Updated: June 10, 2024
On November 30, 2023, an amendment to the Civil Registry Law was voted.
In short, the new law for Cyprus citizenship provides as follows:
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.
To apply for Cyprus citizenship, highly skilled foreign workers must have:
To apply for Cyprus citizenship, all other applicants must have:
Application details:
As per the new Cyprus citizenship law, applications for naturalisation for highly skilled foreign workers must be processed within eight months.
Male applicants who acquire Cyprus citizenship by naturalisation (years of residence) are obliged for military service. This obligation is as follows:
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.
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.
What are the revised rules for Cyprus citizenship based on years of residency?
The general rule is that you can apply for citizenship if you have seven years of lawful residence out of ten and twelve months of continuous residence in the Republic (a total of 90 days’ absence allowed) before applying. The twelve months are not included in the seven years.
You must have a B1 certificate of knowledge of the Greek language and be of good character. The revised rules, however, make an exception for highly skilled workers of foreign companies, offering a more flexible pathway to citizenship.
You are eligible for citizenship if you have three years of residence and a certificate B1 of the Greek language or four years of residence and a certificate A2 of the Greek language. The twelve-month requirement remains.
This flexibility in the new rules is designed to encourage highly skilled workers to consider Cyprus as a potential destination for their future.
How many years does it take to get Cyprus citizenship according to Cyprus citizenship new law?
The new law, specifically designed for highly skilled workers in foreign companies, provides a clear and straightforward pathway to citizenship. It is three years out of ten if you hold a certificate B1 of the Greek language or four years out of ten if you hold a level A2 certificate.
Plus, you need twelve months of continuous stay in the Republic before applying. The twelve months are additional to the three or four years. They must be continuous, but 90 days of absence are allowed.
Are employees of international companies eligible to get Cyprus citizenship?
Yes, employees of international companies are eligible to get Cyprus citizenship. If they are highly skilled, they need three years out of ten and a certificate B1 of the Greek language or four years out of ten and a level A2 certificate.
Plus, they need twelve months of continuous stay in the Republic before applying. The twelve months are additional to the three or four years.
A highly skilled worker holds a University degree or equivalent or two years of experience in a relevant position.
Other staff members are covered by the general rule that says you can apply for citizenship if you have seven years of lawful residence out of ten and twelve months of continuous residence in the Republic (a total of 90 days’ absence allowed) before applying. The twelve months are not included in the seven years.
Applicants in all categories need to be of good character.
George K. Konstantinou
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