A practical overview of the investment, income, family and ongoing requirements for obtaining permanent residence in Cyprus under Regulation 6(2).
Cyprus permanent residency by investment allows eligible third-country nationals to apply for an Immigration Permit under Regulation 6(2) through a qualifying investment of at least €300,000. Applicants must also satisfy income, documentation and other eligibility requirements.
The programme has undergone important changes, including revised ongoing monitoring requirements and further clarifications issued by the Cyprus Migration Department in 2026. Applicants should understand the current investment criteria, family eligibility rules and obligations before applying.
How much do you need to invest?
The minimum qualifying investment is €300,000.
An applicant can choose one of four investment routes:
- New residential property: A house or apartment purchased from a development company as a first sale, with a value of at least €300,000 plus VAT.
- Other real estate: Offices, shops, hotels or similar developments with a total value of at least €300,000. Resale property can qualify under this category.
- Cyprus company: An investment of at least €300,000 in the share capital of a Cyprus company that has a physical presence in Cyprus and employs at least five people.
- Cyprus investment fund: An investment of at least €300,000 in qualifying units of a Cyprus AIF, AIFLNP or RAIF.
The qualifying investment must generally be maintained after permanent residence is granted. Disposal of the investment without an immediate qualifying replacement can lead to cancellation of the permit. Government of Cyprus
Applicants purchasing property should also consider the legal checks involved in the acquisition itself. Our guide to conveyancing in Cyprus explains the main steps, including title searches, sale agreements and Land Registry procedures.
Minimum annual income requirements
In addition to the investment, the main applicant must demonstrate secure annual income of at least €50,000.
The required amount increases by:
- €15,000 for a spouse
- €10,000 for each dependent minor child
You can also include your spouse’s income when calculating the required amount. Government of Cyprus
For an investment in a new house or apartment under category A, the income must come from abroad. For investments under categories B, C or D, all or part of the qualifying income may also come from activities within Cyprus. The Migration Department has clarified that income can be supported by a tax return from the applicant’s country of tax residence or by official certification from an independent Certified Accountant. Government of Cyprus
Where must the investment funds come from?
Applicants must show that the qualifying investment funds have been transferred to Cyprus from abroad.
The payment must also be properly connected to the relevant investment. For real estate transactions, documentary evidence such as bank transfers, payment receipts and supporting banking records forms an important part of the application. Government of Cyprus
This makes the financial preparation of the application important. Document the source and movement of funds before submission rather than reconstructing them later.
Which family members can be included?
The Immigration Permit can cover the applicant’s spouse and children under 18.
Unmarried children between 18 and 25 who are studying at a higher education institution abroad and remain financially dependent on the applicant may submit separate applications under the scheme. An additional annual income of €10,000 must be shown for each qualifying dependent student. Government of Cyprus
Adult children who are not financially dependent may also qualify through a higher-value investment. In this case, the €300,000 investment requirement increases according to the number of adult children relying on the investment.
For example, an applicant seeking to include one independent adult child would generally need to invest €600,000. Each adult child must also satisfy the applicable income criteria. Government of Cyprus
Other conditions applicants must meet
The applicant and spouse must provide clean criminal record certificates from their country of origin and, where different, their country of residence.
The applicant and dependent family members must also have health insurance covering inpatient and outpatient treatment, subject to the rules applicable to persons benefiting from GESY.
Applicants and their spouses must generally confirm that they do not intend to take employment in Cyprus. An exception applies to employment as a director of the company in which the investment is made under the relevant investment category. Government of Cyprus
Michael Chambers & Co. LLC assists individuals and families with residence applications through our Immigration Law services, including applications under Regulation 6(2). Michael Chambers & Co. LLC
What changed with the ongoing monitoring requirements?
The ongoing monitoring requirements for Cyprus permanent residency by investment have been revised. Permit holders no longer need to submit annual evidence of the minimum income requirement, but they must provide clean criminal record certificates every three years. Permit holders must still provide annual evidence of continued investment and applicable health insurance coverage.
This is one of the most important updates to the original version of this article.
The 2023 criteria initially required permit holders to provide annual evidence confirming:
- continuation of the investment;
- the required annual income;
- valid health insurance, where GESY did not cover them; and
- annual clean criminal record certificates.
The Migration Department later relaxed part of this monitoring framework. Permit holders are no longer required to provide annual evidence that they continue to meet the minimum income requirement. Clean criminal record certificates for the applicant and adult family members are now required every three years rather than every year.
However, applicants must still provide annual evidence that the qualifying investment is being maintained and evidence of health insurance where GESY does not cover the applicant or family members.
Important Update: Previous criteria can no longer be used
A further change took effect on 3 March 2026.
The Migration Department terminated the transitional arrangement that allowed certain applicants to submit applications under the older 2021 Third Revision criteria.
All new Regulation 6(2) applications are now assessed under the criteria in force at the time of submission, regardless of when the property sale agreement was deposited with the Department of Lands and Surveys.
This is particularly important for investors who purchased property several years ago but have not yet submitted their permanent residence application.
Clarification for dependent students in 2026
The Migration Department issued a further clarification on 19 March 2026 concerning dependent students.
Applications for dependent students are now assessed under the current Fourth Revision criteria, including cases where the parent originally obtained permanent residence under an earlier version of the scheme. For parents whose permits were granted under earlier criteria, you may need to provide additional evidence, including the relevant property sale agreement, proof of payment, and proof that the investment funds were transferred from abroad.
How long does Cyprus permanent residence last?
For the main applicant and adult dependants, the right of residence is of unlimited duration.
The physical residence card is issued for ten years and must be replaced when it expires. For minor dependants, the card remains valid until the age of 18. Government of Cyprus
Applicants living outside Cyprus must acquire residence in Cyprus within one year after approval. The permanent residence right may also cease if the holder acquires permanent residence abroad or remains outside Cyprus for two years.
Preparing a Cyprus permanent residency by investment application
The investment itself is only one part of a Regulation 6(2) application. Applicants should also consider the source of funds, income evidence, family structure, property documentation, insurance and the ongoing conditions attached to the permit.
Where the investment involves property, complete legal due diligence before purchase. Our Real Estate and Property Law team assists international buyers with property due diligence, sale agreements, Land Registry procedures and related approvals.
How our lawyers can assist
Michael Chambers & Co. LLC can assist with the legal review of the investment and the preparation and submission of a permanent residence application under Regulation 6(2). For applicants considering Cyprus permanent residency by investment, always check the current criteria before the investment or application is finalised, as the Migration Department may issue further procedural updates.
To discuss your eligibility for Cyprus permanent residency under Regulation 6(2) and receive tailored legal guidance on your investment and application, contact Michael Chambers & Co. LLC today to arrange a consultation.
