Residency
Malta
Permanent residence in an EU member state through Malta's Permanent Residence Programme, with no physical stay requirement.
- Min. investment
- €375,000+
- Time to approval
- 6–8 months
- You receive
- Residence permit
Residency by Investment
Cyprus Golden Visa
Cyprus's golden visa: lifetime permanent residence in an EU island nation through a €300,000 investment, with minimal presence obligations.
Time to residency
6–8 months
Minimum investment
€300,000+
Program Overview
About the Cyprus program
In brief
The Cyprus program is a residency-by-investment program that grants the right to live in Cyprus. The minimum qualifying investment is €300,000+, and approvals typically take 6–8 months. Presence requirement: One visit every 2 years. Figures are indicative minimums for the main applicant.
Cyprus grants permanent residence for life in a single decision to investors placing €300,000 in qualifying real estate, funds, or company shares.
With an English-speaking business environment, an attractive tax regime, and a single required visit every two years, it suits families seeking a durable EU foothold without relocation.
Presence requirement
One visit every 2 years
Document validity
Permanent residence granted for life
Dual nationality
Residence status — your current citizenship is unaffected
How it compares
Cyprus against other residency programs
Where Cyprus sits among the 8 residency by investment programs we advise on. The gold marker is the peer average.
Minimum investment (lower is better)€300,000
Peer average $428kBelow the peer average
Time to approval (lower is better)6–8 months
Peer average ≈ 14 monthsBelow the peer average
Investment is compared on a USD-normalized basis; the label shows this program's own currency. Time uses the upper end of the published range. Figures are indicative.
Key Benefits
- Permanent residence granted for life in a single decision
- An EU member state with an attractive tax regime
- Covers spouse and dependent children
- Only one visit every two years required to maintain status
The Life It Unlocks
Mediterranean permanence for the patient investor.
Granted for life
Cyprus permanent residency doesn't expire and doesn't demand your presence — a standing option that waits as long as you need.
An island in the EU
An English-speaking, common-law EU base between three continents — practical for business, effortless for family.
The household covered
Spouse and children within one application — the family's Mediterranean foothold in a single approval.
Investment Pathways
Residential Real Estate
From €300,000
Purchase of new residential property in Cyprus (plus VAT), maintained for the duration of the status.
Held for the duration of the permit
Funds or Company Shares
From €300,000
Investment in units of registered Cypriot investment funds or shares of Cypriot companies with local operations.
Held for the duration of the permit
Explore your route
From (indicative)
$327,000
Capital treatment
Held for the duration of the permit
Purchase of new residential property in Cyprus (plus VAT), maintained for the duration of the status.
Who comes with you
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Dependent children under 25
Family additions are quoted individually — request your exact figure
Application Timeline
Your dates
Complete files are typically processed in 6–8 months.
Indicative — based on typical processing of 6–8 months for complete files. Government timelines are not guaranteed.
- 1
Months 1–2
Investment selection
Selection and legal verification of the qualifying investment.
- 2
Months 2–3
Application submission
Submission to the Civil Registry and Migration Department under the fast-track provision.
- 3
Months 3–6
Government processing
Review of the application and supporting evidence.
- 4
Months 6–8
Permanent residence
Grant of permanent residence; biometrics captured in Cyprus.
Requirements
- Qualifying investment of at least €300,000 from funds transferred from abroad
- Secure annual income of at least €50,000 (higher with dependants)
- Clean criminal record
- Visit Cyprus at least once every two years
Family Eligibility
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Dependent children under 25
What to Weigh
Honest advice includes the trade-offs. Before committing to the Cyprus program, consider:
- Permanent residence does not allow employment in Cyprus (operating your own company is permitted).
- The €50,000 secure-income requirement is checked annually in practice — it must come from abroad.
- Cyprus is not yet in Schengen; the permit doesn't currently confer Schengen mobility.
Does Cyprus fit you?
Three questions, scored by the same engine as our Program Finder — with an honest answer, even when it isn't this program.
What are you ultimately looking for?
What investment level are you comfortable with?
How soon do you want this in hand?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cyprus PR give me Schengen access?
Not yet — Cyprus is an EU member but not yet part of Schengen. Full accession is anticipated, at which point the mobility value of the permit increases substantially.
Can the investment be resold?
The qualifying investment must be maintained for as long as you hold the status; replacing one qualifying asset with another is possible with approval.
Is there a path to Cypriot citizenship?
Only through genuine long-term residence and naturalisation under general law — the PR program itself does not lead to a passport.
Alternatives
Related Programs
Families often weigh this program against these alternatives.
Residency
Residency
Portugal
Europe's best-known golden visa: EU residency with a minimal stay requirement and a potential path to citizenship after seven to ten years of legal residence.
- Min. investment
- €500,000+
- Time to approval
- 10–14 months
- You receive
- Residence permit
Residency
Greece
One of Europe's most affordable golden visas: Greek residency through real estate, with no stay requirement to renew.
- Min. investment
- €250,000+
- Time to approval
- 3–6 months
- You receive
- Residence permit
Begin Your Journey
Request a private assessment to see whether the Cyprus program is the right fit.
Cyprus · 6–8 months