Cyprus Passport: A Bridge to Europe
Cyprus being a full member of the European Union (EU) follows the same that Cypriot Citizens are also European Citizens. Cyprus Passport holders have access to the nation’s healthcare and education systems and can travel and reside freely in any EU Member State.
Cypriot Citizenship is for life (under the Citizenship Program Guidelines) and can be passed down to future generations who may become Cypriot Citizens by descent.
Benefits of the Cypriot Passport
There are a number of benefits that come with becoming a Cypriot Citizen. These include:
Dual Citizenship
Cyprus recognizes dual citizenship and if your country of origin also allows dual citizenship, you could then be a citizen of two or more countries.
Tax Benefits
Cyprus has one of the lowest tax rates worldwide, especially in corporate tax. This factor makes Cyprus an attractive destination for businesses to expand their activities.
Travel Benefits
As a Cypriot Citizen, individuals will gain the opportunity to travel within the 27 states that make up the European Union, Visa Free. This benefit has economic as well as bureaucratic advantages that individuals can enjoy.
Employment
Due to the common market in the European Union, citizens of the EU enjoy extensive occupational rights in all 27 member states. This freedom affords Cypriot Citizens including their EU or NON-EU family members the opportunity to move freely and work in any member state without restrictions.
Education
Citizens of Cyprus who secure admission into public universities will go through their undergraduate years for free. Cypriots have the right to study in another EU Member State and enjoy the same conditions that apply to the citizens of such countries.
Healthcare
Based on the adoption of cross-border healthcare, EU Citizens enjoy extensive healthcare rights. The Republic of Cyprus provides healthcare through the General Healthcare System (GHS) which is a modern, patient-centric healthcare system with the aim of delivering quality healthcare services to beneficiaries and who’s main features are:
- Universal coverage of the population
- Equal and equitable treatment of all beneficiaries
- Provision of a comprehensive package of healthcare services
- Freedom of choice of provider by the beneficiaries
- Social reciprocity
Additionally, bearers of the European Health Insurance Card can receive treatment under the same conditions and for similar costs in all EU Member States.
Retirement and Pension Benefits
Cyprus Citizens are all insured under the country’s Social Security Scheme and receive a pension through this scheme.
How to get the Cyprus Passport?
There are a number of ways in which one can obtain the Cyprus Passport and thereby obtain all the benefits that come with that. The success of each application depends on whether or not the conditions are met by the applicant.
Below we summarize the 3 categories on obtaining the Cyprus Passport:
Citizenship by Birth/Descent
If you were born in Cyprus having at least one Cypriot parent, you automatically become a Cypriot Citizen by birth.
If you were born abroad having at least one Cypriot parent, you can become a Cypriot Citizen by right of family descent and will need to primarily obtain a Consular Certificate of Birth as proof of evidence.
Citizenship by Naturalization
Any foreigner over the age of 18 can apply for the Cyprus Citizenship provided they have a Clean Criminal Record, a B1
Certificate for knowledge of the Greek Language and have legally resided in the Republic of Cyprus (conditions apply under the Citizenship Program Guidelines) for a total of seven (7) years or 2,555 days prior to their application and within the immediate ten (10) prior years. Furthermore, any person fulfilling the above criteria must have also legally resided in the Republic of Cyprus for an additional continuous period of 12 months before submitting their application for the Cyprus Citizenship (absences up to 90 days allowed).
A key criteria for naturalization is adequate accommodation and stable and regular financial means to support themselves and their families (contract of sale or rental, rental payment and utility receipts, proof of salary, employment contract, income tax statement, social security and bank account documentation).
Additional to to the above, any person who resides and is employed in the Republic of Cyprus under a highly skilled employment specialization in companies of foreign interest and companies of high tech in general and in the context of attracting companies to operate and/or expand their activities in the Republic of Cyprus or similarly in the attraction of talented human potential, and who have knowledge of the Greek language level A2 or B1, the cumulative time of legal residence within the previous ten (10) years from the period of 12 months provided is set at four (4) or three (3) years, respectively, instead of seven (7) years.
Citizenship by Marriage
Any foreigner married to a Cypriot may submit a Cyprus Citizenship application after three years of marriage and at least two years of residency in the Republic of Cyprus. Applicants who are not residing in Cyprus may submit their application to the respective Cyprus Mission abroad. In both cases, conditions apply under the Citizenship Program Guidelines.
The information provided by CRS is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or formal legal advice. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any information provided above without obtaining legal or other professional advice.