Spouse and children
Eligible spouses and minor children may apply for family reunification. Marriage duration, age, custody, resources and documentary requirements must be checked individually.
Cyprus FIC Company Formation & Work Residence
Establish your own company and apply for work residence through genuine operations and qualifying employment.
For founders who intend to operate and work in Cyprus. Approval grants a renewable temporary residence and employment permit.
Discuss eligibility
Core destinations
01 / COMPANY & CAPITAL
Company formation and FIC registration
This route is based on majority third-country ownership, an actual capital contribution and independent offices.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ownership | This route uses the category in which third-country shareholders collectively own more than 50%. |
| Initial investment | At least €200,000 for the company’s operations in Cyprus. |
| Proof of funds | This route uses an actual contribution to the company’s account at a qualifying licensed credit institution. EMI and payment-institution accounts do not qualify. |
| Timing | The investment must be made within six months before filing and still exist when the application is submitted. |
| Premises | Independent offices, separate from private residences and other offices. |
The €200,000 is business investment, not a government fee or a total cost quotation. Nominal registered capital alone is insufficient. The official rules also allow qualifying office premises or equipment for the company’s own use, supported by documents in its name.
02 / EMPLOYMENT & FEES
Employment requirements and fees
Company registration is followed by a separate assessment of the role, salary and employment terms.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Gross monthly salary | At least €2,500, genuinely paid by the company. |
| Qualifications or experience | Relevant academic qualifications or at least two years of relevant experience. |
| Employment contract | At least two years, even when applying for a one-year permit. |
| Permit duration | Based on the contract, up to three years; renewable subject to continued eligibility. |
Government work-residence fees
| Application | Official fee | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Entry and residence permit | €70 | Permit valid for 1–3 years |
| Residence permit issue or renewal | €80 | According to application type |
| Alien registration (ARC) | €70 | First registration only |
These are separately listed official charges, not figures to add into a standard package. Family fees, applicable stamp duties and professional services are additional. Budget separately for salaries, social insurance, premises, accounting and insurance.
Companies must reach a 30% Cypriot/EU staff share over five years. The official policy provides for checking new-hire ratios after 2 January 2027, with non-compliant cases assessed on their merits.
03 / FAMILY & RESIDENCE
Family and ongoing residence
Family members apply separately. Both the business and individual permits require ongoing compliance.
Spouse’s employment
Eligible spouses and civil partners may enter paid employment, subject to single-permit conditions. This does not confer a general right to self-employment.
Business and renewals
Maintain genuine activity, employment, payroll and company records. Online renewal may be submitted between 90 and 30 days before the current permit expires.
Check the effect of extended absence, leaving employment, changing employer or a child reaching adulthood. For re-entry with a valid permit, official guidance requires that the previous continuous absence has not exceeded three months. Employer changes have separate conditions.
04 / NATURALISATION
Naturalisation for highly skilled employees
Qualifying highly skilled employees may use the residence thresholds in Article 111B(2), depending on Greek-language proficiency.
| Condition | Greek B1 | Greek A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Earlier cumulative residence | At least 3 years | At least 4 years |
| Continuous residence before filing | 12 months | 12 months |
| Usual combined residence threshold | 4 years | 5 years |
Earlier residence must fall within the ten years preceding the final twelve months. These are eligibility thresholds, not guaranteed citizenship timelines. Formation, ownership or investment alone does not satisfy them.
Employment and other conditions
At least two years of employment with a qualifying company is required before filing, with qualifying highly skilled employment at submission and examination. Language evidence, a score of at least 60% in the political and social knowledge examination, good character, suitable housing, stable resources and an intention to remain are also required.
How absences are counted
Total absences of up to 90 days do not interrupt the final twelve months. During the earlier cumulative period, annual absences totalling no more than 90 days are not treated as absences under the special rules. Keep complete travel records.
Family and accelerated examination
Spouses, civil partners and dependent adult children with disabilities within the specified scope must meet their own residence and language conditions. Eligible applicants may pay an additional €5,000 for accelerated examination, officially limited to eight months. Full eligibility assessment still applies.
05 / APPLICATION & SUPPORT
Application and support
Company eligibility and individual work residence are assessed at separate stages.
01 · Formation and capital
Assess ownership, the business plan and the founder’s qualifications; coordinate incorporation, banking documents, investment evidence and independent offices.
02 · FIC and individual applications
File company registration through its verified CY Login profile. Following confirmation, submit qualifying employment and work-residence documents, with family applications handled separately.
03 · Operations and renewals
Coordinate payroll, accounting, tax and permit renewals, and assess future naturalisation eligibility against actual residence records.
The official standards for complete applications are no more than ten working days for FIC registration and around one month for individual work residence. They are separate processes. Incorporation, banking, entry, missing documents and family applications involve additional stages; no end-to-end completion date is guaranteed.
Is a €300,000 property purchase required?
This route is based on company investment and genuine employment, rather than a €300,000 residential purchase. Office and personal accommodation requirements still apply.
Does incorporation automatically grant residence?
No. Company registration and individual permission are assessed separately. The actual role, pay, qualifications, contract and supporting evidence must qualify.
Conatus Mobility coordinates company formation, applications and local professional services within a written scope. Legal, tax and regulated work is undertaken by appropriately qualified professionals.
Official sources
Policy reviewed 18 October 2026. Eligibility and final decisions rest with the relevant authorities. Approval and processing times are not guaranteed.