The 60-day rule.

Most countries require 183 days to establish tax residency. Cyprus offers an alternative: spend just 60 days a year on the island and you qualify as a Cyprus tax resident — as long as you don’t have tax residency anywhere else.

This makes Cyprus uniquely flexible for founders and investors who travel constantly or split time across multiple countries.

  • Spend at least 60 days in Cyprus during the tax year
  • Not a tax resident of any other country
  • Don’t spend more than 183 days in any single other country
  • Maintain a permanent address in Cyprus (owned or rented)
  • Have a business activity in Cyprus (e.g. a registered company)

The 60-day rule is an alternative to the standard 183-day rule — not a loophole. It was designed specifically to attract internationally mobile professionals.

Minimum days in Cyprus60 / year
Max days in any other country183
Tax residency elsewhereNot permitted
Cyprus address requiredYes
Cyprus business activityYes
Standard EU alternative183 days

Non-dom status.

Once you’re a Cyprus tax resident, non-dom status exempts you from Special Defence Contribution — the tax on dividends, interest, and rental income. For 17 years.

In practice: dividends from your Cyprus company flow to you tax-free. Interest on savings, tax-free. Rental income from abroad, tax-free.

  • 0% tax on dividends
  • 0% tax on interest income
  • 0% tax on foreign rental income
  • Lasts 17 years from becoming a Cyprus tax resident
  • Automatic if you haven’t been a Cyprus tax resident for 17 of the last 20 years
Dividend tax0%
Interest income tax0%
Foreign rental income tax0%
Duration17 years
QualificationAutomatic
Typical EU equivalent25–35%

Permanent residency
by investment.

Cyprus offers a fast-track permanent residency program for investors. A qualifying investment of €300,000+ gets you and your family permanent EU residency — with no requirement to live there full-time.

  • Minimum €300,000 (+ VAT) in qualifying investment
  • New residential property, commercial real estate, company shares, or approved funds
  • Secure annual income of at least €50,000 from abroad
  • Spouse and dependent children included
  • No requirement to live in Cyprus full-time
  • Approval typically within 2–3 months

PR is separate from tax residency. You can hold Cyprus PR without being a tax resident — and vice versa. Many clients pursue both.

Minimum investment€300,000+
Min. annual income€50,000
+ Spouse€15,000
+ Per dependent child€10,000
Processing time2–3 months
Full-time residence requiredNo

A Cyprus company
changes everything.

A Cyprus private limited company gives you access to the full tax framework — 15% corporate tax, the IP Box at 2.5%, and the ability to pay yourself dividends tax-free under non-dom status. It’s also a requirement for the 60-day rule.

  • 15% corporate tax — one of the lowest in the EU
  • IP Box regime: 2.5% effective rate on qualifying IP income
  • Dividends extracted tax-free under non-dom status
  • Required for 60-day tax residency qualification
  • EU-registered entity — full credibility with banks and partners
  • Formation takes approximately 5–10 working days
Corporate tax rate15%
IP Box effective rate2.5%
Dividend tax (non-dom)0%
VAT registration19% (standard)
Formation time5–10 days
EU registeredYes

What does this actually look like?

From first conversation to fully structured Cyprus residency, here’s a realistic timeline.

1

Initial consultation

We assess your situation — income sources, current residency, goals. You get a clear picture of what’s possible and what it costs.

Day 1
2

Company formation

We handle incorporation of your Cyprus private limited company. You receive your certificate of incorporation and company details.

1–2 weeks
3

Address & banking

Secure a Cyprus address (rented or purchased) and open a Cyprus bank account. Both are required for tax residency registration.

2–4 weeks
4

Tax residency registration

Register as a Cyprus tax resident with the Tax Department. Apply for your Tax Identification Code (TIC) and non-dom status.

2–4 weeks
5

Permanent residency (optional)

If pursuing PR, we identify qualifying property or investment, handle the application, and submit to the Civil Registry and Migration Department.

2–3 months

Fully structured

Cyprus company operational, tax residency confirmed, non-dom status active. You’re ready to benefit from the full framework.

~3 months total

Ready to see what
Cyprus looks like for you?

Book a free consultation. We’ll walk through your situation and map out exactly how the Cyprus framework applies to your income and goals.