The Cyprus Permanent Residency Program (Category 6.2) remains one of the most reliable and prestigious routes to EU legalization for non-EU citizens. In 2026, Cyprus legislation focused on attracting high-quality investments by offering foreign property owners a permanent residence permit that requires no renewal and grants lifelong residency on the island. Understanding the program’s modern criteria allows investors not only to obtain residency but also to secure a “backup plan” for their entire family.
Contents
- 1 Financial requirements and minimum investment threshold
- 2 Requirements for the property: primary market only
- 3 Annual income and financial independence of the applicant
- 4 Which family members can obtain permanent residence along with the investor?
- 5 Restrictions and rights of permanent residence permit holders
- 6 Registration procedure and deadlines in 2026
Financial requirements and minimum investment threshold
To participate in the program in 2026, an investor must purchase residential or commercial property for a total value of at least €300,000 plus VAT. It is important to note that these funds must be transferred to Cyprus exclusively from a personal account held abroad by the investor or their spouse. The 2026 regulations prohibit the use of cash or internal transfers between Cypriot accounts to pay for investment property. To apply, a minimum payment of €200,000 of the total cost is sufficient, even if the property is off-plan.
Requirements for the property: primary market only
One of the key requirements for obtaining permanent residency is the purchase of new real estate directly from the developer. The secondary market is closed for this visa category, except for cases where the investor is purchasing commercial real estate (offices, shops, hotels). In 2026, it will be permitted to combine up to two properties to reach a total value of €300,000: for example, an apartment and a small office space, or two apartments in the same residential complex. The main requirement is that both properties must be purchased from the same developer.
Annual income and financial independence of the applicant
In addition to investing in residential property, applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient annual income from sources outside Cyprus. In 2026, the minimum threshold is €50,000 for the main applicant. This amount increases by €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 for each minor child. Dividends, remote work wages, rental income from real estate (outside Cyprus), or interest on deposits are accepted as proof of income.
Which family members can obtain permanent residence along with the investor?
The Cyprus residency by investment program is family-based. Resident status is granted to the following individuals, along with the main investor:
- Spouse.
- Minors under 18 years of age.
- Financially dependent children under 25 years of age, provided they are unmarried and enrolled in higher education. A significant change in 2026 was the tightening of controls to ensure that these conditions are met: the investor is required to annually confirm income and property ownership, as well as the absence of criminal records for all adult family members.
Restrictions and rights of permanent residence permit holders
Permanent residency in Cyprus grants the right to reside freely on the island and conduct business (subject to owning shares in a Cypriot company), but it does come with certain restrictions. Holders of Category 6.2 permanent residency are not permitted to work for local companies. On the other hand, this status does not require permanent residence on the island: visiting Cyprus only once every two years is sufficient to maintain the status. This makes the program ideal for those planning a future relocation or wishing to maintain tax residency in another country.
Registration procedure and deadlines in 2026
Thanks to the migration service’s transition to electronic document management, the processing time for permanent residence applications in 2026 averages 4 to 7 months. After approval, the investor and their family members must visit Cyprus within a year to submit biometric data and receive their residence permit cards (PR Cards). This status is permanent, and after 8 years of actual residence on the island (or 4 to 5 years under the new rules for highly qualified specialists), PR holders can apply for Cypriot citizenship through naturalization.
