If you want to obtain citizenship in Cyprus, you can always address our team of lawyers, who have the necessary qualification in this branch of law. Our attorneys can present the qualification requirements and can assist you during all citizenship application formalities.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Ways to acquire citizenship | A person can obtain citizenship in Cyprus through naturalization, marriage or by descent. |
Law on citizenship | Civil Registry Law. |
Fees charged for citizenship application | EUR 500 for standard application (citizenship by naturalization). |
| Minimum requirements for citizenship by naturalization | A person must have at least 7 years of stay in Cyprus. Out of these, 5 must be as a permanent resident. 1 year before the application, the person must stay in Cyprus on a continous basis. |
| Minimum requirements for citizenship by marriage | Minimum 3 years of marriage are required for an applicant who wants to obtain citizenship in Cyprus through marriage (out of which, 2 years of residency in Cyprus). |
| Requirements for citizenship by descent | The requirements vary based on the type of citizenship by descent a person is entitled to (there are 6 different ways to acquire it). |
| Fees charged for minor children citizenship application | EUR 80 |
| Duration of the citizenship process | Citizenship can be obtained in minimum 6 months and maximum 2 years since the application was made. |
| Application stamps fees | EUR 1,71 to EUR 8,54, depending on the type of stamp required for each citizenship application category. |
| Institution in charge with the review of the application | Civil Registry and Migration Department. |
| Dual citizenship allowed (yes/no) | Yes |
| Fees for the issuance of a passport | EUR 45 for minors (accelerated issuance EUR 90), EUR 70 for adults (accelerated issuance EUR 120). |
| Passport validity | 5 years for minors, 10 years for adults. |
| Difference between permanent residency and citizenship | A permanent resident can live indefinetely in Cyprus having the right to work, own a property, benefit from medical and social services, but he/she does not have the right to vote, occupy a governmental function or the right to a Cypriot passport (as it is the case of Cypriot nationals). For the latter, the person must obtain citizenship in Cyprus. |
| Authentication/translation of foreign documents required (yes/no) | Yes |
Table of Contents
What are the ways of obtaining citizenship in Cyprus?
A foreign national can obtain citizenship in Cyprus if the person qualifies as per the rules and regulations applicable for one of the types of citizenship recognized in this country. According to the law on immigration in Cyprus, there are 3 main types of citizenship. One can obtain citizenship in Cyprus through the following:
- naturalization;
- by marriage with a Cypriot national;
- by having Cypriot descendance.
How can one obtain citizenship in Cyprus through naturalization in 2026?
The rules on citizenship through naturalization are given by the Civil Registry Law. According to the Civil Registry and Migration Department, the basic requirements are the following:
- a foreigner can apply for naturalization after 7 years of legal stay in this country – this means that the foreigner must be the holder of a residence permit in Cyprus;
- before initiating the citizenship procedure, the applicant has to stay in Cyprus on a continuous basis for a period of 1 year;
- all applicants who meet the basic Cyprus permanent residencerequirements must pay a fee of EUR 500 for the citizenship application;
- an additional cost of EUR 8,54 must be paid for 2 stamps that must be affixed to the citizenship application;
- successful applicants will be required to pay an additional fee of EUR 500 for the issuance of the Cypriot citizenship certificate.
How can I acquire citizenship in Cyprus by getting married to a Cypriot national?
There are several matters that you must take into consideration if you want to acquire citizenship by marriage to a Cypriot national. Please mind that this right is granted to those who are legally married and to those who are in civil partnership (regulated under the Civil Partnership Law). In the list below, our immigration lawyer in Cyprus present the most important aspects:
- applicants must be married for at least 3 years at the moment when the application is made;
- they need to have reckonable residence in Cyprus, which, according to the rules for this type of citizenship means at least 6 months per year in the last 3 years, and the overall residence before the application must be of at least 2 years);
- it is also possible toapply for citizenship in Cyprusin the case in which the couple lives permanently overseas, but even in this case, they need to provide evidence of being married for at least 3 years.
We invite you to watch a short presentation on Cypriot citizenship:
How can a person acquire citizenship in Cyprus by descent?
Another way to acquire citizenship, as per the Cyprus immigration law, is if a person is a descendant of a Cypriot national. In this case, there are many situations, as presented in the list below:
- persons who have Cypriot descendance and who are born before 16 August 1960 (they must complete the form M124);
- persons born on 16 August 1960 or after (they must complete the form M123);
- persons who have Cypriot descent (but only by male parentage) who were born before 16 August 1960 and who are also the citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) and of the UK territories (for this, one must submit the Form M71);
- persons who are of Cypriot descent by male parentage born before 16 August 1960 who are not citizens of the UK or UK territories (form M72);
- persons born abroad and who are entitled to citizenship (they have a consular birth certificate) – they must complete the Form M121;
- persons born in Cyprus who are minor children and who are entitled to citizenship (Form M126).
When can a minor child benefit from citizenship registration in Cyprus?
The Cypriot legislation offers the possibility to register the citizenship of a minor child living in Cyprusin certain situations. The right to citizenship is available only if the parents have Cypriot citizenship and here, the following situations are required:
- the parents have become Cypriot nationals after the birth of the child;
- they have become citizens due to their Cypriot heritage, through one of the options presented above;
- or they have become citizens through Cyprus permanent residence.
Are there any legal novelties on acquiring citizenship?
Yes, candidates for citizenshipby naturalization must adhere, starting with December 2023 to the rules of the Amending Law 149(1)/2023, Article 111B, which include requirements of knowing the Greek language at a level of minimum B1 (writing, reading).
Are there any fees for other types of citizenship?
Yes, those who plan to apply for citizenship by marriage in 2026 will be asked to pay a processing fee of EUR 300, while those who apply for citizenship by descent benefit from very low fees, the lowest being EUR 20.
If you want to apply for Cypriot citizenship in 2026, we invite you to read our infographic, where you will find out the highlights of the procedure:
Is there a citizenship ceremony I must attend?
Yes. The final step of the citizenship process is to participate in a formal ceremony which requires the new citizen to take the Oath of Allegiance to Republic of Cyprus, during which the individual will receive the citizenship certificate.
When can I apply for a Cypriot passport?
The right to a Cypriot passport is granted solely to individuals who hold Cypriot citizenship. Therefore, you can apply for this document only after the citizenship formalities have been completed and you are fully recognized as a Cypriot citizen by the local institutions (the procedure is completed through the issuance of a certificate of citizenship).
Can I retain my first citizenship?
Yes. Those who want to become Cypriot nationalsare not required to renounce their first citizenship once they acquire the Cypriot one, as the local laws recognize the right to dual/multiple citizenship.
Is it possible to renounce Cypriot nationality?
Yes. Once you have acquired Cypriot citizenship, you have the right to renounce it, if certain conditions are met. One of the requirements is to have full legal capacity and to hold the citizenship of another country. Our lawyers can present the current procedures.
We invite you to contact usif you need further details regarding citizenship procedures.
