Cyprus Citizenship

Cyprus, with its sunny climate, azure warm sea, stable economy, favorable taxation, and business opportunities, attracts the attention of many individuals seeking to obtain European citizenship. Cyprus citizenship opens numerous doors for its holders, providing access to new opportunities and advantages.

Advantages of Cyprus Citizenship

✔ Freedom of Movement and Choice

As a citizen of Cyprus, you automatically acquire European Union citizenship. A Cypriot passport grants you the right to visa-free entry into 181 countries worldwide. With this passport, you can freely reside not only in Cyprus but also in any other European Union country. Additionally, you have the right to free movement throughout Europe, access to education, and employment opportunities.

✔ High Quality of Life and Stability

Cyprus boasts stable economic indicators, ensuring a high standard of available social benefits for its citizens.

✔ Dual Citizenship

Cyprus permits multiple citizenships, eliminating the need to renounce previous citizenships. Acquiring Cypriot citizenship allows flexible management of one’s status and assets.

✔ Asset and Capital Protection

Cyprus offers a unique opportunity to structure corporate entities while combining them with immigration status and citizenship, maximizing benefits and protecting assets.

✔ Social Security

As a Cypriot citizen, you are entitled to European pensions, unemployment benefits, and more.

Conditions for Obtaining Cyprus Citizenship

✅ By Descent

• Applicants born abroad after August 16, 1960, with a Cypriot father at the time of their birth, or born abroad after June 11, 1999, with a Cypriot mother at the time of their birth, may be eligible.

✅ By Marriage to a Cypriot Citizen

Cyprus law provides two main routes to obtain citizenship through marriage:

1. Spouses residing in Cyprus: Foreign spouses of Cypriot citizens living on the island can apply for Cypriot citizenship after three years of marriage and two years of residence in Cyprus at the time of application. This pathway offers a relatively straightforward and fast track to citizenship for spouses living in Cyprus.
2. Spouses residing abroad: For spouses of Cypriot citizens residing outside Cyprus, citizenship can be applied for after three years of marriage. However, the couple must provide substantial reasons for their request if married for less than five years and having at least one common child.

The processing time for this type of application is approximately 1-2 years.

✅ By Permanent Residence in Cyprus – Naturalization:

The naturalization process for Cyprus citizenship is based on the amount of time spent on the island. Applicants can apply after living in Cyprus for either 4-8 years, depending on their residency status.

• Cases requiring 8 years of residency. This applies to most foreign nationals living in Cyprus. Foreigners who wish to apply for citizenship through naturalization must have legally resided in Cyprus for 7 out of the last 10 years prior to the application, plus an additional 12 months immediately before submitting their application.

✅ Residence in Cyprus 4-5 years:

On November 30, 2023, the “Law on Granting Citizenship to Highly Qualified Foreign Specialists in an Expedited Procedure” was approved in Cyprus.

This new procedure is available to highly paid third country professionals working for Cypriot companies or international business companies in Cyprus and who have lived in Cyprus not the standard seven years required in the normal naturalization procedure, but only four or five years. However, a prerequisite is knowledge of the Greek language at level A2 or B1. This innovation will open up additional opportunities for talented professionals and specialists who wish to become citizens of Cyprus in a shorter period of time.

Read more: Naturalization process for highly qualified professionals – https://investment-cyprus.com/cyprus-simplifies-naturalization-process-for-highly-qualified-professionals/

Key Criteria for Naturalization in Cyprus

To qualify for Cyprus citizenship through naturalization, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

1. Valid Residence Permit (Permanent Residence) in Cyprus: The applicant must hold a valid residence permit in Cyprus.
2. Continuous Residence in Cyprus: The candidate must have continuously resided in Cyprus for the last 12 months immediately preceding the submission of the citizenship application.
3. Timely Payment of Taxes: The applicant must provide evidence of timely tax payments in Cyprus.
4. Clean Criminal Record: The candidate must submit evidence of having no criminal convictions, administrative fines, or ongoing legal proceedings to demonstrate their good character.
5. Proficiency in the Greek Language: Proficiency in the Greek language is a requirement for naturalization as a Cypriot citizen.

We provide a full range of legal services related to this process, including consultations, document preparation, and assistance at every stage.

Feel free to contact us, and we would be delighted to welcome you to our office in Larnaca!