Looks like requirements have changed since October 2021 or are about to change if passed
Acquisition of Cyprus Citizenship by
Naturalisation
The Council of Ministers approved on October 15th 2021, the “Strategy for Attracting Businesses for Activities or/and Expansion of their Activities in Cyprus”.
This package of legislative initiatives also includes provisions to speed up the process of acquiring
Cypriot citizenship by naturalisation (based on years of residency in Cyprus).
Thus, the following initiatives have been proposed:
Right to apply for the Cyprus Citizenship by naturalisation after 5 years of residence and work in the Republic, instead of 7 that is valid
today.
A further reduction to 4 years if the criterion ofholding a recognized certificate of very good
knowledge of the Greek language is met.
The bill has been sent to Parliament. It will come into force after it is approved by the deputies.
Current legislation
Foreign nationals, who have completed seven (7) years of legal residence in Cyprus (2555 days of
staying in Cyprus) are eligible to apply for citizenship. In cases of foreign nationals who are either parents or children of Cypriot citizens, the
time required is five (5) years instead of seven (7).
In both cases, the applicant must have resided legally and continuously in Cyprus during the twelve (12) months prior to the date of theapplication.
The same 5 years period requirement applies to holders of the permanent residency status or successful applicants of the Cyprus residency by
investment program.
How to Apply?
The applicant needs to prepare a full list of entries and departures from Cyprus (based on passport stamps) which should confirm the above required days of stay. Each family member has to file a separate application and pay the required fee
(EUR 500 per application)
Required documents:
• Birth certificate of the applicant;
• Certificate of clean criminal record of the applicant;
• Marriage certificate/Certificate of divorce (if applicable);
• Copies of all the pages of all the passports of the applicant showing his/her arrivals and departures in Cyprus;
• Detailed statement of arrivals and departures completed by the applicant;
• Copies of newspaper advertisements in two consecutive publications which report that the applicant has filed an application for naturalization;
• Two passport size photographs;
• Photocopy of receipt for the amount of 500 euros paid as fees (per application). type M127
