Cyprus Category F Visa 2026: Fast-Track Permanent Residence Guide

Category F Overview

Category F is Cyprus's fast-track permanent residence permit for non-EU nationals who make qualifying investments. Key features:

• Status: Permanent residence (not temporary)
• Investment: €300,000 minimum in new property
• Income: €50,000/year from abroad (or variations)
• Processing: 2-3 months
• Family: Spouse, children under 25, and parents included
• Residency requirement: Visit once every 2 years minimum
• Citizenship path: After 7 years (5 if married to Cypriot)

Investment Options

Option A: New Property (Most Common)

Purchase new property (never previously sold) worth at least €300,000 plus VAT:

• Must be purchased from developer
• Property can be residential, commercial, or mixed
• Can purchase multiple properties totaling €300,000+
• VAT (19%) typically reduced to 5% for primary residence
• Property must be retained for duration of PR

Option B: Company Shares

Invest €300,000+ in shares of a Cyprus-registered company:

• Company must be based and operating in Cyprus
• Must employ at least 5 Cyprus residents
• More complex requirements and due diligence

Option C: Investment Funds

Invest €300,000+ in Cyprus investment funds:

• Fund must be licensed by CySEC
• Funds must be invested in Cyprus-based investments

Option D: Combination

Combine the above to total €300,000+ (e.g., €200,000 property + €100,000 company shares).

Income Requirements

Beyond investment, you must demonstrate stable income from abroad:

Standard Category F

• €50,000/year income from outside Cyprus
• Increase of €15,000 for spouse
• Increase of €10,000 per child
• Sources: employment abroad, pension, rental income, dividends, investments
• Must be from outside Cyprus (not Cyprus-sourced)

Category F (Retiree/Non-Working Variation)

For those not working:

• Lower income threshold: €30,000-35,000/year
• Pension income qualifies
• Cannot work in Cyprus

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply

• Non-EU/EEA nationals
• Clean criminal record
• Funds from legitimate sources (AML compliance)
• Health insurance valid in Cyprus
• Not on international sanctions lists

Family Members Eligible

• Spouse/partner
• Children under 18
• Adult children 18-25 (if unmarried and financially dependent)
• Parents of applicant and spouse (over 65)

Required Documents

• Valid passport (all applicants)
• Completed application form
• Birth certificates (all applicants)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Criminal record certificates (apostilled)
• Proof of investment:
  • Property: Sale contract, title deed, payment receipts
  • Shares: Share certificates, company registration
  • Funds: Fund certificates, account statements
• Proof of income:
  • Bank statements (12 months)
  • Employment contracts or pension statements
  • Tax returns from home country
• Proof of funds origin (AML compliance)
• Health insurance policies
• CV/Resume
• Passport-size photos

Application Process

Step 1: Investment (Weeks 1-8)

Complete your qualifying investment:

• Select and purchase property (most common)
• Pay minimum €200,000 before application
• Remaining €100,000+ can be paid over time
• Obtain sale contract and payment receipts

Step 2: Gather Documents (Weeks 4-8)

Collect all required documentation:

• Criminal records (must be recent—within 6 months)
• Apostille all foreign documents
• Prepare income evidence
• Obtain health insurance

Step 3: Submit Application

Submit to Civil Registry and Migration Department:

• Can submit in person in Cyprus or through representative
• Pay application fee (~€500)
• Provide biometrics

Step 4: Processing (6-8 weeks)

Application reviewed by Migration Department:

• Background checks conducted
• May request additional documents
• Typical processing: 2 months

Step 5: Approval & Card

Upon approval:

• Receive approval letter
• Collect biometric residence card
• Card valid indefinitely (permanent residence)

Costs Breakdown

Item	Cost
Property Investment (minimum)	€300,000
VAT on Property (reduced rate)	5% (€15,000)
Transfer Fees	~€6,000-12,000
Legal Fees	€3,000-5,000
Application Fee	~€500
Document Apostilles	€200-500
Health Insurance (annual)	€1,000-2,000

Total investment cost: Approximately €325,000-335,000 including all fees (excluding ongoing property costs).

Benefits of Category F

Immediate Benefits

• Permanent residence from day one (no waiting)
• No minimum stay requirement—visit once every 2 years
• Live and work in Cyprus without restrictions
• Family inclusion—spouse, children, parents
• EU benefits—access to EU services, banking, education

Tax Benefits

• No inheritance tax
• No wealth tax
• No tax on worldwide dividends for individuals
• Favorable treatment of foreign income
• 50% income tax exemption for new residents (first 17 years)

Pathway to Citizenship

• Eligible for Cyprus (EU) citizenship after 7 years of residence
• Reduced to 5 years if married to Cypriot citizen
• Must pass Greek language test for citizenship
• Cyprus passport provides visa-free access to 170+ countries

Category F vs. Other Options

vs. Digital Nomad Visa

• DN Visa: Temporary (max 3 years), no investment, must work remotely
• Category F: Permanent, requires €300,000 investment, can work or not work

vs. Portugal Golden Visa

• Portugal: €500,000 investment fund (property route ended), longer processing
• Cyprus: €300,000 property still available, faster processing

vs. Greece Golden Visa

• Greece: €250,000-500,000 depending on region, 5-year renewable
• Cyprus: €300,000, permanent from day one

Official Resources

For the most current and authoritative information, consult these official sources:

• Cyprus Immigration - Official visa and immigration information
• Cyprus Tourism - Official tourism board with travel resources