As part of the Strategy for Attracting Companies to Activate and/or Expand their Activities in Cyprus, the Civil Registry (Amendment) Law of 2023, in force since 19 December 2023, introduced a fast-track route to Cypriot citizenship by naturalization for foreign nationals residing in the Republic for the purpose of highly skilled employment, and for their family members.
Compared with the general naturalization route, highly skilled employees benefit from a significantly shorter residence requirement, the option of a lower level of Greek language proficiency and the possibility of an accelerated examination of their application.
WHO IS A HIGHLY SKILLED EMPLOYEE
- Individuals holding temporary residence permits for the purpose of employment in companies of foreign interests, in the category of Director, Specialist or Key Personnel; or
- Individuals holding any type of residence permit (or other lawful residence status in Cyprus) who:
- receive a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,500; and
- hold either a university diploma or degree (or an equivalent qualification), or certificates of at least 2 years’ experience in a corresponding employment position (e.g., tax declarations).
Individuals in the second category must provide a certificate from either the Business Facilitation Unit or the Civil Registry and Migration Department confirming that the company meets the criteria of the Council of Ministers’ Decision.
WHO CAN APPLY
A highly skilled employee who, on the day of submission and on the day of examination of the application, is employed by an eligible company1, and has been so employed for at least two years before submitting the application, may apply provided they cumulatively meet the following:
- Continuous residence: legal and continuous residence in Cyprus for the 12 months immediately before the application is submitted. Absences totalling up to 90 days do not interrupt this period.
- Prior residence: during the 10 years preceding that 12-month period, legal residence for a total of at least 4 years (with Greek at A2 level) or 3 years (with Greek at B1 level). Absences of up to 90 days per year are not counted as absences.
- Good character.
- Greek language: sufficient knowledge of the Greek language at A2 or B1 level, as applicable.
- Knowledge of Cyprus: sufficient knowledge of the basic elements of the contemporary political and social reality of Cyprus.
- Accommodation and financial resources: suitable accommodation and stable and regular financial resources, sufficient for the maintenance of the applicant and their family members.
- Intention to reside in the Republic.
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
- Greek language: a Certificate of Success in the Greek language at the applicable level. Holders of a Greek-language secondary school diploma or of an academic degree taught in Greek are exempt.
- Knowledge of Cyprus: a Certificate of Success with a grade of at least 60% in the evaluation examination conducted by the Examination Service of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth.
- Accommodation: title deed, purchase agreement and payment receipts, or rental agreement and rent payment receipts, together with utility bill payment receipts.
- Financial resources: payroll evidence, employment contract, social insurance contribution statement, income tax records, bank accounts, or any other evidence proving the applicant’s income.
FAMILY MEMBERS
Family members of a highly skilled employee may apply together with or after that person, provided they fulfil the residence and language requirements2. Family members include:
- The spouse or partner of the employee at the time the employee submitted their application for naturalization (“spouse” meaning either party to a state-recognized marriage; “partner” as interpreted in the Civil Partnership Law);
- A dependent adult child with a disability, within the meaning of article 2 of the Persons with Disabilities Law, which renders them incapable of employment and of entering into legal acts.