Fast Track Cyprus Citizenship for Highly Skilled Professionals

In a significant legal advancement, the Cypriot House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the Civil Registry Law, marking a substantial change in the nation’s naturalisation approach. This amendment lays the groundwork for a contemporary legislative structure, with the goal of enhancing Cyprus’s competitiveness in attracting and retaining highly skilled professionals for residency and employment purposes. The revised legislation notably expedites the process for individuals employed by Companies of Foreign Interests, potentially reducing the timeframe to 3-4 years.

As per the Council of Ministers Decision dated October 15th, 2021, Companies of Foreign Interests are those officially registered with the Businesses Facilitation Unit (BFU) under the purview of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry. The BFU assesses eligibility and provides written confirmation for inclusion in the Register of Foreign Interest Companies. Following registration, the process is transferred to the Migration Department to facilitate the acquisition of residence and employment permits.

Highly skilled professionals employed by companies designated by the Council of Ministers to expand their operations in the Republic are eligible to apply for Cypriot citizenship under the following conditions:

• They must have maintained legal and continuous residency in the Republic for a period of twelve (12) months preceding the submission of the application. This twelve-month period must be uninterrupted, allowing for absences from the Republic of up to ninety (90) days.
• They must have legally resided in the Republic for a cumulative period of four (4) years during the ten (10) years preceding the twelve (12) months mentioned above. This four-year requirement applies to applicants who possess a Greek language proficiency equivalent to level A2.
• The four (4) year period can be shortened to three (3) years for applicants who demonstrate a Greek language proficiency equivalent to level B1.
• They must exhibit knowledge of the Republic’s political and social landscape, evaluated by a three-member committee. Proof of this knowledge is required alongside the application.
• To be of a Good Character
• Genuine residency in the Republic with the intention to continue residing in Cyprus.
• Provision of evidence demonstrating sufficient and stable income to support both themself and any dependents.
• Clean criminal record, absence of pending legal proceedings, lawful entry into the Republic and no sanctions imposed by the European Union or the United Nations Security Council.

Family members of highly skilled workers have the opportunity to apply for naturalisation alongside the primary applicant, adhering to identical criteria. This applies if they have maintained legal and continuous residence in Cyprus during the 12 months preceding the application submission. Furthermore, minor children who turn 18 during the application procedure retain the ability to apply as minors and secure citizenship accordingly.

The implementation of the Fast-Track examination procedure, which guarantees processing within eight (8) months, demonstrates the government’s dedication to streamlining and enhancing accessibility to citizenship.

Obtaining Cypriot citizenship is a privilege, and the Cypriot government extends this opportunity to individuals who fulfil all requirements, possess an exemplary record, demonstrate proficiency in the language, and maintain genuine connections to the island. Additionally, the government has implemented criteria for the naturalisation of highly skilled employees employed by foreign interest companies, aiming to attract talent to the island, draw qualified specialists in specific fields, and incentivise these professionals to stay, thus positively impacting Cyprus’s economy.

The content of the above information is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.