Greece replicates in the same form. Processing times of 2–6 months are broadly comparable. The 8-year path to EU citizenship is longer than Malta's 3-year route but comes with a significantly lower investment cost threshold.
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NiSea Realty Ltd | Licensed Real Estate Agency | R. N. 1378 | L.N. 690/E
Written by Marios Spyrou, Sales Director — NiSea Realty | Licensed Real Estate Agent, Cyprus (Reg. 1378, Licence 690/E)
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Related Guides
For full residency details: Cyprus Permanent Residence by Investment 2026. Foreign buyers should also read what every foreign buyer needs to know and our overview of buying property in Cyprus in 2026.
