For those who retire to Cyprus, a long-term visa will be needed if their nationality requires such a document. However, when relocating here, considering that it will be on a long-term basis, one should also apply for a residence permit. You can find out extensive information on these matters from our Cyprus immigration lawyers.
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How can your team help me retire to Cyprus in 2026?
Our immigration lawyer in Cyprus can assist foreigners in the following ways:
- provide information on the visa/permit options that allow retirement in this country;
- our team will present the conditions that must be met and the immigration formalities to be initiated;
- our lawyers will also prepare the application file and address local authorities;
- we provide ongoing assistance and offer updates on your application file;
- you can alsorely on our immigration lawyer in Cyprus for assistance in renting/purchasing a property (it is highly recommended to receive legal assistance in this sense);
- we can provide legal support on any other matter (relocation with family members, register with the local/municipal authorities, etc.).
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa for retirement to Cyprus | Visa F (Category F residence permit) |
| Types of rights granted by the retirement visa | The right to temporary residence which can be transformed into permanent residence after 5 years of stay in the country. One can also purchase properties here. |
Documents necessary for the visa application | • evidence on having minimum EUR 9,568 per year; • personal identification documents; • a completed application form (M.67); • the proof of paying the processing fee. |
| Active income allowed (yes/no) | No |
| Types of passive income allowed by the retirement visa | • income from renting properties; |
| Health insurance required (yes/no) | Yes, in order to retire to Cyprus, one must have health insurance. |
| Proof of address in Cyprus (yes/no) | Yes |
| The minimum age for retirement in Cyprus | 65 years (63 in certain conditions) |
| The value of pension in Cyprus | min EUR 400 |
| Minimum financial funds required per one year of stay in Cyprus for foreign retirees | One can retire to Cyprus with a minimum of EUR 9,568. |
| Additional financial requirements for retiring with the spouse (yes/no) | Yes |
| The minimum income required per year to retire with the spouse | Additional EUR 4,613 |
| The minimum price of renting a property in Cyprus | The lowest prices are found in Famagusta, of EUR 400 per month. |
| The minimum price of buying a property in Cyprus | Approximately EUR 50,000 |
| Legal services offered to foreign retirees | Our lawyers can help foreigners retire to Cyprus by presenting the application laws and procedures, preparing the application file, obtaining the necessary documents, etc. |
| Legal obligations upon the arrival in Cyprus | Persons who will retire to Cyprus must register with the District Aliens and Immigration Unit. |
Validity of the visa | Unlimited validity (the residency card expires after 10 years, and it must be renewed). |
Renewal of the visa (yes/no) | No |
| Validity of the renewal | The visa does not have to be renewed. |
| Quota per year | Not specified |
| Obligations for foreigners renting a property | In order to retire to Cyprus, one must have a valid rental contract for a property in Cyprus. |
| Obligations for residency in Cyprus for visa holders | Visa holders can’t live outside of Cyprus for a continous period of more than 2 years, otherwise the visa will be revoked. |
| Where to initiate the visa application process | Individuals who want to retire to Cyprus have to initiate the procedure with the Migration Department. |
| How to apply for a residence permit | By submitting the required supporting documents, such as the passport, proof of income obtained outside Cyprus, a valid health insurance recognized in Cyprus, a rental agreement, the clean criminal report. |
| Institution that will issue the residence permit | The Migration Department |
| When can the visa holder apply for permanent residency? | After 5 years |
| Right to apply for citizenship (yes/no) | Yes |
| Residency requirements for citizenship application | After minimum 7 years of residency plus 1 year of uninterrupted stay prior to the application (an absence of only 90 days is permitted within the year before the application). |
| Dual citizenship allowed (yes/no) | Yes |
| Fee for the issuance of an Cypriot passport | EUR 70 |
Does Cyprus have a retirement visa?
No, the Cyprus immigration law does not specifically regulate a retirement visa, but there are visa options that can be used for this purpose.
When is it required to apply for a residence permit in Cyprus?
A foreigner should apply for a residence permit in Cyprus if the duration of the stay is of at least 90 days. This requirement is applicable to all foreigners, regardless if they need a visa when arriving here or not.
How can a foreigner obtain a residence permit in Cyprus in 2026?
Persons who want to retire to Cyprus must present the following:
- proof of accommodation in Cyprus (for both those who have purchased a property here and for those who rented a house in this country);
- proof that the applicant has sufficient financial means to live in this country;
- a medical certificate showing that the person does not have diseases such as hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis or syphilis;
- a certificate of police clearance, issued by the police authorities in the country where the person is a resident;
- any other documents that can be necessary referring to the purpose of stay in this country;
- in the case in which the applicant will be relocating to Cyprus with relatives, supporting documents showing the relation between the applicant and the relatives have to be added to the file (for a spouse, the marriage certificate, for children, their birth certificates).
What is the most suitable permit for retirement to Cyprus?
In the case of persons who want to retire to Cyprus, they will need to obtain a Category F residence permit, which refers to a type of permit available for those who want to live here and who are not employed in a local company.
Are there any minimum financial requirements in 2026?
Please mind that the law imposes a minimum income requirement, and an additional one if the applicant has a dependent person (requirement of minimum EUR 4,613). The minimum amount required for one year of living in Cyprus is of EUR 9,568 for a single person relocating here.
We invite you to read our infographic on how to retire to Cyprus in 2026:
Who can be a dependent person?
Under the Category F permit, which states that foreign applicants can submit their visa application by including dependents on the application, applicants can include persons as dependents only as long as they are children below 18 years old or the applicant’s spouse.
Do I need to pay a fee for the processing of my application made in 2026?
You should also know that the application for a residence permit in Cyprus is bound by the payment of a fee, which in this case is of EUR 500. For those who relocate to Cyprus with their close family members, who are included on the application form, the law requires them to pay a fee of EUR 50 per each applicant.
Are there any requirements for official documents issued abroad?
The documents must be accompanied by an official translation that is made in Greek or in English. If the country where the applicant is a national is a member of Hague Convention, then the documents must be accompanied by the apostille.
Where should I start my immigration formalities?
The Cyprus immigration procedure for this type of residence permit starts at the Civil Registry and Migration Department, where the applicant will submit the form M.67.
How long does it take to have my application processed?
The Cypriot immigration authorities can process the Category F Permit in a period of around 18 months.
Do I need to be a retiree to apply for the Category F Permit?
No. This immigration document can be obtained by any person who wants to relocate long-term in Cyprus and who does not plan to work in this country and, at the same time, has the necessary financial means to live here (the financial resources must be obtained from activities carried out outside Cyprus).
Below, you can watch a short video presenting how to retire to Cyprus:
How can I cash in my overseas pension?
If you are a retired individual and you contributed to the pension system in a different country, but you want to retire to Cyprus, please mind that you can access your pension by opening a bank account in Cyprus. Certain foreign nationals, such as the Britons, can transfer their pension into Cyprus. EU citizens can will be paid their pension in the state where they currently live.
Can I obtain my overseas social benefits as a third party national?
It depends on the nationality you have. Cyprus has signed social security agreements with a few third party countries, which allows the nationals of those countries, who live in Cyprus, to obtain their benefits from their home country in Cyprus. In the list below, our immigration lawyer in Cypruspresents some of the countries that have agreed to this system:
- the UK;
- Greece;
- Australia;
- Australia;
- Serbia;
- Egypt;
- Canada, etc.
Where can I retire to Cyprus?
There are numerous destinations that are suitable for those wishing to retire to Cyprus. Foreigners generally prefer cities such as Limassol, Larnaca or Nicosia when moving to Cyprus, as they provide more opportunities and an attractive lifestyle.
You can contact our lawyers for legal representation in the case in which you want to retire to Cyprus, and you need advice on the steps related to this process.
