Is Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Still Available?

Cyprus citizenship by investment has been closed since 1 November 2020, under a Council of Ministers decision of 13 October 2020. Cyprus repealed the legal basis in December 2025, and the European Commission closed its infringement case on 11 March 2026. The nearest open route is Cyprus permanent residence, which does not lead directly to citizenship.

Law as at 9 October 2026. See our change log. · Last reviewed 9 Oct 2026 · Next review due 9 Jan 2027

ClosedThe Cyprus Investment Program has taken no new applications since 1 November 2020, and its legal basis was repealed in December 2025 (Law 224(I)/2025).

Key figures

Item	Figure	Source
Closure	Decided 13 October 2020; no new applications from 1 November 2020	Ministry of Finance
Investor naturalisation power deleted	Law 224(I)/2025, Official Gazette of 12 December 2025	Law 224(I)/2025, s 2
Revocations decided, 2021 to September 2025	360 people (101 investors, 259 dependants); completed for 112	Ministry of Interior, 12 Sep 2025
EU infringement case	Opened 20 October 2020; closed 11 March 2026	Commission database, INFR(2020)2300

How did it close?

The Council of Ministers decided on 13 October 2020, after press reports that year, to end the program from 1 November 2020. Pending applications were still processed: in June 2021 the Commission noted that Cyprus "continues processing pending applications" (INF/21/2743).

In December 2025, Law 224(I)/2025 deleted article 111A(2) of the Civil Registry Law, the power to naturalise investors and their families. The old rule now applies only if a court orders a fresh look at an application filed by 30 October 2020.

What happened to citizenships already granted?

The Ministry of Interior reported on 12 September 2025 that, since 2021, the government had decided to revoke the citizenship of 360 people: 101 investors and 259 dependants. For 112, the process was complete and their documents cancelled.

Since the 2025 law, a person told of a planned revocation has 60 days to go to the review committee, which advises the government, and each revocation order is published in the Official Gazette (s 3).

What did the EU do?

The Commission opened infringement case INFR(2020)2300 on 20 October 2020, arguing that selling citizenship breaches EU law (IP/20/1925). It sent a reasoned opinion on 9 June 2021 and closed the case on 11 March 2026. Cyprus's Law Office says the 2025 bill was drafted with the Commission.

The Court of Justice ruled on 29 April 2025, in Case C-181/23, that Malta, by operating its investor citizenship scheme, failed to fulfil its obligations under Article 20 TFEU and Article 4(3) TEU. That judgment concerns Malta, not Cyprus.

What to look at instead

Cyprus permanent residence. It needs a €300,000 investment and a secured income of at least €50,000 a year. It gives no Schengen travel rights. Naturalisation needs eight years' residence in all, plus Greek at B1 level.

FAQ

Can I still apply for Cyprus citizenship by investment?

Applications have been closed since 1 November 2020, and the legal basis was repealed in December 2025.

Has Cyprus revoked citizenships granted under the program?

By 12 September 2025, the government had decided to revoke 360 people's citizenship, and the process was complete for 112.

Did the EU court rule against Cyprus?

The April 2025 judgment concerned Malta. The Commission closed its Cyprus case on 11 March 2026 without referring it to the Court.

General information on the law as at 9 October 2026, not advice on your circumstances.

Primary sources

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