Citizenship by descent in Cyprus can be granted to persons who have Cypriot origins. In order to be able to apply for citizenship through this legal option, all foreigners are required to provide documents that can prove the existence of a family tie with a Cypriot national, this being a basic requirement. If you need legal advice on the procedure, we invite you to address our Cyprus immigration lawyers.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| When can a person apply for citizenship by descent | Citizenship by descent in Cyprus can be acquired by persons who are of Cypriot descent (they have at least 1 parent of Cypriot nationality). |
Forms available for citizenship by descent | Form M71, M72, M121, M123, M124, M126. |
Application fee | EUR 20 – EUR 80, depending on the type of citizenship by descent. |
| Categories of citizenship by descent | Citizenship by descent in Cyprus can be acquired in the following cases: – persons born before 16 August 1960 from Cypriot male parents who are citizens of the UK and its colonies; – persons born before 16 August 1960 from Cypriot male parents who are not citizens of the UK and its colonies; – persons who are born outside Cyprus; – persons born after the date of 16 August 1960;persons of Cypriot origin, born before 16 August 1960, who have spend at least 1 year as residents in Cyprus; – the registration of minors born on the Cypriot territory. |
| Institution in charge with the application process | Civil Registry and Migration Department |
| Documents required for the application | – the birth certificate of the applicant; – the marriage certificate of the applicant’s parents; – a copy of the applicant’s passport; – a copy of the parents’ passport; – the certificate of registration of the Cypriot parent (if applicable); – registration fees, etc |
| Dual citizenship allowed (yes/no) | Yes |
| Law regulating citizenship by descent | The Civil Registry Law |
| How can an application be submitted | The procedure for citizenship by descent in Cyprus is initiated at the offices of the Civil Registry and Migration Department. It can also be initiated at the District Administration and District Office. |
| Certification/authentication required (yes/no) | Yes |
| Documents to be issued after citizenship is granted | Identity card and passport. |
| Costs of an identity card/passport | – identity card (EUR 20 for minors, EUR 30 for adults); – passport (EUR 45 for minors, EUR 70 for adults). |
| Validity of identity cards/passports | 5 years for minors (both documents) and 10 years for adults (both documents). |
| Passport accelerated issuance procedure (yes/no) | Yes |
| Law governing the issuance of identity cards/passports | Civil Registry Law. |
Table of Contents
How can you assist me in acquiring citizenship by descent in Cyprus?
With the help of our immigration lawyers in Cyprus, you can:
- receive information on the citizenship legislation;
- be informed on the types of citizenship by descent available here;
- receive legal advice on the pathway you qualify for;
- obtain information on the documentation that is required for thecitizenship application;
- receive legal representation in the application formalities;
- obtain up-to-date information on any news provided by the authorities.
What are the main categories of applicants?
The manner in which this legal procedure can be completed varies based on the age of the applicant. Thus, the Cyprus immigration law distinguishes between minor applicants (with an age below 18 years old), and adult applicants, who have an age above 18 years old.
What are the main ways through which I can aquire Cypriot citizenship by descent?
Currently, there are 6 ways of acquiring Cypriot citizenship by descent, which can be initiated through the application forms presented in the list below:
- registration of a minor child, who is the child of a Cypriot citizen (Form M126);
- persons who qualify for Cypriot citizenship by descent who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies or of any Commonwealth country (Form M124);
- persons who were born on 16 August, 1960 or after that date (Form M123);
- persons who were born abroad who qualify for a consular birth certificate (Form M121);
- persons who qualify for Form M71, who are of Cypriot origin by male parentage, born before 16 August, 1960 who are citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) or any of its colonies;
- persons who can apply for Form M72, who qualify for the same parental rule and birth date as mentioned at point 5, but who are not citizens of the UK or any of its colonies.
What are the processing fees for citizenship by descent in Cyprus?
Please mind that if you want to apply for citizenship by descent you will be asked to pay processing fees, which are charged by the state officials. The current fees vary based on the type of registration you qualify for. In the list below, our immigration lawyer in Cypruspresent the fee system:
- applications made through Form M123 costs EUR 50 per person;
- for applicants who qualify under the Form M121, Form M71, Form M72, the fee is EUR 20;
- those who want to apply for citizenship by descent in Cyprus through the form M124 or Form M126 must pay a processing fee of EUR 80.
We invite to you to watch a short video on how to obtain Cypriot citizenship by descent:
How many application copies are necessary?
It depends on the type of citizenship you apply for. For instance, individuals who apply through the Forms M123 and M124 need to complete two application copies, while the others need only one set of documents.
Do I have any residency obligations in order to start the citizenship application?
In general, no, it is not necessary to have a habitual place ofresidence in Cyprus as a prerequisite of the citizenship application. However, this requirement will apply in the case of those who request citizenship rights through the Form M124. In their case, at least 12 months of residency in Cyprus is necessary prior to initiating the application.
Those who want to acquire Cypriot citizenship by descent in 2026 are invited to read our infographic below, which presents basic information on eligibility, legislation and other necessary data:
What documents must I prepare for the application?
TheCypriot authoritieswill ask for a large set of documents that will attest the person’s connection to Cyprus. The list of documents can vary based on the citizenship you qualify for, but in the list below our lawyers present some of the documents that can generally be required:
- the identity document of the applicant and his/her birth certificate;
- a copy of the marriage certificate of the parents;
- the parent’s identification documents;
- documentation that proves the parents (or a parent) had Cypriot nationality at the moment when the applicant was born;
- proof of paying the processing fee.
When can I obtain a Cypriot passport?
Regardless of the manner in which an individual acquired Cypriot citizenshipin 2026, the law states that such persons have the right to apply for a Cypriot passport. Thus, once an individual has obtained citizenship, he or she can immediately apply for this travel document.
Please contact our lawyers for legal representation on the procedure for citizenship by descent in 2026.
