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NEW REGULATIONS FOR NATURALISATION
FOR HIGHLY SKILLED STAFF OF COMPANIES RELOCATING TO CYPRUS

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In early 2024, after much pressure from fintech, forex, shipping, and science based companies operating in Cyprus, the Government of Cyprus announced new more flexible regulations to offer an incentive to highly skilled (and highly paid) employees and managers, to relocate to Cyprus. 

According to the Ministry of Interior, the new qualifications for naturalisation, pursuant to Article 111B(1) of the Civil Registry Law, which must be met cumulatively to for an application for naturalisation to be submitted, include:

1. Legal and continuous residence for 12 months immediately preceding the date of application, with periods of absence not exceeding 90 days in total not interrupting the stated period of time
2. Legal residence for cumulative periods of no less than 7 years during the 10 years immediately preceding the 12-month period.

The required criteria also include:
1. Good character
2. Sufficient knowledge of the Greek language at level B1
2. The sufficient knowledge of the modern political and social reality of the Republic
3. Suitable accommodation and stable and regular financial resources
4. The means for the support of himself and the members of the applicant's family
5. The intention to reside in the Republic

These qualifications apply only for persons who comply with Article 111B(2) of Civil Registry Law, residing in the Republic for the purpose of highly skilled employment in companies, which are determined by the Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 92.018 and date 15/10/2021, regarding the Strategy for Attracting Companies to Activate and/or Expand their Activities, as well as for their family members. This category of companies include:

1. Companies of foreign interests operating in the Republic of Cyprus and operating independent offices in Cyprus, which are housed in suitable premises, separate from any private residence or other office
2. Cyprus based shipping companies
3. Cyprus based hi-tech/innovation companies (with products related to the aerospace industry, computers, information technology and communication, pharmaceuticals, biomedical equipment, research and development equipment, electrical machinery, chemicals, non-electrical machinery)
4. Cyprus based pharmaceutical companies
5. Cyprus based companies active in the fields of biogenetics and biotechnology and
companies that are already registered in the Register of Foreign Companies of the Civil Registry and Migration Department.

In addition to above, for the persons falling under the provisions of article 111B(2), as well as for their family members, which must be met cumulatively, are:
1. Legal and continuous residence for 12 months immediately preceding the date of application, with periods of absence not exceeding 90 days in total not interrupting the stated period, and
2. Legal residence for cumulative periods of no less than 4 years or 3 years, depending on the level of knowledge of the Greek language, i.e. A2 or B1 respectively, during the immediately preceding 10 years from the 12-month period, with an absence that does not exceed a total of 90 days not to interrupt the mentioned time period.

 

Other requirements are:

1. Good character

2. Sufficient knowledge of the Greek language at level A2 or B1
3. Sufficient knowledge of the modern political and social reality of the Republic
4. Suitable accommodation and stable and regular financial resources sufficient for the upkeep of the applicant and his family members
5. Intention to stay in the Republic