The programme of obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus for non-EU citizens continues to work in 2025. But foreigners are increasingly ‘just’ buying - without formalising their status. We will tell you why this trend is happening.
What Is Happening With The Cyprus Coml Programme In 2025
Cohabitation in Cyprus in 2025 is still a working and understandable programme. To obtain the status you need to invest a minimum of €300 thousand (excluding VAT) in a new building, commercial property, units of funds or shares in a Cypriot company. Most often choose the purchase of housing.
Permanent residence is granted to all family members, including children under 25 years old. Parents of the applicant, however, will not be able to apply.
What is important: the process is getting longer. Now, in 2025, even with an ideal case for consideration takes at least eight months - if all the documents have already been collected and translated, a meeting has been held in the migration department and the application has been assigned a number. But eight months is an optimistic timeframe.
If You Don't Need A Residence Permit?
But if you are just looking for a place to live for yourself - everything is much easier.
Buying without a residence permit opens up freedom of payment. It is not necessary to transfer the amount to Cyprus. Many property developers have adapted and opened accounts in other countries: in the UAE, Switzerland, Armenia, etc.
- If the seller - a private individual - is not Cypriot, he is usually ready to receive the money in another country. This is absolutely legal.
- Such transactions do not require strict compliance in Cypriot banks. This means less bureaucracy, simplified (or completely eliminated) checks on the origin of funds, the process is faster.
- Finally, in transactions that are not tied to obtaining a residence permit, you can use alternative forms of payment, such as cryptocurrency. It is not prohibited in Cyprus, just local banks do not accept it directly. However, this does not prevent transactions from taking place if both the seller and the buyer are ready for such a format.
What Is Important To Remember Before Buying A Property In Cyprus
The residence permit programme in Cyprus is governed by Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations.
To obtain a permanent residence permit, you must invest €300,000 or more in new apartments in Cyprus, commercial property, units or shares in a Cypriot company.
The alternative to a permanent residence permit is a work visa (for those who are employed) or an F-category visa, which is suitable for those who have passive income. The minimum threshold is €9,568.17 per year plus €4,613.22 for each dependent.
You cannot have two types of residence permits at once - you will have to choose between a working and investment permit.
If the goal is not to move, but a profitable investment, a second residence, a ‘reserve aerodrome’ or just a house by the sea, the purchase without registration of residence permits may be easier, faster and more convenient. And most importantly - it does not close the possibility of changing status in the future, if such a need arises.
