The Cyprus Residency Programme Offers Fast and Efficient EU Residency in 3 months

THE CYPRUS RESIDENCY PROGRAMME

Cyprus is a popular destination due to friendly climate and central location for leisure and business travellers alike. It is also an attractive tax destination and a transparent regulatory and legal framework.

For investors and families looking for a straightforward route to residency, the Cyprus residency programme offers the opportunity to acquire residency in as little as 3 months.

There are no residence periods, no language test and no physical stay requirements in order to acquire Cyprus residency through investment. Investors are only required to visit Cyprus every two years.

ACQUIRING RESIDENCY IN CYPRUS

In May 2013, the fast track permanent residency permit was introduced and enables foreigners to be granted permanent residency in exchange for an investment into the country.

Please contact us to speak to a private client advisor: info@lio-global.com

INTERESTING INFORMATION

Cyprus is known as the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite.

People drive on the left hand side in Cyprus.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

Greek (official), Turkish (official), English

MEMBER

UN, EU, Eurozone, Commonwealth

CURRENCY

Euro

POPULATION

1.141 million (2013 est.)

TOTAL AREA

9 251 km2 (3 572 sq mi)

DIALING CODE

+357

INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS

In order to qualify for residency, the following must be met:

Purchase of real estate with a minimum value of EUR 300 000

Evidence of ownership of a property purchased in Cyprus for a minimum of EUR 300 000 plus VAT needs to be provided. The contract of sale must have been submitted to the Cyprus Department of Land and Surveys. Proof of payment of at least EUR 200 000 plus vat must be included along with the contract.

Proof of external income

Investors must show that they receive an annual income of at least EUR 30 000 from sources other than employment in Cyprus. For example, this can include salaries, rental income, dividends, pensions etc. This increases by EUR 5 000 per dependent child, and EUR 8 000 per dependent parent.

Three year fixed deposit

The applicant must submit a confirmation letter stating that a three-year fixed deposit of EUR 30,000 has been made. The letter must come from a Cyprus bank.

Notes:

The property can be purchased through a company, provided that the company is registered in the name of the applicant and spouse, and that they are the sole shareholders.

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have a valid travel document

Proof of source of funds

No criminal record

Proof of Health Insurance

Visit Cyprus at least once every two years

CITIZENSHIP

The above programme offers residency only.

To find out about Cyprus’ citizenship by investment programme, click here.

Cyprus allows dual citizenship.

TRAVEL AND BENEFITS

The Permanent Residence Card allows the holder to live permanently in Cyprus. Having the card assists the holder in getting visas to other EU countries, where they are needed.

The residency programme is very fast, taking only 2 – 3 months.

There are no language requirements or physical stay requirements aside from a visit every 2 years.

Investors can include spouses, dependent children as well as dependent parents in the application.

TAX

The tax system in Portugal typically separates people who are residents and those who are classified as Non-Habitual Residents (NHR). Non-residents are taxed at 25% on Portuguese source based income (employment or self-employment).

Rental income, capital gains and other forms of investment income is taxed at around 28%. Residents of Portugal are taxed at a progressive rate of up to 48% which is dependent on income levels. The NHR scheme is available to people who do not qualify as tax residents in Portugal based on certain conditions.

VAT is 23% and the standard rate of corporate income tax is 25%. There is a 10-year tax incentive to investors.

We are not tax advisors and highly encourage clients to meet with a professional tax consultant.

PROCESS AND TIMELINES

On submission, there is an administration fee payable as well as for the biometric capturing. The Civil Registry and Migration Department will then examine the application, which will then be sent to the Ministry of Interior for a final decision. This process typically takes around 2 months.

Once approval has been granted for the applicant and his/her family, they must all visit Cyprus within one year in order to obtain the physical permit. During this visit, the biometric data will be captured at the migration office in Nicosia and submitted along with the residency application.

Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Cyprus, a member state of the European Union, is both the third largest as well as the third most populous island in the Mediterranean. Located south of Turkey and east of Greece, Cyprus enjoys a beautiful climate year round.

Cyprus has an interesting history, with the earliest known human activity dating back to around the 10th Millennium BC. The country was originally settled by the Mycenaean Greeks in the 2nd millennium BC. Cyprus was placed under British administration in 1878 until it was granted independence in 1960 and then becoming a member of the Commonwealth one year later.

Cyprus is a very popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches and water sports. It joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and has both an advanced high income economy as well as a very high human development index rating. On 1 January 2008 Cyprus joined the Eurozone.

CYPRUS TOURISM

Visit the official tourism website for Cyprus: http://www.visitcyprus.com/

LIO GLOBAL

The Cyprus Residency Programme Offers Fast and Efficient EU Residency in 3 months