Cypriot citizenship provides the opportunity to live, work, and travel across EU countries while accessing European markets.
Here’s a concise guide to the current pathways for obtaining Cypriot citizenship:
1. Cypriot Origin
- Eligibility: If either of your parents is a Cypriot citizen, you are eligible for Cypriot citizenship.
- Fees: Application fees range from €20 to €80.
- Note: Post-Brexit, some Britons have traced Cypriot ancestry to gain citizenship.

2. Naturalization
- Residency Requirement:
- 7 years (2,555 days) of legal residence in Cyprus.
- Reduced to 5 years for children or parents of Cypriot citizens.
- Must reside continuously in Cyprus for 12 months before application.
- Fees: Approximately €1,000.
- Processing Time: Applications are reviewed within 1–2 years.
3. Marriage to a Cypriot Citizen
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Married for at least 3 years, with 2 of those years living in Cyprus.
- If not residing in Cyprus, applicants must explain why citizenship is required.
- No explanation needed for couples married over 5 years with at least one child.
- Fees: €300.
- Processing Time: 1–2 years.
Additional Notes:
- Language: Knowledge of Greek is often recommended for those intending to live in Cyprus.
- Past Investment Program:
- Previously, citizenship could be obtained by investing €2.2 million in Cyprus.
- Program benefits included no tax obligations for those staying less than 183 days per year.
- This program ended on November 1, 2020, after a scandal revealed misuse by applicants seeking to evade legal troubles in their home countries.
While the investment pathway is no longer available, the current routes to Cypriot citizenship remain straightforward for eligible applicants.