Buy a Cyprus Shelf Company (Ready-Made Company)

A ready-made company in Cyprus is an already registered legal entity, entered in the Register of Companies of the Republic of Cyprus and having passed all legally required incorporation steps. This structure is fully prepared for doing business: you can quickly start trading, financial, investment, or consulting activities immediately after purchase.

Ready-made business in Cyprus: advantages of buying

Not all countries offer the same advantages for international operations, and in some jurisdictions, there are additional restrictions or risks associated with ready-made companies. Cyprus remains one of the most attractive options for buying a ready-made business. Here’s why:

1. The company’s registration date is preserved when owners change

One of Cyprus’ advantages compared to many other jurisdictions is that when the owners, directors, or beneficiaries of a company change, the original registration date of the company is preserved (according to the Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property Cyprus). This is an important benefit for businesses that value the image of a “mature” company when working with counterparties or platforms.

2. Flexible corporate administration

• You can purchase a ready-made company with VAT and an EU legal address and quickly change the director, shareholders, secretary, and legal address (from 5 business days);
• There are no strict requirements for share capital (standard from 1,000 EUR);
• The use of nominee directors and shareholders is allowed (if necessary);
• Moderate annual administrative and audit costs, especially compared to other popular jurisdictions (e.g., Malta or Switzerland).

3. Tax system

Buying a ready-made company in Cyprus or registering a new business opens up broad opportunities for tax optimization in Cyprus in accordance with international tax planning requirements:

• Corporate tax — 12.5%;
• IP Box regime — an opportunity to significantly reduce the tax burden on income from intellectual property;
• 0% tax on dividends and interest;
• Extensive network of double taxation treaties (more than 65 countries).

Who is a ready-made company in Cyprus suitable for

• Clients who need to quickly set up a company for participation in international tenders or for registration on platforms (Amazon, Google Cloud, etc.);
• IT companies and digital businesses (e-commerce, marketplaces, online services);
• Entrepreneurs who need to buy a ready-made business in Cyprus with a license (hotel, restaurant, B2B/B2C services);
• International holdings and corporate groups wishing to leverage Cyprus’ tax system advantages for business structuring;
• Entrepreneurs planning to purchase a ready-made company with VAT to enter the EU market.

What companies can be purchased in Cyprus

When buying a ready-made business in Cyprus, it is important to understand that the market offers different types of legal entities, and choosing the optimal option depends on your business goals, budget, bank or counterparty requirements, and the speed at which you want to launch your project.

In practice, two main types of ready-made companies are distinguished — a ready-made company with no history or an operating ready-made business in Cyprus with a license and assets.

1. Ready-made company with no history (Clean or Shelf Company)

A Shelf Company (or Clean Company) is a legal entity pre-registered in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Cyprus, which at the time of sale has not conducted any actual business activity. These companies are created for subsequent transfer to the final buyer, who can quickly and legally use the corporate structure for business purposes, bypassing the standard incorporation timeframes.

Such a ready-made company is a fully-fledged legal entity under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus:

• Has a registration number in the Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property Cyprus;
• Has a Memorandum and Articles of Association;
• A director and secretary are appointed (temporarily at the time of creation, until transfer to the new owner);
• Has a registered legal address; VAT number (may be assigned).

Key characteristics:

• Completely “clean” history: no assets, liabilities, or contracts;
• Reporting — either zero or with minimal activity;
• Fast transfer: change of director, shareholders, and secretary possible within 7 business days;
• The company registration is usually not “brand new”: these companies are registered from several months to several years ago, allowing the company to show a “business age.”

In summary, a ready-made company with no history in Cyprus carries no obligations and can be fully adapted to the needs of the new owner — change of name, directors, increase of share capital, amendments to the Articles of Association.

Example:

An EdTech company (digital educational platforms) chooses to buy a ready-made company in Cyprus to address the following needs:

• Registering a corporate account in Stripe, AWS systems that require a legal entity with an EU address and an active VAT number;
• Opening a corporate bank account in Cyprus to receive international payments from platform users;
• Working with external suppliers and services that require a counterparty from an EU jurisdiction (such as Google Cloud, etc.).

Also read: TOP-7 reasons why IT companies choose Cyprus

2. Operating business for sale in Cyprus

The second type is a ready-made business in Cyprus with an actual business activity history. These companies are not just registered but were actively operating at the time of sale.

This refers to companies that at the time of sale:

• Had an active office in Cyprus;
• Had open bank accounts with real payment history and transaction records;
• Filed reports with actual data on turnover, expenses, and taxes;
• Owned assets — licenses, trademarks;
• May have obligations — loans, leases, legal disputes.

Advantages of buying an operating business in Cyprus:

• Existing client base and market reputation;
• Established business processes;
• Licenses that are often difficult to obtain when registering a new company.

Who it suits: Entrepreneurs who want to enter a specific sector with an already established operational structure or who need to have an active VAT number and substance.You can buy an operating business in Cyprus in various sectors. Popular options include hotels, apartments, and guesthouses; restaurants, cafes, and bars with an active license, equipment, and staff; retail stores with VAT, trading premises, and established supplier relationships; and other B2C and B2B service sectors.

Also read: Buying a hotel in Cyprus — a practical case from the Feod Group team

How to choose the right ready-made business in Cyprus

Understanding which type of ready-made company in Cyprus to choose directly depends on your business goals, industry, and the speed required to launch your project.

If you need a clean legal tool for a quick start, it is optimal to consider purchasing a ready-made company with no history (Clean or Shelf Company). These companies are reasonably priced, ready to transfer within a few business days, and allow flexible structuring to meet specific needs.

At the same time, buying an operating business in Cyprus is an option for investors and entrepreneurs who want to enter a specific sector of the Cyprus or EU market with minimal startup and licensing costs.

Every transaction requires professional preparation and legal analysis. Consulting with lawyers in Cyprus will help you minimize risks and successfully integrate the purchased company into your business structure.

Structure of a ready-made Cypriot company

For the business to comply with Cypriot corporate standards, the company must include:

• Shareholder(s) — at least 1 (individual or legal entity, can be a foreigner);
• Director — at least 1 (a Cyprus resident is recommended for tax residency and substance requirements);
• Secretary — mandatory (Cyprus resident);
• Legal address — must be registered in Cyprus;
• Share capital — from 1,000 EUR (unless otherwise provided for the type of business).

Step-by-step process of purchasing a ready-made company in Cyprus

1. Defining goals and selecting the company

   Feod Group lawyers analyze your objectives and select the optimal structure.

2. Company due diligence

   Mandatory checks: debts and obligations; legal disputes; financial audit for recent periods; licenses and permits; corporate history and ownership structure.

3. Transaction support

   Negotiating transaction terms with the seller; drafting the purchase agreement; protecting the buyer’s interests at all transaction stages.

4. Registration of changes

   Filing all corporate changes with the Cyprus Companies Register (change of shareholders, directors, secretary, legal address); obtaining official confirmation documents.

5. Post-sale support

   Audit, accounting, tax planning — the Feod Group team provides full support.

What are the risks when buying a ready-made business in Cyprus?

Risks and what to pay attention to when buying a ready-made business:

• Debts and financial obligations;
• Legal cases and corporate disputes;
• Tax arrears;
• Compliance with licensing requirements;
• Verification of intellectual property rights.

Working with a professional legal team allows you to minimize these risks.

How Feod Group can help you buy a ready-made business in Cyprus

We have been working in Cyprus since 2007 and our practice includes supporting transactions for the purchase of ready-made companies:

• Selection of suitable companies;
• Due diligence of financial, tax, and legal aspects of the transaction;
• Support of purchase transactions;
• Registration of changes in the corporate register;
• Tax planning and structure optimization;
• Assistance in opening bank accounts;
• Further business support.

The Feod Group team is ready to assist you at all stages — from choosing a ready-made company to safe transaction execution and ongoing business support in Cyprus.

If you want to buy a ready-made business in Cyprus or learn about available options, contact us.

We will be happy to welcome you at our office in Larnaca!