Cyprus Golden Visa 2026: Cancelled [4 Alternatives]

Many people searching "cyprus golden visa" are looking for a way to get residency in Cyprus through investment. The short answer: that programme no longer exists.

Cyprus launched the Cyprus Investment Programme in 2013, offering EU citizenship - not just residency - in exchange for a EUR 2.5 million investment. It was suspended in November 2020 after an Al Jazeera investigation revealed passports being sold to people with criminal records. It has not been reinstated.

What the Cyprus Golden Visa Was

The Cyprus Investment Programme was one of the most aggressive citizenship-by-investment schemes in the EU. Unlike Malta or Portugal, which offered residency by investment, Cyprus offered full EU citizenship in exchange for investment. This was the key distinction - and ultimately the reason it became controversial.

Applicants needed to invest a minimum of EUR 2.5 million in Cyprus property, a business, or government bonds. In exchange they received Cyprus citizenship, which automatically confers EU citizenship. Naturalization was fast - sometimes completed within a few months. There was no language requirement and no extended residency period before the application. Cyprus was the cheapest and fastest route to an EU passport globally from 2013 to 2020, which created significant demand but also significant abuse.

Residency Options in Cyprus in 2026

Cyprus still has some of the most accessible residency routes in the EU for both EU and non-EU citizens - they simply no longer involve a EUR 2.5 million investment. Four main routes remain available in 2026. According to the Cyprus Civil Registry and Migration Department, each route has different eligibility criteria, cost profiles, and paths to permanent residence. The right one depends on your nationality, income source, and long-term plans.

Yellow Slip (MEU1) - EU Citizens

EU citizens do not need a visa or investment to live in Cyprus. The Yellow Slip (MEU1 certificate) is a registration certificate, not a visa. It confirms that an EU citizen is exercising their EU free movement rights in Cyprus. Required documents are straightforward: a valid EU passport, proof of address in Cyprus (rental contract or property deed), and proof of income, employment, or sufficient funds. There is no minimum income requirement set by law - the test is "sufficient resources" to not become a burden on the state, which in practice is met by most employed or self-employed EU citizens.

The Yellow Slip can be obtained quickly through the Civil Registry and Migration Department office nearest to your address. Processing typically takes 1-3 months. Once registered, EU citizens have full rights to live and work in Cyprus. After 5 years of continuous legal residence they can apply for permanent residence. The Yellow Slip is fully compatible with Non-Dom tax status - and is the most common residency route used by EU expats who relocate to Cyprus for tax planning purposes.

Category F - Non-EU Financially Independent

Category F is the closest thing to a "golden visa" currently available in Cyprus for non-EU nationals. It is designed for financially independent individuals who want to live in Cyprus without working for a Cyprus employer. The key requirement is proof of EUR 30,000 per year in secured income from abroad - pension, rental income, dividends, or similar passive sources. There is no minimum property investment requirement, unlike the old Investment Programme. A Cyprus bank deposit of approximately EUR 30,000 is also required to demonstrate financial stability.

Category F permits are initially granted for one year and renewed annually. After 5 years of continuous legal residence on Category F, applicants can apply for a 5-year permit and subsequently for permanent residence. Income from outside Cyprus must be demonstrated via bank statements, tax returns, and documentation of the income source. Category F is not a work permit - holders cannot be employed by or provide services to Cyprus companies. However, they can operate a foreign company from Cyprus, which makes it useful for business owners who structure their Cyprus affairs through a non-Cyprus entity.

Digital Nomad Visa

The Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa was introduced in 2022 for non-EU remote workers employed or self-employed outside Cyprus. The maximum stay is 1 year, renewable once for a second year (3 years total as of the 2025 relaunch). After the maximum period, the holder must either leave Cyprus or transition to a different permit category such as Category F or a work permit.

Income requirement: EUR 3,500 per month net, proven via bank statements and employment or freelance contracts. The Digital Nomad Visa does NOT grant the right to work for a Cyprus company or client - income must come entirely from outside Cyprus. It is a good entry route for testing Cyprus as a base before committing to a longer-term structure. For a detailed breakdown of the application process, see the Digital Nomad Visa guide.

Tax Implications - Non-Dom Status

Residency is the first step; tax status is the second. Cyprus has two key tax regimes for expats: Non-Dom (non-domiciled) status, and the standard resident regime. Most expats should target Non-Dom. The combination of Cyprus residency and Non-Dom status produces an effective tax rate of approximately 5% on dividend income - a key reason Cyprus attracts international business owners and investors.

According to PwC Tax Facts 2026, Non-Dom residents of Cyprus who receive foreign-source dividend income pay 0% income tax on those dividends. The only applicable charge is GHS (General Health System) at 2.65%, subject to an annual cap based on EUR 180,000 of dividend income. This positions Cyprus as one of the most efficient dividend tax environments in the EU for non-domiciled individuals.

Non-Dom status requires not being domiciled in Cyprus under local rules - this is separate from residency. Most expats who have not lived in Cyprus for most of their life qualify automatically. The Non-Dom election must be filed correctly in the first tax year of residence. Missing the first year can create gaps in the exemption. For the full eligibility conditions and filing process, see the personal income tax guide.

Path to Permanent Residence

All routes except the Digital Nomad Visa can lead to permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence. For EU citizens on the Yellow Slip, the application for permanent residence is straightforward after 5 years - proof of continuous residence and sufficient resources. For non-EU nationals on Category F or a work permit, 5 years of continuous residence on a valid permit qualifies them to apply.

Citizenship follows a longer timeline. EU nationals can apply for Cyprus citizenship after 7 years of legal residence. Non-EU nationals have a more complex path, typically requiring naturalization after 7-10 years depending on circumstances. Unlike the old Investment Programme, neither permanent residence nor citizenship can be accelerated through investment under the current rules. The timeline is residency-based.

Planning Your Cyprus Residency - Free Session

The right residency route depends on your nationality, income source, family situation, and long-term plans. A Yellow Slip applicant from Germany has a very different process from a non-EU business owner targeting Category F. Getting the structure right from the start - including the Non-Dom election timing - can save significant tax in the first year of residence.

We offer a free introduction to the firm that handled our own relocation from Spain to Cyprus. In the free planning session they will advise on the correct residency route for your situation, Non-Dom eligibility and the filing sequence, and the practical steps to get from your current country to Cyprus residency. For details on what to expect from a tax advisor in Cyprus, see how to find a tax advisor in Cyprus.

Ready to start your Cyprus residency? Speak with a specialist to review the right route for your situation and get the Non-Dom filing sequence right from day one.