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Updated: October 20, 2023
Cyprus Permanent Residency is a legal status that entitles non-EU citizens and qualifying dependents to enter and stay as permanent residents in Cyprus with no limitations. It does not expire; therefore, the holder does not need to renew it. It is also known as a Cyprus immigration permit or unlimited residency.
In 2023, to obtain a Permanent Residency permit in Cyprus with the fast-track option, the applicant must invest at least €300,000 in real estate or other investment options. This residency can cover the whole family and does not expire.
A holder of such a permit can apply for Cyprus citizenship after five years of residing in the country.
The legal basis of the permanent residence scheme is Regulations 5 and 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations.
A PR in Cyprus is divided into several main categories.
“Cyprus residency by buying a property” type of permit is for investors who purchase property in Cyprus and have sufficient income from abroad:
Here is an example of the Cyprus permanent resident card obtained through investment:
This type of permit is for owners and employees of companies with foreign interests:
To learn more about this type of permit, read about Cyprus business visas.
Permanent Residence after 5 years of stay
Non-EU citizens who had resided legally and continuously in Cyprus for five years before the filing of the application and had, for the entire aforementioned period, a valid Cyprus temporary residence card are entitled to apply for the so-called long-term residence permit.
Permanent Residency for EU citizens
This type of residency can be applied by European Union citizens and their family members, also citizens of the EU, after 5 years of continuous legal residence in Cyprus.
Permanent Residency by marriage to Cypriot
Applicants married to Cypriot Citizens, their minor children from a previous marriage, and parents of the Cypriot citizen or parents-in-law are allowed to apply for a residency permit with an unlimited duration which entitles them to residency rights. Read more about PR by marriage.
To qualify for Cyprus residency, investors must follow certain criteria.
If you're an investor looking to obtain permanent residency in Cyprus through means other than real estate investment, you have two options available (same amount of €300,000):
If the investor wishes to sell the investment or the property, he/she must replace it with another of equal or higher value and follow all the abovementioned conditions.
Annual income
The investor must show an annual secured income of at least €50,000 from abroad. This income is increased by €15,000 for the spouse and €10,000 for each underage child of the family.
It can be any income, including salaries, pensions, dividends, fixed deposits, rents, etc. The spouse’s income (if any) can be included in calculating income.
The permanent residency permit covers the spouse and children up to 18 years old.
Also, children between 18 and 25 years old can apply separately for a student immigration permit, provided they fulfill the following:
The PR is kept by the children for life even if they exceed the age of 25 or do not continue to fulfill the above (unmarried, financially dependent, students).
However, their future spouse or child cannot be added as dependents on their PR. If children want to study at the University of Cyprus, they must apply for a temporary residence permit as students. When they finish their studies, regardless of their age, they can apply for PR with the only condition of the extra annual income of €10000.
Applicants must also comply with the following:
To be eligible for this type of permit (slow track), the applicant mainly needs to show:
Cyprus permanent residency category F is flexible and has no strict property purchase requirement. However, it is recommended to buy a property in Cyprus for any amount. It can even be a resale property. The money for the purchase does not need to be transferred from abroad.
The applicant must show a yearly income of at least €9568 for one applicant plus €4613 for each dependent person. This income must be from abroad and can be from salaries, pensions, stock shares, and rents.
The applicant should deposit in his bank account in Cyprus an amount of approximately €15.000 to €20.000, which is not pledged. It is a simple deposit which can be used after applying.
Only children up to 18 years old can apply as a dependent, and their permanent residency will be valid until they turn 18. The parents of the applicants cannot apply as dependents.
Applying for the PR category F with a rented property is also possible. However, the application could be declined by the Migration department. Based on our experience, we recommend applying after purchasing a property.
Read more about Category F permits.
Category F only
The applicant must submit to the Civil Registry and Migration Department a confirmation that they retain the following.
Submitted every year (annually):
Submitted every tree years:
The residence permit will be withdrawn if these documents are not submitted or verified.
The requirement to annually submit proof of the necessary income level has been abolished.
To obtain a permanent residency permit in Cyprus, the applicant needs to apply with the following required documents:
Please note that Criminal Record certificates, marriage & children’s birth certificates should be translated into English and be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or Embassy) of the country that will issue them. And also by the Cyprus Embassy of that Country or bear the APOSTILLE stamp.
The application to obtain a permanent residency can be submitted by the lawyer of the investor, who does not need to be present at the submission. Those applications are only provided at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia, not at the district immigration units of each city.
After the submission, the applicants must give a photo and fingertips so that the residency cards can be issued upon approval. This can be done any time before the final approval at any migration district unit in any city.
Below are the addresses of each city’s immigration unit.
Nicosia | Agamemnonos 6, Engomi, 2411 Nicosia |
Limassol | Franglinou Rousvelt 223, Zakaki, Building ¨D. Nikolaou¨, 2nd floor, 3046 Limassol |
Larnaka | Piale Piasha 75, 6027 Larnaka |
Pafos | Eleftheriou Venizelou & Kaningos 22, 2nd floor, 8021 Pafos |
Famagusta | Eleftherias 83, Tatolos Bld, Derynia Plaza, 1st floor, 5380 Derynia |
On approval, the lawyer will collect the PR cards.
The fast-track Cyprus residency by investment is obtained in about two months. On approval, the lawyer can collect the cards on behalf of the investors.
As of June 2023, the processing time for the application examination under category F can not be estimated. The applications are submitted normally but not processed until further notice by the immigration department.
The cost of the fast-track permanent residency program is €300.000, and it does not include the following fees:
Applicant / applicants’ spouse / children under 18 | €500 for all €70 for each person for registration |
Adult children (each) | €500 €70 for registration |
The fees are the same for Category F permits.
Our team of immigration lawyers in Limassol, Cyprus, is ready to advise and prepare any of the above permanent residency applications. We will support you through all the procedures from initial property purchase, advice on required documents, preparation and submission of the immigration permit applications, and collection of the PR cards.
Contact us for a free personal consultation and learn about our competitive fee services.
Can a student get permanent residence in Cyprus?
No, students cannot obtain permanent residence in Cyprus during their studies. However, they may apply for permanent residence upon completing their studies, provided they meet the necessary criteria.
How to get permanent residency in Cyprus after the study?
According to Cyprus immigration rules, the only way is to follow either of the residency by investment programs.
What is the difference between permanent residency in Cyprus for non-EU and EU citizens?
EU citizens do not need to apply for permanent residence in Cyprus. They simply register after three months to receive a registration certificate. Non-EU citizens with permanent residency cannot travel visa-free to the EU (except Bulgaria and Croatia) or the Schengen area. Additionally, Cyprus permanent residency does not grant the right to live and work in other EU countries.
Is a Cyprus permanent residency the same as Cyprus citizenship?
No, Cyprus permanent residency and citizenship are not the same, although they share similarities. Both allow the holder to live in Cyprus, register a business, and access education and healthcare. They also provide protection under human rights and non-discrimination laws. Permanent residency permits land purchases and, in some cases, employment within the Republic, though with certain limitations and exceptions.
Is it allowed to travel to Europe with a Cyprus residence permit?
Yes, if you are referring to the European Union, but only for Bulgaria and Romania. For other EU member states and European countries, you must adhere to their specific rules and regulations regarding third-country nationals (TCNs).
What is a Cyprus alien card? Does it give any rights?
It is merely a registration certificate, is not considered a valid permit, and does not grant any right to stay.
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