Destinations
Cyprus
Cyprus grants lifelong EU permanent residence in about two months for 300,000 EUR in property plus proof of foreign income — with a very light presence rule and a favourable non-dom tax regime. The thing to be clear about: this is residence, not a passport; Cyprus closed its citizenship-by-investment programme in 2020, and the island is not in the Schengen area, so the status carries no Schengen free movement.
Key facts
- From
- €300 000≈ $432 540 — estimated total, family of four, fees included
- Processing time
- 2–4 months
- Physical presence
- The holder must visit Cyprus at least once every two years to keep the permit — a very light presence rule. Full naturalisation is a separate, much longer path and requires genuine residence.
Tax at a glance
- Non-dom residents pay no tax on dividends and interest for 17 years
- No inheritance tax; no capital gains tax except on Cyprus real estate
- Corporate tax is 12.5%; personal income tax is progressive to 35%
- Permanent residence, not citizenship — the CBI programme closed in 2020
- Cyprus is not in the Schengen area
Frequently asked questions
Does this give a Cyprus passport?
No. It grants permanent residence. Cyprus closed its citizenship-by-investment programme in 2020, so this is a residence route, not a passport.
Does Cyprus permanent residence allow Schengen travel?
No. Cyprus is an EU member but not in the Schengen area, so the permit does not grant Schengen free movement — a key difference from some other EU golden visas.
What must I invest and maintain?
At least 300,000 EUR plus VAT in an eligible asset, usually new residential property, held for the life of the permit, plus proof of at least 50,000 EUR a year in secure foreign income. Holding the permit does not by itself make you tax-resident, and it does not remove obligations to a country that taxes on citizenship, such as the United States.