Two routes, very different speed
The Regulation 6(2) fast track is practically the only option for anyone who needs status on a reasonable timeline. Category F is formally cheaper, but a queue has been building since 2020 — the real wait is now 5–7 years.
What the full cost consists of
The property is almost the entire budget. The fee itself is small, but income and its documentation are checked strictly — since 2026 the department has been asking for more source-of-funds paperwork.
How the process runs
A good fit if
A poor fit if
Who runs this programme
Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.
This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.
Frequent questions
Do you have to live in Cyprus?
Not to keep the status — formally, a visit once every 2 years is enough. But citizenship by naturalisation requires actually living there for 7 of the last 10 years plus a continuous final year — a periodic visit does not meet that bar.
Can you buy resale property?
No. The Regulation 6(2) fast track only accepts a new-build purchased directly from a developer.
What happened to citizenship by investment?
It was fully closed by a Council of Ministers decision effective 1 November 2020. Cyprus does not offer, and has no announced plan to revive, citizenship by investment — that was a separate, now-defunct programme.
How many years until citizenship?
The standard route is 8 years: 7 years of residence within the last 10, plus a continuous final year before applying. Faster tracks exist for highly skilled professionals (4–5 years) and spouses of Cypriot citizens (3 years of marriage), but all require actual residence, not a periodic visit.
Who can be included in the application?
A spouse and minor children — the €500 fee covers all three together. Children over 18 are filed separately with an extra €500 fee and their own income requirement as a dependant.
How strict is the source-of-funds check?
Stricter since 2026 than before: the department now asks for detailed bank statements, audited accounts, and documents tracing where the property-purchase money came from.
Sources
Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 26 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.