Cyprus Citizenship New Law

On November 30, 2023, an amendment to the Civil Registry Law was voted.

In short, the new law for Cyprus citizenship provides as follows:

• Highly skilled foreign workers with four years of lawful residence can apply for citizenship if they possess a B1 certificate in the Greek language (lower intermediate level).
• Highly skilled foreign workers with five years of lawful residence can apply for citizenship if they possess an A2 certificate in the Greek language (elementary level).
• All other third-country nationals must satisfy the eight years of lawful residence.
• For all types of applicants, the number of years includes the 12 months of continuous residence in the Republic required before applying.
• Absences of a total of 90 days in these 12 months are allowed.

Thus, the revised law offers a new route to citizenship for highly skilled workers employed by foreign companies. A highly skilled worker holds a university degree or diploma or has at least two years of certified experience in a relevant job.

The new law was passed as an amendment to the Civil Registry Law of Cyprus and given the number 149(I)/2023. It was published in the Cyprus Republic Official Gazette on December 19, 2023. The relevant section is 111B (2).

At the end of May 2024, legislation was passed to the effect that highly skilled foreign workers do not have to have language certificates if they hold a school leaving certificate or a University degree taught in Greek.

There are also revised criteria for all citizenship applications, as explained below.

New requirements for Cyprus citizenship by naturalisation

To apply for Cyprus citizenship, highly skilled foreign workers must have:

1. Twelve months of lawful stay in the Republic (up to 90 days’ absence allowed*) plus lawful stay of 3 years and a certificate B1 in the Greek language, OR, 12 months of lawful stay in the Republic (up to 90 days’ absence allowed*) plus lawful stay of 4 years and a certificate A2 in the Greek language. The examinations are conducted via the Ministry of Education.
2. Good character.
3. Sufficient understanding of the socio-political realities in the Republic (at least 60% at the relevant examinations conducted by the Ministry of Education).
4. Adequate accommodation and stable and regular financial means to support themselves and their families (contract of sale or rental, rental payment and utility receipts, proof of salary, employment contract, income tax statement, social security and bank account documentation).

To apply for Cyprus citizenship, all other applicants must have:

1. Twelve months lawful stay in the Republic (up to 90 days absence allowed*), plus lawful stay of seven years (7x 365 days = 2555 days of stay**) out of the previous ten years. In total, this amounts to 8 years of legal stay.
2. Certificate B1 of knowledge of the Greek language (as described above).
3. Good character.
4. Sufficient understanding of the socio-political realities in the Republic (at least 60% at the relevant examinations conducted by the Ministry of Education).
5. Adequate accommodation and stable and regular financial means to support themselves and their families (contract of sale or rental, rental payment and utility receipts, proof of salary, employment contract, income tax statement, social security and bank account documentation).

* If you exceed 90 days, the 12-month continuum is interrupted. You will need to start again. Our advice to clients is that 7/3/4 out of 10 years plus immediate 12 months is a legal criterion that must be followed; otherwise, the application will be rejected.

** The day of arrival counts as a day in Cyprus, and the day of departure from Cyprus as a day out.

Family members can also apply for citizenship

• Family members are spouses, partners, and dependent adult children with disabilities.
• They must reside in the country for at least seven calendar years within the previous eleven years.
• They must also have legally lived in Cyprus for one year before applying. However, they can be absent for up to 90 days in the previous year.
• Fulfill the language requirements.

Application details:

• Location: the relevant District Administration office.
• Application Form: M127.
• Fee: EUR 500 plus 2 stamps EUR 8,54 each.
• Upon approval: EUR 500 fee for citizenship registration.

Timeline for examination of applications – 8-month rule

As per the new Cyprus citizenship law, applications for naturalisation for highly skilled foreign workers must be processed within eight months.

Military service

Male applicants who acquire Cyprus citizenship by naturalisation (years of residence) are obliged for military service. This obligation is as follows:

• If you are between 18 and 26, you will serve for 6 months in the military. You must join within two years of acquiring citizenship. If you delay, you will serve an additional two months (a total of 8 months).
• If you are over 26, you must serve for 3 months in the military. If you delay, you will serve another 2 months (5 months).

Your district military office

If you did not receive any military documents upon acquiring citizenship, contact the military office in the district where you applied for citizenship. They will provide your army number and relevant documents.

Military conscription happens every July (the first ten days) at the nearest military camp. Your nearest military office will explain the details, so contact them when you acquire citizenship. The address for each district is available at http://www.army.gov.cy/el/contact.

Conclusion

The new Cyprus Citizenship Law represents a significant opportunity for foreign nationals and their families. They have a unique chance to get a Cyprus passport.

Contact our legal team for more information on the Cyprus Citizenship Law changes.

Our team can offer the following

• Advice on the new criteria
• Guidance as to the requirements based on the applicant's case
• Submission of the application

Frequently asked questions