Cyprus Permanent Residency through property: a 2026 walkthrough

Cyprus operates one of the fastest residency-by-investment routes in the European Union. A single qualifying real-estate purchase of at least €300,000 (before VAT) gives a non-EU investor — together with their spouse, minor children, and qualifying dependent parents — the right to live in Cyprus indefinitely, with the same rental and travel rights as Cypriot residents.

Who qualifies

The main applicant must be a non-EU national, must show a clean criminal record from their country of residence, and must demonstrate stable foreign-sourced income — currently €30,000 per year for the main applicant, plus €5,000 per dependent and €8,000 per dependent parent. Income must come from outside Cyprus.

The four-step process

Step 1 — Reserve & sign. Select a qualifying off-plan or new-build property worth €300,000+ (before VAT). Sign a reservation contract and pay the reservation fee.

Step 2 — Open a Cypriot bank account. Required to deposit the qualifying property purchase funds and a separate €30,000 capital deposit that must remain in the account for three years.

Step 3 — Submit the PR application. Lodge a complete application file (income statements, criminal records, certified copies, biometrics) with the Civil Registry & Migration Department. Processing is typically 2–3 months for complete files.

Step 4 — Receive the PR card. Pick up the residency card in person at the Migration Department. Each family member must visit Cyprus at least once every two years to retain the status.

What changed in 2026

The income documentation now requires two consecutive years of tax filings, up from one. The €30,000 capital-deposit hold period remains three years. Property must be new-build (no resale).

Always confirm the current figures and procedural requirements with a licensed Cypriot immigration advisor before signing any purchase contract — this article is informational, not legal advice.