Cyprus Citizenship expected changes

Last activity 06 November 2022 by Toon

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ToonCyprus Expert18 July 2022 14:40:28

9838

Looks like requirements have changed since October 2021 or are about to change if passed

Acquisition of Cyprus Citizenship by

Naturalisation

The Council of Ministers approved on October 15th 2021, the “Strategy for Attracting Businesses for Activities or/and Expansion of their Activities in Cyprus”.

This package of legislative initiatives also includes provisions to speed up the process of acquiring

Cypriot citizenship by naturalisation (based on years of residency in Cyprus).

Thus, the following initiatives have been proposed:

Right to apply for the Cyprus Citizenship by naturalisation after 5 years of residence and work in the Republic, instead of 7 that is valid

today.

A further reduction to 4 years if the criterion ofholding a recognized certificate of very good

knowledge of the Greek language is met.

The bill has been sent to Parliament. It will come into force after it is approved by the deputies.

Current legislation

Foreign nationals, who have completed seven (7) years of legal residence in Cyprus (2555 days of

staying in Cyprus) are eligible to apply for citizenship. In cases of foreign nationals who are either parents or children of Cypriot citizens, the

time required is five (5) years instead of seven (7).

In both cases, the applicant must have resided legally and continuously in Cyprus during the twelve (12) months prior to the date of theapplication.

The same 5 years period requirement applies to holders of the permanent residency status or successful applicants of the Cyprus residency by

investment program.

How to Apply?

The applicant needs to prepare a full list of entries and departures from Cyprus (based on passport stamps) which should confirm the above required days of stay. Each family member has to file a separate application and pay the required fee

(EUR 500 per application)

Required documents:

• Birth certificate of the applicant;

• Certificate of clean criminal record of the applicant;

• Marriage certificate/Certificate of divorce (if applicable);

• Copies of all the pages of all the passports of the applicant showing his/her arrivals and departures in Cyprus;

• Detailed statement of arrivals and departures completed by the applicant;

• Copies of newspaper advertisements in two consecutive publications which report that the applicant has filed an application for naturalization;

• Two passport size photographs;

• Photocopy of receipt for the amount of 500 euros paid as fees (per application). type M127

BhavnaTeam21 July 2022 15:15:18

39966

Thank you for this precious information, Toon!

BJ WindsorMember08 August 2022 02:07:54

It seems additional criteria for this reduced-years category to be met - to be on Cyprus payroll and have minimum gross salary of 2500 eur/month. So are general rules for the rest remain the same?

ToonCyprus Expert08 August 2022 04:39:21

9838

@BJ Windsor not heard of those or any other changes as yet... Do you have a source

BJ WindsorMember09 August 2022 04:43:26

@Toon

https://www.mondaq.com/cyprus/corporate … n-business

ToonCyprus Expert09 August 2022 04:49:50

9838

Please send by pm as it's under link review

ToonCyprus Expert22 August 2022 13:31:09

9838

@BJ Windsor very interesting thank you

BJ WindsorMember31 October 2022 23:36:27

@Toon

Сould you please clarify on this part: "The same 5 years period requirement applies to holders of the permanent residency status"

Does it practically mean MEU3 or MUKW3 holders who got their status after 5 years of residence can immediately submit naturalization application?

ToonCyprus Expert01 November 2022 02:29:34

9838

Yes... Or 4 years if you speak greek .... However it can still take a good few years to actually get it ... There are no guarantees

TrythrowMember06 November 2022 07:45:22

#10

Is a greek knowledge A2 level certificate sufficient?

ToonCyprus Expert06 November 2022 08:43:59

#11

9838

I would think any greek language level is better than none at all...Best to email the dept to be sure

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