The Republic of Cyprus Citizenship Law, 1967, which became effective on 28 July 1967, is the primary law that defines nationality in the country. Cyprus is one of these islands, and all the regulations on Cyprus include the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus. Which is an unrecognised region, and which is legally recognised by Turkey only as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Cyprus belongs to the countries of European Union (EU), and all Cypriot nationals are EU citizens. Individuals born in Cyprus and at least one of whose parents is a Cypriot citizen are granted citizenship by birth on the condition that neither of the parents is considered an irregular migrant. Cyprus does not offer citizenship to children born on the island itself. When a foreign national has resided in Cyprus (the residence period is typically seven years), he or she may obtain naturalisation.
How to acquire
The acquisition of Cypriot citizenship by a foreigner in 2025 may be performed in three legal ways:
- Naturalisation.
- Cypriot marriage.
- Cypriot origins.
The fourth option is to get a passport consisted of the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Program, which was abolished on November 1, 2020. Those investors who are willing to become citizens of Cyprus have to adhere to the residency by investment program. According to which the investor has to buy property in Cyprus and live on the island as permanent residents for eight years.
Very talented employees of foreign firms are eligible to become citizens after 4 or 5 years of staying in the country, on condition that they have passed the Greek language examination. Level A2 (use Greek in simple contexts and have limited communication skills) entitles a person to apply after five years of legal residence. After four years, the right to apply is given after level B2 (use of Greek and coping with daily communications).
Cyprus’ Golden visa Program is also referred to as the new citizenship statutes of highly skilled persons operating in the sphere of research and innovation.
Cyprus naturalisation citizenship
Cyprus citizenship by naturalisation is the process through which citizenship is obtained after several years of being in the country, good morals and Greek language skills. The normal track usually takes 7 years of legal residence in Cyprus in the last 10 years and a continuous residence of 12 months just before the application is made.
Since 19 December 2023, naturalisation criteria have been revised in terms of years
Cyprus marriage citizenship
Cyprus marriage citizenship gives foreigners who are married to Cypriot citizens a chance to acquire citizenship within 3 years of marriage. Another condition is the period of previous residency, which is 2 years in case the couple is living in Cyprus. Married couples who are living abroad can apply to be citizens after 3 years of marriage.
In case the couple lives in a foreign country, they should be able to give a reason as to why they need the Cypriot citizenship. Nevertheless, when the couple has a length of marriage of no less than five years and at least one child, the above explanation is not needed.
The Marriage Route to Cypriot citizenship is governed by Civil Registry Law 141(I)/2002.
Required documents
An applicant must be able to provide the following documents to have the right to apply to become a citizen because of marriage:
- Application form M125.
- Original copy of the clean criminal record of the applicant.
- An authentic marriage certificate.
- The birth certificates, passports, or ID cards of the children of the couple can be copied.
- A copy of the passport or the ID card of the applicant.
- A duplicate of the passport or identity card of the Cypriot spouse.
- Certificate of acquisition of the Cypriot citizenship of the Cypriot spouse (in case of its existence).
- The declaration of harmonious living is signed in the presence of an Officer of the District Administration Office or the diplomatic authority.
- Local authority cohabitation statement.
- The application must be made in duplicate, and one of the two forms of application must have stamps of 8.54 Euros on it.
- Receipt(s) of the payments of fees.
Cyprus citizenship by descent
There are ways in which Cyprus citizenship by descent can be acquired, depending on the applicant’s date of birth, age, i.e. whether underage or an adult and parentage, i.e. which parent is Cypriot. The applicable date of birth is August 16, 1960, which saw Cyprus attain independence from the United Kingdom. Depending on the case, there is an application form, the documents to be filed and the fee paid.
You can also view these:
Cost of living in Cyprus
Immigration to Cyprus from India
Cyprus immigration quotas and caps – what you need to know
