How to Obtain Cyprus Citizenship

For those who secure Cyprus citizenship, there are opportunities such as enhanced international mobility, access to quality education, and a high standard of living. Discover the various pathways to obtain citizenship, including ancestry, marriage, naturalization after a period of permanent residence, and the Cyprus citizenship by investment program.

Benefits of Cyprus Citizenship

How to Obtain Cyprus Citizenship

Citizenship by descent

You could be eligible for acquiring citizenship through descent if you were born abroad but are of Cypriot origin. To be eligible, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must have a Cypriot parent or grandparent.
• You must be able to prove your Cypriot ancestry through official documentation.
• You must submit an application to the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD) of Cyprus.
• You must declare that you have no dual citizenship or that you intend to renounce your existing citizenship.
• You must meet the age requirement, which is 18 years old.
• You must not have any criminal convictions.

The application fee for citizenship by descent can be up to €250, depending on which category you apply for.

Citizenship by marriage

To be eligible for Cyprus citizenship through marriage, you must meet the following criteria:

• Your marriage must be legally recognized in both Cyprus and your country of origin.
• You must have lived continuously in Cyprus for at least three years immediately before applying for Cypriot citizenship.
• You must be of good character and have no criminal convictions.
• You must have a basic knowledge of the Greek or Turkish language.
• You must renounce your existing citizenship unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.

The application fee for citizenship by marriage is €300.

Citizenship by naturalization

To be eligible for Cypriot citizenship through naturalization, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have completed seven years of legal residence in Cyprus for a continuous period prior to the application.
• You must have a basic knowledge of the Greek or Turkish language.
• You must demonstrate that you have integrated into Cypriot society and have a genuine connection to the country.
• You must have a clean criminal record certificate.
• You must have a stable and sufficient income to support yourself and your dependents.

The application fee for citizenship by naturalization for foreign nationals is €800. You will likely have to attend an interview at a Cyprus Embassy.

Citizenship by birth or adoption

In exceptional cases, children born in Cyprus to non-Cypriot parents may be eligible to become a citizen by birth or adoption. To qualify for this route, the child must meet the following conditions:

• At least one parent must be legally resident in Cyprus at the time of the child’s birth or adoption.
• The child must have been born in Cyprus or adopted by a Cypriot citizen and have resided in the country for at least five years prior to the application.
• The child must demonstrate a strong connection to Cyprus and have a genuine interest in becoming a Cypriot citizen.

How to Apply for Cyprus Citizenship

Citizenship by descent

• Gather all the required documentation to prove your Cypriot ancestry, including birth certificate(s), marriage certificate(s), and family registries. Note that applicants born after Cyprus attained independence may be issued a consular birth certificate.
• Complete and submit the application form to the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD), which is a Cypriot government department.
• Submit copies of valid passports or identity cards for all applicants.
• Submit proof of residence in Cyprus, such as utility bills or rental agreements.
• Agree to undergo a background check to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

Citizenship by marriage

• Ensure your marriage is legally recognized in both Cyprus and your country of origin.
• Demonstrate that you have resided continuously in Cyprus for at least three years immediately before applying for citizenship.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of either the Greek or Turkish language.
• Show evidence of sufficient income to support yourself and your dependents.
• Complete and submit the application forms to the CRMD.

You will likely have to attend an interview at a Cyprus Embassy. Before you can receive your Cypriot passport, you’ll need to visit Cyprus and submit your biometric data.

Citizenship by birth or adoption

For citizenship by birth, the process is:

• Documentation: Gather all necessary documents to establish your Cypriot lineage, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and family registries. If you were born after Cyprus gained independence, you may be issued a consular birth certificate.
• Application form filling: Complete and submit the application form for citizenship by birth to the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD) of the Cypriot Government.
• ID copies: Provide copies of valid passports or identity cards for all applicants.
• Residence proof: Submit evidence of your continuous residence in Cyprus, such as utility bills or rental agreements.
• Background check: Agree to undergo a background check to verify your eligibility and ensure you meet the citizenship criteria.

For citizenship by adoption, the process is as follows:

• Adoption documentation: Gather all documents related to your adoption, including the adoption certificate, court order, and any supporting evidence.
• Application form completion: Fill out the application form for citizenship by adoption and submit it to the CRMD.
• ID copies: Provide copies of your valid passport or identity card.
• Legal proof: Submit legal proof of your adoption, such as the adoption certificate and court order.
• Background check: Consent to undergo a background check to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and have no criminal record.
• Language requirement: Demonstrate a basic knowledge of either the Greek or Turkish language.
• Residence proof: Provide evidence of your continuous residence in Cyprus for at least three years immediately before applying for citizenship.
• Income documentation: Showcase sufficient income to support yourself and any dependents.
• CRMD submission: Submit the completed application form and supporting documents to the CRMD.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Obtain Cyprus Citizenship

Can I acquire Cypriot citizenship?

You may be able to acquire citizenship of Cyprus through descent, marriage, or naturalization.

What kind of travel access do Cypriot citizens have?

Gaining Cypriot nationality provides the opportunity to enjoy visa free or visa on arrival access to 170 countries and territories, ranking 12th in the world in terms of travel freedom.

Naturally, as you gain EU citizenship once you become a citizen of Cyprus, this includes all countries in the Schengen area, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

Cypriot nationality also enables you to enjoy visa free travel to many other countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Additionally, the nation, located between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, is convenient to travel to and from.

How can I become a Cypriot citizen?

Descent: If you are born in Cyprus to at least one Cypriot parent or grandparent, you are automatically eligible for Cypriot citizenship. If you are of Cypriot origin,

Marriage: If you are married to a Cyprus citizen for at least three years, you can apply for Cypriot citizenship by naturalization.

Naturalization: If you have been living in Cyprus legally for at least five years, you can apply for Cypriot citizenship by naturalization. You will need to demonstrate that you have integrated into Cypriot society and have a clean criminal record.

What is the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Program?

The Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) was a pathway for high-net-worth individuals with substantial financial assets to obtain Cypriot citizenship by making a significant investment in the country. The program aimed to attract foreign investment and boost the Cypriot economy.

How strong is the Cyprus passport?

The Cyprus passport has a high visa free travel score of 170, allowing visa free access to 170 countries and territories. Once you have acquired Cypriot citizenship, you will receive a passport that’s considered strong globally, ranking 12th in terms of travel freedom.

How can someone with a permanent residence permit for Cyprus apply for Cypriot citizenship?

If you have a permanent resident permit, you can embark on the path to Cypriot citizenship by naturalization after five years of permanent residence. Prepare the documents required, submit the application to the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD), engage in an interview, await the decision, and attend the citizenship ceremony if granted. Seek expert guidance to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements and have all of the required documents for a smooth process.

Does the Cypriot government allow dual citizenship?

Yes, Cyprus allows dual citizenship. Cypriot citizens are not required to renounce their previous citizenship when they acquire Cypriot citizenship. This makes it possible for Cypriots to hold dual citizenship with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. This freedom to hold dual citizenship is one of the benefits of being a Cypriot citizen.

What is the Cyprus Golden Visa?

The Cyprus Golden Visa is a discontinued Cyprus residency by investment program that allows non-EU citizens to obtain Cyprus permanent residency by investing in approved real estate or investment projects. The Golden Visa program was designed to attract foreign investment and support the Cypriot economy in exchange for permanent residency.

What kind of accompanying documents do I need for my application?

The necessary documents to apply to become a Cyprus citizen depend on the pathway you intend to take, but in summary, you will need:

Birth certificate(s) of your Cypriot parent or grandparent(s): If you are applying through descent, you will need to provide birth certificates for your Cypriot parent or grandparent(s). If your parent or grandparent was born following Cyprus gaining independence, you may be issued a consular birth certificate.

Marriage certificate(s) of your parents, if applicable: If you are applying through marriage, you will need to provide marriage certificates for yourself and your spouse.

Family registry documents, if available: If you have access to family registry documents, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, you should also provide these.

Proof of your legal residence in Cyprus: If you are applying to obtain citizenship through descent or naturalization, you will need to provide proof of your legal residence in Cyprus for a specified period of time. This may include copies of your passport stamps, utility bills, or rental agreements.

A copy of your valid passport: You will need to provide a copy of your valid passport for all applicants.

Applicants born after Cyprus gained independence may be issued a consular birth certificate.