CYPRUS CITIZENSHIP FOR HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONALS

To qualify for Cyprus citizenship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Eligibility Criteria

Legal and continuous residence in Cyprus for at least 12 months immediately prior to the application. Absences of up to 90 days in total during this period are permitted and donot interrupt the required residency.
Within 10 years preceding the 12-month period, the applicant must have completed:
- 4 years of legal residence if their Greek language proficiency is at level A2.
- 3 years of legal residence if their Greek language proficiency is at level B1.
Applicants must demonstrate good moral character.
Knowledge of the Greek language at A2 or B1 level, is required.
Understanding of Cyprus’s political and social environment.
Applicants must have suitable housing and stable financial resources.
Applicants must express a clear intention to reside in the Republic of Cyprus.

Categories of Highly Skilled Professionals:

Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:

Employment in Foreign Investment Companies
Holders of temporary residence permits for employment in foreign investment companies, occupying the following positions:
- Director
- Specialist
- Key Personnel
Professionals Meeting Salary and Qualification Criteria
Individuals who meet these criteria, regardless of their residence status:
- Minimum gross monthly salary of €2,500.
- A university degree (or equivalent) or at least two years of proven work experience in a relevant field (e.g., supported by tax returns).

Applicants under Category 2 must obtain a certificate from the Business Facilitation Unit or the Civil Registry and Migration Department confirming that their employer meets the criteria outlined in the relevant Council of Ministers Decision.

Accelerated Application Procedure:

Highly skilled professionals and their families may benefit from an expedited application process, with a maximum processing time of 8 months. A fee of €5,000 is required.

Family Members:

Family members may apply for citizenship together with or after the main applicant, provided they meet the relevant residence and language requirements. Eligible family members include:

Spouse or registered partner.
Dependent adult children with disabilities (including long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments).

Application Submission:

Applications must be submitted at the local district administrative offices.
All necessary documents duly certified, and translated, must be submitted along with the application.
A government fee of €500 is payable at the time of submission.

CYPRUS CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION

As of December 19, 2023, the Amendment of 2023 to Civil Registry Law has come into effect. Under its provisions, adults seeking Cypriot citizenship by naturalization must meet the following cumulative requirements:

Eligibility Criteria

Legal and continuous residence in Cyprus for at least 12 months immediately prior to the application. Absences of up to 90 days in total during this period are permitted and do not interrupt the required residency.
Within the 10 years preceding the 12-month period, the applicant must have legally resided in Cyprus for a total of at least 7 years.
Applicants must demonstrate good moral character.
Greek language proficiency at B1 level, based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the key aspects of Cyprus’s contemporary political and social environment.
Applicants must have suitable housing and stable financial resources to support themselves and their family.
Applicants must express their intention to reside in the Republic of Cyprus.

Proof of Meeting the Requirements

(d) Greek Language Proficiency:
To prove sufficient knowledge of Greek at B1 level, applicants must present a certificate of passing a Greek language examination. This certificate can be obtained through examinations conducted by the Greek Language Centre of the Hellenic Republic via:

The Examination Service of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth of Cyprus), or
The School of Modern Greek at the University of Cyprus.

Exemption: The following individuals are exempt from this language requirement:

Holders of secondary school diplomasissued by accredited educational institutions where Greek was the primary language of instruction.
Graduates of higher education institutionswho completed their studies in Greek.

(e) Knowledge of Cyprus’s Political and Social Reality:
This requirement is fulfilled by passing an examination on key aspects of Cyprus’s political and social environment, with a minimum passing score of 60%. The examination is conducted by the Examination Service of the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth of Cyprus.
(f) Financial Stability and Accommodation: Applicants must provide evidence of financial solvency and adequate housing through the following documents:

Housing Documents:
Title deeds for a residential property, a sale agreement with payment receipts, a rental agreement with payment receipts, utility bills.
Proof of Employment or Income:
Pay slips, an employment contract, social insurance statements, tax returns, bank statements, or any other documents confirming the applicant’s income and financial stability.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Vizus team will guide you every step through the complex process of applying for Cyprus citizenship. We provide a comprehensive range of services, including:

Consultation on required documents – Guidance on the documents needed for your application submission.
Form completion support – Assistance in filling out the necessary forms, followed by your review.
Clarification of key issues – Addressing any uncertainties or questions you may have.
Document collection assistance – Helping you gather all required paperwork.
Application package preparation – Ensuring your submission meets the required standards.
Court accompaniment – Supporting you and your family at the District Court for signing relevant documents.
Application submission – Filing the completed package with the relevant Authorities.
Status tracking – Monitoring the progress of your application review.
Final steps support – Accompanying you and your family to the Civil Registry and Migration Department to obtain your Cyprus Passport and Identity Card.