Does buying property in Cyprus give me citizenship?

No. The Cyprus citizenship-by-investment programme (the “golden passport”) was abolished in November 2020. A €300,000-plus property purchase now gives you permanent residency, not a passport. You can later pursue citizenship only through ordinary naturalisation, which requires actual residence.

How much do I need to invest for Cyprus permanent residency?

At least €300,000 plus VAT in new residential property bought directly from a developer, together with proof of a secured annual income from abroad of at least €50,000 (more for a spouse and each child). The funds must be transferred into Cyprus from overseas.

How fast is the Regulation 6(2) fast-track?

It is designed to be decided in around two months once a complete application is filed, though in practice it can take roughly two to six months. Once granted, the permanent residence status does not expire.

Do I have to live in Cyprus?

There is no minimum-stay requirement, but you must visit Cyprus at least once every two years to keep your permanent residency. Failing to visit within any two-year window can cause the PR to lapse.

Can I buy a resale property to qualify?

No. The fast-track route requires new-build residential property purchased first-hand from the developer. Resale properties do not qualify regardless of their value.

Does Cyprus PR let me travel freely in Europe?

Not automatically. Cyprus is an EU member but is not yet part of the Schengen Area, so permanent residency does not by itself grant Schengen free movement. You would still need appropriate visas to enter other Schengen states.

Who can be included in the application?

Your spouse and dependent children (generally under 18, or up to 25 if they are students and financially dependent). The required foreign income rises for each family member included.

Can I sell the property after getting PR?

The qualifying investment must generally be maintained. Selling it without replacing it with another qualifying investment of at least €300,000 can lead to the loss of permanent residence status.

Residence & citizenship

Cypriot Cyprus Permanent Residence by Investment (Fast-Track, Regulation 6(2))

Cyprus permanent residency by property investment gives non-EU buyers lifelong PR for a €300,000-plus new-build purchase, decided in around two months under the Regulation 6(2) fast-track.

Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced

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Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Cyprus government website before you apply.

On this page

Who Cyprus PR by investment is for
Investment and income requirements
The property route in detail
Application process and timeline
What Cyprus PR gives you
Costs, fees and taxes
Recent changes and restrictions
Frequently asked questions

Minimum property investment: €300,000 (plus VAT); New-build residential property purchased directly from a developer; resale property does not qualify.
Secured annual income: From €50,000 per year; Increased by roughly €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 for each dependent child; must originate abroad.
Source of funds: Transferred from abroad; The purchase price must be paid in full from a foreign account before submission.
Processing time: Approx. 2 months (fast-track); Regulation 6(2) targets around two months; in practice roughly 2–6 months.
Permit validity: Permanent (lifelong); Does not expire; no renewals required.
Minimum stay: None, but visit every 2 years; No residency obligation, but PR is lost if the holder does not visit Cyprus at least once every two years.
Family included: Spouse and dependent children; Dependent children generally up to 18 (or up to 25 if students and financially dependent), subject to the income add-ons.
Citizenship by investment: Abolished (Nov 2020); The Cyprus Investment Programme ended in November 2020; investment no longer grants a passport.
Path to citizenship: Standard naturalisation only; PR holders may later naturalise under normal residence/physical-presence rules, not via the investment route.

Who Cyprus PR by investment is for

The fast-track programme suits financially independent non-EU nationals who want secure, permanent EU-country residency and a Mediterranean base without a relocation requirement. It is popular with UK, Middle Eastern and Asian buyers seeking a stable, English-friendly jurisdiction with a straightforward, once-and-done permanent status.

Non-EU (third-country) nationals with clean due-diligence records
Investors wanting lifelong PR rather than a temporary permit
Applicants with reliable foreign income of at least €50,000 a year
Families seeking to include a spouse and dependent children

Investment and income requirements

Under Regulation 6(2) the standard and most common route is a €300,000 (plus VAT) investment in new residential property. The rules also allow the €300,000 to go into other categories such as shares in a Cyprus company with local staff, or units in Cypriot investment funds, but residential property is by far the most used option. Alongside the investment you must show a secured annual income from abroad of at least €50,000, rising for each dependant.

€300,000 (plus VAT) in new-build residential property — the mainstream route
Alternative €300,000 routes: Cyprus company shares or Cypriot investment-fund units
Secured foreign annual income from €50,000 (plus add-ons for family)
Full purchase price transferred from abroad before applying

The property route in detail

The property must be brand new and bought first-hand from a development company — resale homes do not qualify regardless of price, and (under the current rules) the qualifying investment must be residential rather than commercial. You may buy up to two residential units to reach the €300,000, provided they are part of the same contract/sale from the same developer. The investment must generally be retained; selling it without a replacement qualifying investment can cost you PR status.

New-build only, purchased directly from the developer
Resale property is excluded, whatever its value
Residential property (up to two units in one transaction may combine)
Investment must be retained to keep PR

Application process and timeline

After reserving the property and transferring funds from abroad, you submit the Regulation 6(2) application to the Civil Registry and Migration Department with proof of the investment, foreign income, a clean criminal record and health insurance. The fast-track is designed to be decided in roughly two months, giving a permanent residence card that does not need renewing.

Reserve/purchase the qualifying new-build property
Transfer the full price from a foreign bank account
File the Regulation 6(2) application with income, health-insurance and clean-record proof
Receive permanent residency — typically around two months

What Cyprus PR gives you

Permanent residency in an EU member state that never expires, the right to live in Cyprus indefinitely, and family inclusion. Because Cyprus is not yet in the Schengen Area, PR does not grant automatic free movement across Schengen; it does, however, offer a stable EU base and a future path to citizenship by ordinary naturalisation.

Lifelong EU-country permanent residence
Right to reside in Cyprus with your family
Not Schengen — no automatic free movement across Schengen states
Eligibility, in time, for standard naturalisation

Costs, fees and taxes

On top of the €300,000 investment, budget for VAT on the property (a reduced 5% rate may apply to a first/main home within size limits, otherwise 19%), transfer/registration fees, legal fees and per-applicant government charges. Cyprus offers an attractive tax regime, including non-domicile status that can exempt qualifying foreign dividend and interest income from local tax.

VAT on the new property (reduced 5% may apply to a main home; otherwise 19%)
Legal fees, stamp duty and property transfer/registration fees
Per-applicant immigration/government fees
Favourable non-dom tax regime for qualifying residents

Recent changes and restrictions

The headline structural change is the abolition of the Cyprus Investment Programme (citizenship by investment) in November 2020 — so, unlike a decade ago, investment buys permanent residency, not a passport. The PR rules were also tightened to require new-build residential property, foreign-sourced income and full up-front payment. Across Europe, Spain abolished its golden visa (effective 3 April 2025) and Portugal removed property (October 2023), which has increased interest in the Cyprus €300,000 PR route.

Citizenship-by-investment abolished (November 2020)
PR now requires new-build residential property and foreign income
Full purchase price must be paid from abroad before applying
Wider context: Spain scrapped its golden visa (2025); Portugal dropped property (2023)

Frequently asked questions

No. The Cyprus citizenship-by-investment programme (the “golden passport”) was abolished in November 2020. A €300,000-plus property purchase now gives you permanent residency, not a passport. You can later pursue citizenship only through ordinary naturalisation, which requires actual residence.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-09-14. Information only — not legal advice.

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