The Republic of Cyprus has recently made significant changes to its laws on naturalization by foreign nationals applying for citizenship through the number of years of residence. The newly revised regulations put forward higher requirements for the threshold for applying for citizenshipA series of additional criteria and requirements that applicants must meet have been added. These new regulations were officially published in the Official Gazette on 19 December 2023 and are immediately implemented.
Under the new provisions of the amended Civil Registration Act (Law No. 141(i) 2002).The new Article 111b specifies the criteria for foreign nationals to apply for naturalization as Cypriot citizens. Only adults with full mental capacity who meet the appropriate conditions are eligible to apply for naturalization.
Next, Xiaochen will take you to understand the new criteria for naturalization of Cypriot citizens:
New threshold for Cyprus citizenship
Residency requirements
Continuous Residence: The applicant is inWithin 12 months prior to the submission of the applicationMust be legally and continuously residing in CyprusThe total period of absence from the Republic during this period must not exceed 90 days;
Long-term residency history: The applicant must have been legally resident or working as a civil servant in Cyprus within the last 10 yearsThe cumulative period shall not be less than 7 years.
Character Requirements
Applicants are expected to possess good character, including but not limited to:
Be law-abiding and refrain from inappropriate behaviour or speech towards Cyprus;
Not involved in illegal administration Occupy an area not controlled by Cyprus and have no relevant duties or misconduct.
There was no wrongdoing in the war in Cyprus;
No serious criminal offencesand is not wanted by Europol or Interpol.
Not subject to the sanctions regime and not on the sanctions list;
No pending criminal cases;
Entered the country legally and without violating the entry regulations of Cyprus;
It does not pose a threat to public order and public safety.
Language skills
ApplicantsKnowledge of Greek at BI level is requiredand hold the corresponding certificates.
Political and social knowledge
ApplicantsA good understanding of the contemporary political and social realities in Cyprus is requiredAssessed by an evaluation committee composed of representatives from the three sectors.
Accommodation with financial stability
ApplicantsAdequate shelter and financial stability** are requiredto support the lives of individuals and their family members.
Willingness to live
ApplicantsA genuine intention to reside in Cyprus is requiredSuch as obtaining citizenship or a position in the civil service.
Other considerations
The length of stay for the purpose of naturalization is calculated in accordance with the immigration rules;
The length of residence of asylum seekers, international protection order holders or student permit holders is not taken into account when calculating the period of residence;
Applicants must meet all the conditions, otherwise the application will be rejected;
The law is in force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette and has retroactive effectPreviously submitted applications will also be reviewed according to the new criteria.
Obviously,Cyprus** has set higher standards for citizenship than ever before.
New opportunities for permanent residency in Cyprus
Announced by the Governor of Cyprus, Konstantinos Kombos, on Tuesday, November 21, 2023The inclusion of Cyprus in the Schengen Area and the Visa Waiver Program is a top priority for 2024. This means that if Cyprus successfully joins the Schengen Area,It will become the only country after Malta to have the four major identities of "Commonwealth Member", "European Union Member", "Eurozone" and "Schengen Area" at the same time.
This move will greatly enhance the attractiveness of Cyprus permanent residency. Holders of permanent residence in CyprusNot only will you benefit from free health care and British education, but you'll also have access to the 27 countries of the Schengen Area. This change will make Cyprus a more globally competitive destination, attracting more foreign investors and immigrants.
So, since the threshold for naturalization has been raised, why choose Cyprus?
Ideal for tax planning
Cyprus, known as:"Europe's Tax Haven",With its attractive tax policy, it is an ideal place for tax planning. Not only does it have one of the lowest tax rates in the EUOnly 125% corporate tax and double tax treaties with more than 60 countries. By immigrating to Cyprus, you will be able to enjoy all EU tax benefits, including dividends and dividends.
Excellence in the Healthcare System in Cyprus
In Cyprus, all residents have access to emergency medical evacuation services provided by public hospitalsTaxpayers can also enjoy free medical services in public hospitals. This comprehensive security system ensures that every resident has access to timely medical assistance when they need it.
Cyprus has a robust health care system, with an average of one general practitioner for every 480 people, which is much higher than the European average. Its medical standards are recognized by the World Health Organization as reaching the level of developed countries, and it provides patients with high-quality medical services. It is worth mentioningThe cost of health care in public hospitals, as well as the cost of individual health insurance, are relatively lowIt has reduced the financial burden on residents.
Cyprus** continues to invest heavily in the continuous improvement of the quality and efficiency of its healthcare system. Recently, there are plans to invest another 2 in the healthcare system in the next few years500 million euros. The Cyprus National Health Service (OKYPY) has pledged to use the funds mainly to strengthen the National Health Service, GESY (Free Medical Care Project). It is expected that from 2022 to 2024, 100 million euros of this will be spent on the renewal of medical equipment, while another 1500 million euros will be spent on infrastructure improvementsto further improve the quality and coverage of medical services.
Strong economic strength and strategic position
Cyprus, located at the intersection of three continents, Asia, Europe and Africa, occupies the core position of the MediterraneanIt shows an unrivaled geographical advantage. Its unique geographical location makes it possible to cover all European countries within a four-hour flight from CyprusIt also provides easy access to Asia and Africa. For high-net-worth individualsSuch a geographical location not only saves a lot of time and energy on business travel, but also provides great convenience for tourism activities.
As a member of the Commonwealth and the European Union, Cyprus not only enjoys solid economic support, but also a solid guarantee from the European Union at the diplomatic and security levels. its open, free market environment, as wellA service-oriented economic modelIt has injected a strong impetus into the country's economic growth. At the same time, the well-developed ports, shipping and tourism industries make Cyprus' economic strength among European countries not negligible.
Advantages of the Cyprus Home Buying Immigration Program
1.Cyprus is a common law jurisdiction;
There are no language and exam requirements;
3.The acquired property is:freehold;
No inheritance tax, no property tax;
VAT reduced to 5% for first-time purchases of a home unit;
6.Strategically located at the intersection of three continents: Africa, Asia and Europe;
7.Enjoy the beaches, pleasant climate and tourist attractions of Cyprus;
Lowest crime rate in Europe;
9.high standards of educational institutions and medical facilities;
10.State-of-the-art infrastructure and modern airports connect all major destinations.
For nowYou only need to invest 300,000 euros in real estate to obtain high gold content of Cyprus permanent residency statusArguably the best time to obtain Cypriot status at a low costOnce the Schengen system is accessed, the investment threshold will inevitably be raisedAt that time, 300,000 euros to obtain permanent residence in Cyprus will also become history. Therefore,If you want to apply for Cypriot status now, you should plan as soon as possible!