The population of Cyprus is under 5 million and it is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world with an excellent education system as well as first-rate health care. Tourism, shipping, and legal and financial services sectors are soaring high and helping boost Cyprus’ economy. Lately, Cyprus has also witnessed a surge in foreign investments and developments, and property and investment values. Recognizing the plenty of investment opportunities, a lot of investors eye Cyprus for business and investment purposes.

The Cyprus program offers a number of benefits such as:-

• Swift procedure - A citizenship application may get approved as soon as just six months.
• Residency as well as citizenship applications can be submitted simultaneously.
• The applications can be submitted by civil unions.
• Renouncing of one’s current citizenship is not obligatory.
• There are no specific language requirements.
• The candidate gets unrestricted right to live, study as well as work in Europe.
• Owning either a house valued at € 500,000/- + VAT or a share worth € 500,000/- in a residential property of the main applicant makes his or her parents eligible for Cyprus’ citizenship.
• The candidate gets the right to own property in a member state of the European Union.
• Low tax rates.
• Free trade within the European Union.

The fastest program leading to residence and citizenship in Europe is the Naturalization of Investors by Exception Programme and it is offered in accordance with the Civil Registry Laws 2002-2013. In order to be eligible for citizenship, an applicant ought to fulfil one of the investment options mentioned below and hold it for three years and also meet the following criteria:-

1. A valid passport.
2. Having no past criminal record.
3. Before being granted the citizenship of Cyprus, the applicant must mandatorily possess a residency permit in the Republic of Cyprus for a period of six months.
4. Owning a permanent private residence in Cyprus with a purchase price of at least € 500,000/- plus the applicable VAT.
5. The applicant must invest in or own a property in Cyprus whose value ought to be at least € 300,000/-. The property must be new and such property must be bought only from developers. Also, there is no compulsion to buy a single property i.e. one may choose to but multiple properties (two or more than two). In addition to this, the annual income of the applicant must be at least 30,000/- Euros.
6. If an applicant chooses to invest only in residential properties, with one of the residential properties priced at minimum € 500,000/-, in such a case, the total investment amount by the candidate must be € 2 million.

1. Investing in real estate, land development or an infrastructure project

A minimum investment of € 2 million may be made by an applicant in the purchase or construction of buildings, residential or commercial land development projects or infrastructure projects.

2. The applicant must invest in or own a property in Cyprus whose value ought to be at least € 300,000/-. The property must be new and such property must be bought only from developers. Also, there is no compulsion to buy a single property i.e. one may choose to but multiple properties (two or more than two). In addition to this, the annual income of the applicant must be at least 30,000/- Euros.

3. Creation, purchase or participation in Cypriot Businesses or Companies

An applicant may invest a minimum of € 2 million in either purchasing or creating or participating in businesses or companies based in and operating in the Republic of Cyprus. Moreover, it is mandatory for such businesses or companies to have a tangible presence in Cyprus along with employing a minimum of five Cypriot or European citizens.

4. Investing in Financial Assets of companies or organizations of Cyprus

A minimum investment of € 2 million may be madein the financial assets of Cypriot companies or organizations by an applicant. Such an investment in financial assets may include bonds, securities and debentures registered and issued in the Republic of Cyprus. Such purchased assets must be maintained by the investor for a period of at least three years.

5. Combination investment

A combination of the aforementioned options may also be chosen by an applicant for investment, the only condition being that the combination of investments must total at least € 2 million.