Cyprus Startup Visa

1. Residence permit36 months
2. Renew24 months at a time
3. Permanent residencypossible
4. Citizenshipafter 8 years

• Permanent residency
• Citizenship 8 years
• Dual citizenship allowed
• Language required for citizenship B1

Country

Cyprus

Program

Cyprus Startup Visa

Type

Startup

Status

Active

Initial duration

36 months

Renewable

Yes (24 mo)

Residence and work permit for non-EU and non-EEA founders, and for teams of up to five founders and senior executives, who establish or relocate an innovative startup in Cyprus. The Deputy Ministry scheme, valid through December 2026 and capped at 150 visas, gives three years of economic activity, with a renewal of at least two further years if the startup is judged successful.

Tax regime

Worldwide

Foreign income taxed

Yes

Capital gains taxed

Yes

Method

online, consulate, in person

Processing time

35–56 days

Apply from abroad

Yes

Applications go by email to [email protected]. Initial approval from the Deputy Ministry is not itself a visa or a residence permit. The holder then applies to a consulate or to the Migration Department. The scheme requires at least 25 percent of the company to be owned by one or more of the applicants. The December 2024 practical guide does not set a euro capital minimum. Founders may be employed or self-employed in the company. Senior executives may be employed by it. Spouses receive residence and access to the labour market on the same terms as the sponsor. A successful re-evaluation, applied for two months before the permit expires, requires either revenue growth of at least 15 percent or investment of at least €150,000, plus jobs, an incubator or a new product, and digital-skills certificates. The Migration Department fee to issue or renew a temporary residence permit is €130, about $146 at €1 = $1.12 on 9 October 2026. An entry permit together with a temporary residence permit is €120, and first registration in the Aliens' Register is €70. The scheme is not a tax regime. A founder who becomes tax resident is taxed on worldwide income, with the ordinary non-domicile Special Defence Contribution exemption if it applies. Naturalisation is the ordinary residence route, not a grant of this scheme. Endorsement: Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

• Digital Nomad Visadigital nomad visa

1. Oct 10, 2026

   Added

   created from the December 2024 Deputy Ministry practical guide and the Migration Department fee list. Three-year initial term, 25 percent shareholding, fee €130 (gov.cy) (gov.cy).