Permanent status in Cyprus can be obtained three different ways. Category F — for people living on income from abroad. Regulation 6(2) — fast permanent residence for a €300,000 investment. Long-term resident — EU status after 5 years of legal residence.
General rules for the Immigration Permit
- Applications are filed only in Nicosia, in person or through a representative. Applications with missing documents are not accepted.
- A fee of €500 for the whole family plus €70 per ARC for anyone who doesn't have one. Form MIP2.
- Adding a family member to an already approved permit costs €50 per person plus €70 for the ARC. Dependants are the spouse and children under 18.
- The right of residence has no expiry; the card lasts 10 years (for children, until 18).
- The status is lost if you don't move to Cyprus within a year of approval, if you obtain permanent residence abroad, or if you are absent from the island for 2 years.
Categories A–E: who qualifies
| Category | For whom | Capital |
|---|---|---|
| A | Self-employment in agriculture, animal husbandry, poultry or fish farming — land or permission to acquire it is required | ≈€430 000 |
| B | Self-employment in mining — the relevant licence is required | ≈€350 000 |
| C | Self-employment in a trade or craft — the relevant licence is required | ≈€260 000 |
| D | Self-employment in a profession or science — qualifications and a market need for such specialists are required | sufficient funds or income |
| E | A permanent job in Cyprus has been offered that creates no undue local competition | not specified |
The Immigration Control Committee may accept a smaller amount. The decision is taken by the Deputy Minister of Migration on the committee's recommendation.
Category F — living on private income
- Steady income from abroad of at least €9,568 a year for the applicant and at least €4,613 for each dependant: pensions, dividends, interest, rent.
- Working and running a business in Cyprus are prohibited.
- There is no official requirement to buy property, but in practice a deposit of €15,000–20,000 in a Cypriot bank and owned or rented housing are expected.
Regulation 6(2) — permanent residence through investment
An investment of at least €300,000 in one of four categories: a new home from a developer (first sale, up to two properties), other property including resale, share capital of a Cypriot company with an office and at least 5 employees, or units in Cypriot investment funds. The money is transferred from abroad from the applicant's or spouse's account.
- Income: at least €50,000 a year plus €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 for each minor child.
- For an investment in a new home the income must come from abroad only; for the other categories Cypriot sources are allowed.
- Criminal record certificates for the applicant and spouse, then every 3 years. Medical insurance covering inpatient and outpatient care.
- The indicative processing time is around 2 months; in practice 2–6.
- Every year you confirm that the investment and the insurance are still in place. Selling the investment without immediately replacing it cancels the status.
- You must visit Cyprus at least once every 2 years.
Long-term resident — EU status
- 5 years of continuous legal residence on a valid permit. Absences of under 6 consecutive months, and up to 10 months in total over the 5 years, don't break continuity.
- Not counted: years on student status, asylum seekers, seasonal and posted workers, diplomats.
- Form MLT3, a fee of €30, processing of 6–12 months, only in Nicosia, with biometrics.
- The first permit runs for 5 years; renewal is filed 3 months before expiry.
- The spouse of a long-term resident gets free access to the labour market, including self-employment.
- Greek is not required for this status.