The law in force since December 2023 sets out two routes. The general one is 12 months of continuous residence plus 7 years out of the previous 10, Greek at B1 and an exam on life in Cyprus. The fast track for highly skilled applicants is 3 years at B1 or 4 years at A2.
The general route
- 12 months of continuous legal residence immediately before filing (absences of up to 90 days in total don't break it).
- In the preceding 10 years, a total of at least 7 years of legal residence. That adds up to "8 years".
- Good character, having somewhere to live and stable means, and the intention to live in Cyprus.
- Greek at B1 and an exam on Cyprus’s political system and society, with a pass mark of 60%.
The fast track for highly skilled applicants
- The same 12 months plus, in the preceding 10 years, 4 years at level A2 or 3 years at B1.
- The employer must be on an approved list: foreign-interest companies with a separate office, shipping, hi-tech and innovation companies, pharma and biotech, and accredited universities.
- Who counts as highly skilled: holders of Director, Specialist or Key personnel permits, or anyone on a salary of at least €2,500 gross plus a degree or 2 years' experience.
- You must have worked at such a company for at least 2 years before filing and be employed on the filing date and on the decision date.
- Fast-track processing within 8 months costs €5,000 — separately for the applicant and for each family member.
Fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing the application (form M127) | €500 |
| Duty stamps | 2 × €8,54 |
| Naturalisation certificate on approval | €500 |
| Fast-track processing (highly skilled) | €5,000 per person |
| Civics exam | €20 |
| Greek language exam | around €90–100 |
The exams
- Greek: the Ελληνομάθεια certificate through the Centre for the Greek Language, or the School of Modern Greek at the University of Cyprus. Registration usually runs from 1 February to 20 March, with written exams in May. You are exempt if you hold a school leaving certificate or a university degree taught in Greek.
- The civics exam: 25 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, pass mark 60% (15 correct), in Greek. It is held twice a year — usually in February and July, with registration through JCCsmart.
The application goes to the District Administration Office, and you sign it in front of the registrar. Cyprus allows dual citizenship. In practice the general route takes from one to three years.