Permanent Residence in Cyprus
2 documented routes of this kind in Cyprus, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Category F Immigration Permit (Passive Income)
A permanent residence permit for non-EU/EEA nationals who have a secured annual income from abroad of at least EUR 9,568 (plus EUR 4,613 per dependent), allowing them to live in Cyprus without working. Income must originate from outside Cyprus and may include pensions, dividends, interest, or rental income. Applied for via Form M.67 at the Migration Department.
- Processing time
- No statutory cap. Significant backlog reported; processing times are estimated at several years in practice as of 2025–2026.
- Validity
- Permanent (immigration permit, not subject to annual renewal).
- Language requirement
- None specified.
- Permanent residence
- The Category F permit is itself a permanent residence authorisation.
- Citizenship
- Holders who also accumulate the required years of lawful residence (7 years standard, or 3–4 years fast-track if qualifying as highly skilled) may apply for naturalisation via Form M127.
Requirements
- Non-EU/EEA nationality (EU/EEA nationals have separate permanent residence rights)
- Secured annual income of at least EUR 9,568 from abroad, plus EUR 4,613 for each dependent
- Income must originate outside Cyprus (not earned from employment or business in Cyprus)
- Must not engage in any employment, business, or profession in Cyprus
- Clean criminal record
- Suitable accommodation in Cyprus
- Application submitted via Form M.67
Required Documents
- Completed Form M.67 (main applicant) required
- Completed Form M.69 (for each dependent)
- Valid passport for all applicants required
- Proof of secured annual income from abroad (bank statements, dividend certificates, pension statements, lease agreements) required
- Proof of accommodation in Cyprus (title deed or rental contract) required
- Clean criminal record certificate from country of origin and country of current/prior residence required
- Recent passport-sized photographs required
- Marriage certificate and birth certificates for dependents
Official fees
- Application fee (Category F immigration permit) 500 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Prepare documentation
Gather all required documents proving your secured annual income from abroad, accommodation in Cyprus, clean criminal record, and valid passport. Income documentation should clearly show the source and amount.
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2
Complete Form M.67
Complete the official application Form M.67 (available from the Migration Department). Dependents require separate Form M.69 submissions.
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3
Submit application
Submit the completed application with all supporting documents and fee payment at the Migration Department (Civil Registry and Migration Department, CRMD) headquarters.
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4
Await processing
Applications are processed by the Migration Department. Due to significant backlogs, processing currently takes several years. Respond promptly to any requests for updated documents.
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5
Receive permit
Upon approval, receive the Category F immigration permit card, which constitutes a permanent residence authorisation.
Official Sources
Long-Term Resident Status
Third-country nationals who have resided legally and continuously in Cyprus for 5 years may apply for long-term resident status under EU Directive 2003/109/EC. The status is permanent and grants near-equal rights to Cypriot nationals, including access to employment, education, and social benefits. The application fee is EUR 30.
- Processing time
- Not officially specified. Standard residence permit processing timelines apply (typically a few months).
- Validity
- Permanent status; the residence card is issued for 5 years and renewed thereafter.
- Language requirement
- None specified, though integration conditions (basic Greek language or civic knowledge) may be required under national law.
- Permanent residence
- Long-term resident status is itself a permanent residence authorisation, granted after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
- Citizenship
- Long-term residents may apply for naturalisation after fulfilling the overall residence and other requirements under Form M127 (standard route: 7 years cumulative within 10 years).
Requirements
- Non-EU/EEA nationality
- 5 years of continuous legal residence in Cyprus immediately before the application
- Absences within the 5-year period must be less than 6 consecutive months and no more than 10 months in total
- Valid residence permit at time of application
- Stable and regular resources sufficient to maintain oneself without recourse to social assistance
- Health insurance
- No threat to public policy or public security
Required Documents
- Completed application form for long-term resident status required
- Valid passport required
- Current and all previous Cyprus residence permits (to document 5-year period) required
- Proof of stable income/financial resources required
- Health insurance required
- Clean criminal record certificate required
- Recent passport-sized photographs required
- EUR 30 application fee payment receipt required
Official fees
- Long-term resident status application fee 30 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Confirm eligibility
Verify that you have resided legally and continuously in Cyprus for 5 years, with absences not exceeding 6 consecutive months or 10 months in total during that period.
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2
Gather documentation
Collect all previous and current residence permits, proof of financial resources, health insurance, criminal record certificate, and passport.
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3
Submit application
Submit the completed application for long-term resident status at the Migration Department, paying the EUR 30 fee.
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4
Provide biometric data
Attend in person to provide biometric data (fingerprints, photo, and signature) for the residence permit card.
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5
Receive long-term resident card
Upon approval, receive the long-term resident status and the associated residence permit card (valid for 5 years, renewable).