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Artur Mardanyan Founder of ResidentPravo
CYPRUS CITIZENSHIP • 2026

Cyprus Citizenship in 2026

We handle Cyprus citizenship applications by naturalisation, marriage and descent — from documents to your EU passport.

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  • Naturalisation (7 years)
  • Citizenship by marriage
  • Citizenship by descent
  • Dual citizenship allowed
4 routes to citizenship

What are the routes to Cyprus citizenship

Direct purchase of citizenship has not existed since 2020. Below are all the legal grounds and who they actually fit.

Naturalisation by Years of Residence

For those lawfully living in Cyprus under a residence permit or permanent residency. Standard track: 7 of the last 10 years. Accelerated track: 4–5 years for highly skilled employees of FIC, high-tech and pharmaceutical companies.

  • Processing: 2–3 years (standard) / up to 8 months for a €5,000 fee (accelerated)
  • Requirements: 7 years of residence, Greek B1, civics exam

Citizenship by Marriage

For spouses of Cypriot citizens. A marriage recognised for at least 3 years plus residence in Cyprus — no need to separately accrue 7 years of residency. The authorities carefully check that the marriage is genuine: they may request joint photos, correspondence and an interview with the spouses.

  • Processing: ~1–2 years
  • Requirements: marriage ≥3 years, checks against marriages of convenience

Citizenship by Descent

For children of Cypriot citizens born abroad. Rules depend on the date of birth relative to 16 August 1960 and the parent's citizenship. Filed via forms M121/M123 and, as a rule, without an assessment of residence conditions — so it is processed faster than the other routes.

  • Processing: from a few months
  • Requirements: one parent was a Cypriot citizen at birth

Citizenship by Investment

Direct citizenship by investment was discontinued permanently in November 2020. The only legal alternative for investors is permanent residency from €300,000 (e.g. through real estate), followed by naturalisation under the standard rules after 7 years of residence.

  • Status: programme discontinued
  • Alternative: Permanent residency → naturalisation
Comparing routes

Which route fits your situation

Compare timelines, requirements and government fees for each route to Cyprus citizenship.

Route Who it fits Processing time Government fee
Naturalisation (standard) Lawfully resident in Cyprus 7 of the last 10 years 2–3 years ≈€1,017
Naturalisation (accelerated) Highly skilled FIC / high-tech / pharma employees, Greek A2/B1 up to 8 months after 4–5 years residence (for a fee) ≈€1,017 + €5,000 for accelerated examination
Marriage to a Cypriot citizen Marriage recognised ≥3 years + residence in Cyprus ~1–2 years ~€300
Descent Parent was a Cypriot citizen at birth from a few months €20–50
Citizenship by investment Discontinued since 2020 — —

Not sure which route fits your situation?

Every case is different. We'll assess your residence history in Cyprus for free and tell you exactly where you stand and what's missing before you file.

Get a Consultation
Main route

Naturalisation by Years of Residence (Form M127)

The most common route to Cyprus citizenship — for those lawfully living on the island under a Pink Slip, a company-based residence permit, or permanent residency through investment.

It requires at least 7 years of lawful residence within the preceding 10 years before applying, including continuous residence during the last 12 months. Absences totalling up to 90 days do not break this period.

Requirements under Cyprus law may change — current conditions should be verified at the time of application. Official form and requirements: gov.cy — Form M127.

Residence period
7 of 10 years
Processing
2–3 years
Government fee
≈€1,017
Language
Greek B1
  • Time on a Pink Slip, company-based permit, and permanent residency counts toward the total
  • Greek language exam at B1 level
  • Exam on the basic elements of Cyprus's political and social life (60% pass mark)
  • Clean criminal record certificates from Cyprus and every country of residence over 10 years
  • Accelerated 4–5 year track for FIC and high-tech employees
  • Dual citizenship is allowed

Who it fits

  • Residence permit holders
  • Category F investors
  • FIC company employees
  • Families living in Cyprus
Check How Many Years You Have

How we support naturalisation

01

Review your residence history

We check your residence permit / permanent residency records and count the years already accrued

02

Exam preparation

We help you book the Greek B1 language exam and the Cyprus civics exam

03

Documents and filing Form M127

Criminal record certificates, apostilles, translations — then submission to the district office

04

Support through to the decision

We track the application status throughout the 2–3 year processing period

For spouses of Cypriot citizens

Citizenship by Marriage
(Form M125)

If you are married to a Cypriot citizen, the route to citizenship is shorter than standard naturalisation.

The marriage must be recognised for at least 3 years, and the applicant must reside in Cyprus. Immigration authorities carefully check that the marriage is not one of convenience.

Official form and requirements: gov.cy — Form M125.

Marriage
3+ years
Processing
~1–2 years
Government fee
~€300
Check
against marriages of convenience
  • No need to separately accrue 7 years of residency
  • Interview with both spouses at the immigration department
  • Requests for joint photos, correspondence, and witness statements are possible
  • Dual citizenship is allowed
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Accelerated track for FIC employees

Naturalisation in 4–5 years instead of 7

✓ For employees of Foreign Interest Companies and the high-tech sector

Highly skilled employees of FIC companies may qualify for accelerated naturalisation, subject to the requirements of Cyprus law.

A2

After 5 years of lawful residence

  • Confirmed Greek language proficiency at A2 level
  • Pass in the Cyprus civics exam
B1

After 4 years of lawful residence

  • Confirmed Greek language proficiency at B1 level
  • Pass in the Cyprus civics exam

You can additionally pay €5,000 for accelerated examination of the application — a decision within 8 months instead of the usual 2–3 years.

Citizenship is not guaranteed. Requirements may change — current conditions should be verified at the time of application.

For children of Cypriot citizens

Citizenship by Descent (M121/M123)

If one of your parents was a Cypriot citizen at the time of your birth, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent — regardless of where you were born.

The rules depend on the date of birth relative to 16 August 1960. Gender equality in citizenship transmission has applied since 1999 — for those born through the mother's line between 1960 and 1999, a separate remedial procedure exists under a 2002 law.

Official source: gov.cy — Cypriot citizenship due to Cypriot origin, form M121.

Basis
parent was a Cypriot citizen
Processing
from a few months
Government fee
€20–50
Residence in Cyprus
not required
  • Does not require proof of residence in Cyprus
  • Registration rather than full naturalisation
  • Both the father's and the mother's citizenship count (gender equality since 1999)
  • Can extend to the applicant's minor children

Who it fits

  • Children of Cypriot citizens
  • Grandchildren under certain conditions
  • Families with Cypriot roots
  • Those born abroad
Check Your Eligibility by Descent

What you need to file

01

Apostilled birth certificate

Your own birth certificate, translated and apostilled

02

Proof of the parent's citizenship

The parent's Cypriot passport or registration certificate at the time of your birth

03

Filing Form M121/M123

We determine the correct form based on your date of birth and submit the documents

04

Citizenship registration

Once approved, we arrange your Cypriot passport and ID card

Documents

Documents for Cyprus citizenship applications

The base package depends on the chosen route. Below are the additional documents for each programme. We help with apostilles, notarised translations and filing.

Naturalisation by Years of Residence

For those lawfully resident in Cyprus for 7 of the last 10 years under a residence permit or permanent residency.

  • Valid passport
  • Residence permit / permanent residency history without gaps in legality
  • Clean criminal record certificates from Cyprus and every country of residence over 10 years (apostilled)
  • Greek language certificate at B1 level
  • Cyprus civics exam certificate (60% or above)
  • Proof of financial self-sufficiency

Citizenship by Marriage

For spouses of Cypriot citizens with a marriage recognised for 3+ years.

  • Marriage certificate (apostille + translation)
  • Passport of the Cypriot-citizen spouse
  • Proof of joint residence in Cyprus
  • Apostilled criminal record certificate
  • Additional evidence of a genuine marriage if requested

Citizenship by Descent

For children of Cypriot citizens born abroad.

  • Applicant's birth certificate (apostille + translation)
  • Parent's Cypriot passport or citizenship registration certificate
  • Parents' marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Form M121 or M123, depending on date of birth

For the Applicant's Whole Family

In addition to the main applicant's package, under any of the routes.

  • Birth certificates for minor children
  • Criminal record certificates for adult family members
  • Apostilled translations of all foreign documents
  • Medical insurance for the processing period

Not sure which documents you'll need?

We'll assess your situation for free and prepare a personalised document checklist based on your chosen route and family composition.

Which Documents Do I Need?
Application process

How the Cyprus citizenship process works

A transparent process with clear stages, whichever route you're on.

01

Situation review

We review your residence or marriage history, determine the right route, and estimate your chances of approval.

1–3 days
02

Exams and documents

We help you book the language exam and the Cyprus civics exam, and prepare certificates and apostilles.

1–3 months
03

Filing the application

We submit Form M127, M125 or M121/M123 together with the complete document package.

1–3 days
04

Decision and passport

We track the application status and support you through to receiving your passport once approved.

1–3 years
Free initial consultation Document review before filing Support through to your passport
What you get

What Cyprus citizenship gives you

An EU passport unlocks rights and options that neither a residence permit nor permanent residency provide.

An EU Passport

Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 170+ countries, including the Schengen Area.

Live and Work Anywhere in the EU

The right to live, work, study and run a business in any EU country without a residence permit.

Dual Citizenship Allowed

There is no need to renounce your current passport under any route to Cyprus citizenship.

Passed On to Children

Citizenship is inherited by future generations without restriction.

Access to EU Banking

Easier access to European banks, insurance, and the education system for your children.

Does Not Replace Tax Residency

Citizenship and tax residency are separate matters. The 183-day or 60-day rule and the non-dom regime are arranged separately.

Why ResidentPravo

Why clients trust us with their citizenship application

We specialise in Cyprus immigration law and take clients from their first residence permit all the way to a passport.

01

Honest About Investment Citizenship

We tell clients upfront that citizenship by investment has been discontinued since 2020 — we don't sell non-existent "fast-track" schemes.

02

From Residence Permit to Passport — One Process

If you already arranged your residence permit or permanent residency with us, we know your legal residence history and can take you straight through to citizenship without losing time.

03

We Assess Your Chances Upfront

We check your residence history for gaps, criminal records, and other refusal risks before filing, not after.

04

Fast Communication

We reply directly on WhatsApp and Telegram. You always know your application status and the next step.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Cyprus citizenship

Under the standard naturalisation route (Form M127) you need at least 7 cumulative years of lawful residence in Cyprus within the preceding 10 years before applying, including continuous residence during the 12 months immediately before submission. Absences totalling up to 90 days do not break this period. Highly skilled employees of Foreign Interest Companies (FIC) and high-tech firms qualify for an accelerated track: 5 years of residence with Greek at A2 level, or 4 years with Greek at B1 level. Time spent on a Pink Slip, a company-based residence permit, or permanent residency through investment counts toward this period, provided the status remained lawful and uninterrupted.
No. The Cyprus Investment Programme was discontinued in November 2020 and will not be reinstated — the European Court ruled that such schemes violate EU law. The only legal route for investors is to obtain permanent residency through investment from €300,000 (Category F), and then, once the legal requirements are met and at least 7 years of lawful residence in Cyprus have accrued, apply for naturalisation on the standard basis. We tell clients upfront that any offer of "fast" or "guaranteed" Cyprus citizenship for money is not a legal option — no such scheme exists.
No. The Republic of Cyprus permits dual and multiple citizenship — you do not need to renounce your existing passport under any route: naturalisation, marriage or descent. That said, it is worth checking the law of your current country of citizenship in advance, since some states restrict or require notification when a second citizenship is acquired. We recommend clarifying this point individually before filing.
As of January 2026, the official processing time for a standard naturalisation application (M127) is 2–3 years — noticeably longer than the 1–2 years still quoted by many sources online. For highly skilled employees of FIC, high-tech and pharmaceutical companies (4–5 years of residence), the law allows accelerated processing within 8 months — but this is a paid option on top of the standard fee: €5,000 for an accelerated examination of the application. Applications by marriage (M125) are usually processed faster, in around 1–2 years. Applications by descent (M121/M123) are processed much faster, often within a few months, since they do not require an assessment of residence conditions. The exact timeline depends on the Civil Registry and Migration Department's workload and how complete the submitted file is.
Standard naturalisation requires a B1-level certificate on the CEFR scale, plus a pass (60% or above) in the examination on the basic elements of Cyprus's contemporary political and social reality. The accelerated track for FIC and high-tech employees accepts A2-level Greek with 5 years of residence, or B1-level with 4 years. Citizenship by marriage and by descent generally do not require a separate Greek language exam, but exact conditions should be verified for your specific situation, as the rules are periodically updated.
That's not a problem. What matters for a naturalisation application is the fact of lawful residence in Cyprus, not who arranged your residence permit or permanent residency. We take on clients at any stage — we assess your residence history, confirm the entire period is documented without gaps, and help you gather any missing certificates, book the language exam and the Cyprus civics exam, then file the application and support you through to the decision.
Generally, yes. Citizenship by marriage (Form M125) requires a marriage to a Cypriot citizen recognised for at least 3 years and residence in Cyprus, rather than the 7 years of lawful residence required for standard naturalisation. Processing is also usually shorter — around 1–2 years versus 2–3 years for M127. That said, immigration authorities carefully check that the marriage is not one of convenience: they may request joint photos, correspondence, witness statements, and conduct a separate interview with both spouses.
If one parent was a Cypriot citizen at the time of the child's birth, the child may be eligible for citizenship by descent (Forms M121/M123), regardless of where they were born. The rules depend on the child's date of birth relative to 16 August 1960 and on whose citizenship is recognised — gender equality in citizenship transmission (through mother and father) has applied since 1999 — for those born through the mother's line between 1960 and 1999, a separate remedial procedure exists under a 2002 law. The registration procedure differs from naturalisation: residence in Cyprus does not need to be proven, but an apostilled birth certificate and documents confirming the parent's citizenship at the time of birth are required.
Government fees vary by route. Naturalisation by years of residence (M127): €500 on submission plus €500 on approval, plus two €8.54 revenue stamps — around €1,017 in total. Highly skilled employees who want a decision within 8 months can pay an additional €5,000 for accelerated examination of the application. Citizenship by marriage (M125): around €300. Citizenship by descent (M121/M123): €20–50 plus stamps. The final cost is also affected by apostilles, certified translations, the language exam and civics exam fees, and support services — priced individually depending on case complexity. Contact us for a free consultation and an accurate estimate.
Yes, a refusal does not bar a further application once the reasons for refusal have been addressed — for example, making up missing years of lawful residence, retaking the language exam, or providing missing documents. Typical reasons for refusal include gaps in lawful residence, criminal records, a negative security check, insufficient Greek language level, or suspicion that a marriage is one of convenience. We assess your situation for refusal risk in advance and help fix weak points in the document package before filing, rather than after a refusal.
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