Cyprus citizenship is the legal status of a person, which determines his connection with the state, mutual rights and obligations, and the entire list of freedoms provided by law. The procedure for issuing a Cypriot passport is regulated by the Cypriot Citizenship Law of 1967. You can obtain citizenship of a European Union country through birth, naturalization, marriage to a local resident, as well as on other grounds.
A Cyprus passport gives its holder all the rights that EU citizens have – freedom of movement and choice of place of residence in the European Union, employment, doing business without special permits and restrictions, studying at leading European universities, visa-free travel to 176 countries.
Obtaining Cypriot citizenship: methods, processing time and cost
Immigration policy in Cyprus changes periodically and recent amendments to legislation have made it easier to acquire citizenship through economic investment. Previously, there were two options for obtaining a Cyprus passport for investment – an individual contribution from 5,000,000 EUR or from 2,500,000 EUR with partners (at least five investors in the group). In 2019, the collective investment scheme was abolished, and for individual investments the minimum amount was reduced to EUR 2,000,000.
On October 13, 2020, Cyprus announced the cancellation of the investment program for acquiring citizenship. Despite the fact that the country’s government is striving to attract more and more foreign investors to establish and permanently reside on the island, the “golden passport” program of Cyprus is closed. Previously submitted applications will be considered, but new ones will not be accepted. Despite the cancellation of the program, investments in the Cypriot economy in 2022 still remain promising, allowing foreigners to obtain residency and be legalized through naturalization with a Cypriot passport. For many migrants, other relocation options are also relevant.
Comparison of methods for obtaining a Cyprus passport
| Basis for obtaining citizenship | Deadlines | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | Immediately after birth | 20 EUR |
| Marriage | 3 years | 200 EUR — state fee for issuing a residence permit 300 EUR — fee for obtaining citizenship |
| Naturalization | 7 years | 200 EUR — state fee for issuing a residence permit 1000 EUR — fee for obtaining citizenship |
| Investments | 7 years | From 300,000 EUR investments About 1200 EUR for paperwork |
Cyprus Citizenship by Investment
Investments in the local economy and investments in the purchase of real estate are the basis for issuing a residence permit status with subsequent acquisition of citizenship through naturalization. To obtain a resident card, a foreign investor needs to make an investment of at least 300,000 EUR in:
- real estate (residential and commercial);
- joint stock fund of a Cyprus company;
- shares of local investment funds.
You can return your investment after the card expires or you acquire citizenship. The application for permanent residence together with the investor may include members of his family – spouse, minors, as well as financially dependent on the applicant and unmarried children under the age of 25 years. After 5 years of residence in Cyprus and while maintaining investments, the applicant can become the owner of a permanent resident card, and after another two years apply for citizenship under the general naturalization scheme.
Citizenship by naturalization
Naturalization is the process of long-term residence in the territory of another state with gradual integration into society. In the case of Cyprus, to be able to apply for a passport, a foreigner must live in the country for at least 7 years – the first 5 years on the basis of a residence permit and 2 years on permanent residence. After this period has expired, the migrant can apply for citizenship. Requirements for a candidate for a Cypriot passport by naturalization:
- continuous presence in the country for the last 12 months before submitting the application;
- legal residence in the state for 7 years;
- having a stable source of income;
- timely payment of taxes and utility bills;
- absence of criminal records, fines, administrative penalties and open trials.
The naturalization procedure includes the following steps:
- Visa application.
For Russians and Belarusians, it is mandatory to obtain a visa permit if they stay in the country for more than 90 days within one half-year. Ukrainians can stay in the country for the same period on the basis of a biometric passport. According to the migration policy of Cyprus, to live on the island for 3 months or more, you need to apply for a national or Schengen visa . The applicant must contact the consulate, embassy or visa center at the place of residence, having prepared documents: an application, a foreign passport valid for at least 3 months, two photographs measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm, a copy of the internal passport (for citizens of the Russian Federation), a certificate about income and a copy of a residence voucher, a real estate purchase agreement or other proof of housing availability. A visa is issued free of charge. - Obtaining a residence permit.
A temporary residence permit allows the applicant to cross borders multiple times, stay in the country for the duration of the document and work, study, run a business or buy real estate, depending on the features of the card. A request for a residence permit is submitted to the Department of Population Registration and Immigration. The basic dossier includes an application form, a foreign passport, two photographs, proof of housing and financial security, and medical insurance. Depending on the grounds, certificates of marriage and birth of children may be additionally required. Fees for filing and processing the application – 70 EUR. - Registration of permanent residence.
You can apply for permanent resident status after 5 years of residence in the country on the basis of a residence permit. The application is submitted to the Department of Population and Immigration with the following documents: a valid residence permit, tax returns, statements of income and housing (own or provided by the employer), health insurance, a certificate of good conduct and a certificate of basic language proficiency. The cost of submitting a request is 30 EUR. - Obtaining citizenship.
After expiration of the 7-year period of legal stay in Cyprus, the applicant can begin the process of acquiring citizenship. The first step is to publish two advertisements in local newspapers about the desire to obtain a Cypriot passport. The next step is to collect a dossier and submit a request to the Department of Population and Immigration. During the application review process, a foreigner needs to undergo two interviews – at the city district administration and at the migration service. The conversation, as a rule, takes place in a friendly tone; the applicant needs to tell about his employment, residence on the island, and plans for the future. You must answer in Greek. Registration of citizenship by naturalization involves payment of a fee of 500 EUR for processing the application and the same amount if it is approved. The period for consideration of the request reaches two years.
In order to be able to acquire citizenship, a foreigner must initially obtain a residence permit and permanent residence permit, the grounds for which are considered to be:
- Family reunification.
Spouses and their minor children, parents of Cypriot citizens can obtain a residence permit in connection with reunification. The main requirements relate to the financial ability of the inviting person to provide for arriving relatives and the availability of housing. The applicant must confirm the absence of a criminal record, tax debts, and infectious diseases. The residence permit card is issued by the Department of Civil Registry and Migration. - Labor employment.
An application for a permit for entry, temporary residence and employment, together with a contract, is submitted by the employer to the civil registration and migration department through the relevant district department. Upon arrival, third-country nationals must register at the relevant district office of the Aliens and Immigration Police Department by providing biometric data. The maximum period of stay of third-country nationals for the purpose of employment is 4 years, with the exception of the livestock and agriculture sectors, where the maximum period is set at 6 years. - Studies.
Foreigners who are enrolled as pupils/students of local educational institutions can obtain a residence permit for the duration of their studies. To do this, they need to confirm the fact of admission to a university, college, school, as well as the availability of sufficient funds to pay for study and living expenses. A minor child can immigrate together with his parents or guardians, who, on the same basis, receive the right to a residence permit. - For investment.
Investments in investment shares, local businesses or real estate in the amount of EUR 300,000 or more allow you to obtain a residence permit. Together with the investor, his family members can apply for a residence permit card. To renew residency status and obtain citizenship, the applicant must maintain investments. Once the relocation goal is achieved, the investor can get their investment back.
Citizenship by birth
Persons born:
- abroad after 16 August 1960 from a Cypriot father or after 11 June 1999 from a Cypriot mother. Candidates can apply for citizenship even after reaching the age of majority;
- before 16 August 1960, who are citizens of the United Kingdom and its former colonies, of male descent from Cyprus and domiciled abroad;
- before 11 June 1999 in Cyprus or abroad from a national mother and a foreign father;
- from 16 August 1960, whose parents did not have Cypriot citizenship at the date of their birth.
Registration of citizenship occurs on the basis of confirmed metrics in the Department of Population and Immigration, in local provincial administrations and in the relevant diplomatic authorities when the applicant is abroad (embassies and consulates). Purchasing a passport of origin only requires payment of a fee of 20 EUR.
Citizenship through marriage
Spouses of Cypriots have the opportunity to obtain Cypriot citizenship provided that the official union lasts for at least 3 years, including two years of legal residence of the applicant in the country. The application should be submitted to the provincial administrations at the place of residence for citizens of the Republic or to the nearest consulates/embassies for foreigners, paying a fee of 300 EUR. The applicant must confirm his trustworthiness with a certificate of no criminal record.
The administration reserves the right to conduct additional checks by interviewing neighbors and relatives about the relationship between the spouses. Consideration of the request lasts 1–2 years, after which the applicant receives a certificate of citizenship, on the basis of which a passport is issued.
Refusal to obtain citizenship
Reasons for a negative decision by the authorities in granting a Cyprus passport may be:
- presence of a criminal record in any country in the world, offenses, fines;
- dangerous diseases that can pose a threat to others;
- incomplete package of documents, errors in filling out the dossier, inaccurate or false data;
- insufficient level of financial support in accordance with the basis for applying for citizenship;
- lack of a place for permanent residence (own or rented);
- violation of the country’s migration policy.
It is recommended to contact specialists regarding the correct preparation of documents. Migration lawyers will take into account and mitigate all possible risks.
Required documents
The list of documents for obtaining citizenship depends on the method of legalization. In this matter, it is best to consult with professionals. Our specialists know the current requirements of migration policy and, in accordance with them, will help you prepare a dossier without errors.
Basic package
Regardless of the method of acquiring citizenship, each applicant, whether a citizen of Russia or a foreigner from any third country, needs to collect a dossier:
- statement;
- birth certificate;
- certificate of no criminal record;
- a report on all entries and exits from the territory of Cyprus;
- two passport size photos;
- receipt for payment of state duty;
- copies of foreign passport.
Accompanying documents issued in a language other than Greek or English must be translated and properly certified, that is, have an apostille.
Documents confirming the basis
For each method of acquiring citizenship, additional documents are provided:
- marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, copy of the Cypriot spouse’s passport, declaration of harmonious residence and certificate of cohabitation from the community;
- copies of parents’ passports and their registration certificate;
- copies of advertisements in a daily newspaper of two consecutive publications announcing that the applicant has applied for citizenship.
Documents for obtaining a Cyprus passport
To district administrations, citizen service centers and post offices, an applicant who intends to issue an identity card must submit:
- a completed application form, which can be downloaded from the website of the Department of Population and Immigration;
- original birth certificate;
- Cyprus citizenship certificate;
- receipt for payment of a fee of 70 EUR.
Applying for a Cyprus passport
From July 30, 2020, all types of Cypriot passports (ordinary, diplomatic and official) are issued in a new version. Each of the documents is biometric and meets all the requirements established by international and European legislation, and, therefore, has an increased level of protection against forgery. A regular passport, which is issued to citizens, has a burgundy cover, the inscription “Republic of Cyprus” and an image of the coat of arms. The document is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children.
You can obtain an identity card on the basis of a certificate of citizenship. Procedure for obtaining a passport:
- Filling out an application and collecting a package of documents.
- Payment of the state fee and submission of a request to the district administration, citizen service center at the place of residence.
- Submission of biometric data (fingerprints and photos) at the place where the dossier is provided.
- Receipt of the document from the authority where the request was submitted.
The period for obtaining a passport for a foreign resident can be 2–3 months from the date of submission of the request. The applicant is notified in writing of the document’s readiness.