In an attempt to attract foreign investments, the government of the Republic of Cyprus has, in 2013, enacted new legislation making it easier for foreign investors to obtain a Cyprus passport and, if they so choose, to become tax residents of Cyprus.

The process to get a Cyprus passport only takes about 4-6 months and the investments can be made in one of several methods, which include bank deposits and/or Cyprus government bond purchases of €5million to be deposited/held for 3 years, or, alternatively, investments in real estate in Cyprus valued at least €2.5million plus vat.

An approved applicant is enabled to apply for a Cyprus passport and tax residency for his/her spouse and depended children of up to the age of 28, if they are depended students, otherwise up to the age of 18.

In all types of investment (deposits/bonds/real estate) the applicant has to buy a residence in Cyprus valued at least €500,000 plus vat.

TAX ADVANTAGES

For those foreign investors obtaining a Cyprus passport and choosing to become tax residents of Cyprus, there are new incentives, which include the concept of Non Domiciled persons (Non-Doms) where incomes of such tax residents will only be taxed at the corporate level of 12.5%, thus offering a continued tax advantage for all future incomes of the investor.

Clients may choose not to become tax residents of Cyprus in which case they will not be taxed in Cyprus except for their Cyprus generated income (if any).

Additionally, properties in Cyprus purchased between now and December 31, 2016 are permanently exempted from the standard 20% capital gains tax, irrespective of when they will be sold (the requirement to keep the properties purchased as part of the passport-application process is 3 years).  

To make it even more attractive to invest, properties purchased by December 31, 2016 will also be given a 50% discount on transfer duties, an effective discount of between 2.75% to 4% as the normal transfer duties for the purchase of real estate assets valued at €500,000 or higher range from between 5.5% and 8%.

The above incentives are on top of the fact that due to the recession that Cyprus is currently in, real estate prices are suppressed and excellent deals can be made.

PROFEL SERVICES provides turn-key services in relation to all of the above processes, passport application, tax residency application, deposit/bond and real estate investments and associated legal work and checks that are needed.

New and Accelerated Procedure for Granting Immigration Permit to Applicants who are Third Country Nationals and Intent to Invest in the Republic of Cyprus

The government of the Republic of Cyprus has decided to issue Immigration Permit to applicants, who are third country nationals, provided that they fulfil the following criteria:

(a) The applicant must prove that he has at his disposal a secured minimum annual income of €30.000, from sources other than employment in Cyprus. The required income of €30.000 could derive from salaries of employment abroad and not in Cyprus, pensions, stock shares, rents, etc. The necessary minimum annual income is increased by €5.000 for each dependent person.

(b) The applicant must submit the application form accompanied with a Title of ownership or contract of sale, of a property in Cyprus, a house, apartment or other building, of a minimum market value of €300.000 and proof of payment for at least €200,000. The contract of sale should already have been submitted to the Department of Lands and Surveys.

(c) The applicant must submit a confirmation letter from a Cypriot Bank stating that he has deposited a minimum capital of €30.000 in an account, which will be pledged at least for a three year period.

It is noted that the amounts mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c) should be proven to have been transferred to Cyprus from abroad.

(d) The applicant must submit a Criminal Record Certificate (if the applicant resides abroad), which must be issued by the Authorities in his country of origin, and he should not constitute in general any threat against public order or security in Cyprus.

(e) The applicant should submit a Statement that he does not intent to work or be engaged in any form of business in Cyprus.

(f) The applicants should visit Cyprus at least once every two years.