Cyprus — Investor Visa & Business Residency
- Cyprus Investor Visa
- BFU
- Business Residency
- European Base
Programs Available in Cyprus
Real Estate–Linked Investor Visa
The Cyprus Permanent Residency by Investment Program grants lifetime permanent residency to non-EU nationals through a qualifying real estate investment of €300,000, with one of the fastest processing timelines in Europe at approximately 2 to 6 months.
Qualifying real estate routes:
- New residential real estate from a developer: one or two properties with a combined value of at least €300,000 plus VAT. Resale residential properties do not qualify
- Commercial real estate: offices, shops, or hotels worth at least €300,000. Resale properties are permitted in this category
Income requirement:
A secured annual income of at least €50,000, with additional amounts for a spouse and dependent children is required.
Key highlights
- Permanent residency status granted for life. The residence card requires renewal every 10 years
- A personal visit to Cyprus at least once every two years is required to maintain the permit
- Family inclusion: main applicant, spouse, and financially dependent children up to age 25
- No language requirement for the residency application
- Path to Cypriot citizenship after 8 years of actual stay in Cyprus
- Clean criminal record required
Note: Cyprus is an EU member state but is not yet part of the Schengen Area. A Cypriot residence permit does not grant visa-free Schengen travel. Cypriot citizenship does
INGWE manages the full process, from investment selection and due diligence to permit issuance and post-approval support.
Business Facilitation Unit (BFU)
The Cyprus Business Facilitation Unit is a government one-stop shop established to attract foreign companies to Cyprus, streamlining business setup, licensing, and fast-track residence and employment permits for non-EU key personnel.
The BFU is the route for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to establish or relocate a company to Cyprus and secure legal residency for themselves and their key staff, without making a passive investment.
Company eligibility:
- Majority of shares held by non-EU nationals, or foreign participation of 50% or less with a minimum shareholding value of €200,000
- Minimum capital of €200,000 deposited with a licensed Cypriot bank or evidenced through business-related expenditure
- Physical office premises in Cyprus required, separate from any private residence
Residence permits for key personnel:
Key Highlights:
- Very fast processing program compared to Golden Visa or Investment in Real Estate
- No overseas company mandatory
- Work Permit validity 2-3 years renewable
- No priory company history required
- No investment is required, as the funds are transferred to a company owned by the applicant.
- Eligibility to citizenship is possible in 3 or 4 years depending on language ability.
- One of the lowest corporate tax rates in the European Union
INGWE supports the full process, from company registration and BFU certification to residence permit applications for directors and key staff.
Why Cyprus With INGWE
Good fit for entrepreneur and operator profiles.
Allows comparison between business-led and investment-led pathways.
Sits naturally in the integrated INGWE framework.
Differentiates the Europe section from only Golden Visa conversations.
Interested in Cyprus?
Let's Talk.
All submissions are strictly confidential. A member of our team will be in touch within 48 hours.
Related Services
International Real Estate
Business Setup & Relocation Solutions
For Developers & Partners
Looking at Cyprus as a Business or Residency Base?
Speak with INGWE about investor and business-oriented pathways in Cyprus and how they compare with other European options.