Chipre
Naturalization of Investors by Exception Scheme
The Scheme was set up in 2013, and quickly became one of the most prestigious Citizenship by Investment programs in the world due to Cyprus' low tax rates, high quality of life, EU membership and the visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 173 nations enjoyed by its passport holders.
The scheme has undergone numerous amendments, the most recent being confirmed by the Council of Ministers in February 2019, and which took effect on 15 May 2019.
These include a series of new mandatory donations, additional due diligence measures and an increase in screening conditions, which the government has introduced in order to diversify the impact of the invested capital throughout the economy.
There are four options for investment that investors can choose from as part of the Naturalization Scheme. These are:
A) Purchase or Construction of Real Estate
B) Start or Participate in a Business operating in Cyprus
C) Investment in alternative funds or financial assets of Cyprus
D) Combined Investment in Real Estate, Business and Financial Instruments
Whatever option is chosen, applicants will need to make a minimum combined investment of at least €2,000,000.
Furthermore, all applicants will need to make a purchase of a property to be declared their permanent and primary residence in Cyprus, of a value of at least €500,000. This property can be included as part of an applicant's investment using the Real Estate (A) or Combined Investment (D) options.
inversión
Purchase or Establishment or Participation in Cypriot Companies or Businesses
- €2,000,000 in the purchase, creation or participation in businesses or companies based and operating in Cyprus. These businesses or companies must have a tangible presence in Cyprus, significant activity and turnover, and employ at least five Cypriot citizens or European citizens (legally and continuously resided in Cyprus during the five years preceding the application submission date).- A mandatory donation of €75,000 to the Foundation for Research and Innovation, which can be waived if the rest of the investment is directed to a business that has been designated as "Innovative" by the Ministry of Finance.
- A second mandatory donation of €75,000 to the Cyprus Land Development Corporation, to contribute to the government's affordable housing projects and its implementation of other housing plans / measures.
Using the Participation in a Business Investment option also opens the possibility of waving the 1st mandatory non-refundable donation to the Foundation for Research and Innovation, if:
A) The applicant chooses to invest in an innovative business (which has acquired a relevant certificate by the ministry of finance) or in a certified social company (πιστοποιημένη κοινωνική εταιρεία).
B) The mandatory donation can also be waived if at least 20% (€400,000) is invested in a company operating in the primary sector of the economy or in the secondary sector of the economy, or in one of the fields of research and technology, education, health, and renewable energy.
The investment must be made during the three years preceding the date of the application and must retain the said investments for a period of at least five years as from the date of the naturalization.
Investments can be made personally or through a company, of which the applicant participates as a shareholder, in proportion to his or her holding percentage, or of which the applicant is a high-ranking senior manager that generates for the country tax revenues of €100,000 over a three-year period and tax has been paid or pre-paid. Investments can also be made jointly with a spouse.
Residence Purchase
To be considered for citizenship, you must also own a permanent privately-owned residence in Cyprus, the purchase price of which must be at least €500.000, plus V.A.T.
Members of the same family, who apply separately as investors can collectively acquire a residence, provided that the total value of this home-property covers the amount of €500,000 per each applicant. If the purchased property value exceeds the amount of €500,000, this additional amount can be used for purposes of supplementing the total amount of the qualifying investments explained above.
Residence Permit
Prior to your naturalization as a Cypriot citizen, you must hold a residence permit in Cyprus for at least 6 months. If you do not hold a residence permit, you may apply for an immigration permit based on Regulation 6 (2) of the Aliens and Immigration Law, simultaneously with the application for naturalization. If the naturalization is rejected, the immigration permit will be canceled immediately.
Dependents
A spouse may apply for citizenship simultaneously for no additional amount.
Minor children may apply after the investor has acquired the citizenship.
Adult children (students up to the age of 28 that are attending an institution of higher education or children with severe physical or mental disability) may apply after the investor has acquired the citizenship.
Parents may apply for citizenship after the investor has acquired the citizenship, provided that they own a permanent privately-owned residence in the country, the purchase price of which must be at least €500.000, plus V.A.T.
Investors and parents may collectively purchase a residence, provided that the total value of the property is at least €1,000,000 plus V.A.T.
Requisitos
For individual applicants
- Residence Permit (explained above).
- Residence Purchase (explained above).
- Schengen Visa
- Not to be included in the list of persons whose assets, within the boundaries of the European Union, have been frozen as the result of sanctions.
- Good health
- Clean criminal record
- Not to be likely to cause disrepute to Cyprus.
- Not to have been denied a visa to a country where Cyprus has visa-free access.
- Not to have been denied citizenship in any other Member State of The European Union.
- Not to be a potential national security threat.
- Possess real estate, land development and infrastructure projects' Contract of Sale.
- Title Deeds or Proof of Registration of the contract with the Lands and Surveys Department.
- Proof of payment of the agreed purchase price.
- Copy of the wire transfer to a Cypriot commercial banking institution in the name of the seller or the seller’s company.
- An evaluation certificate from an independent registered land surveyor, if required by the Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Finance.
- Two concurrently-running daily ads in a local newspaper stating intention to apply for citizenship.
Documents regarding investment through a company (if applicable)
- Certificate of Registration of the company/companies by the Registrar of Companies.
- Certificate of shareholders by the Registrar of Companies or certificates evidencing that the applicant is the beneficiary owner of the company/ companies.
- Audited accounts of the company (or companies) for the last three years preceding the year of the application.
- If the applicant is a high-ranking senior manager, the submission of the employment contract and the receipt from the Department of Inland Revenue are additionally required.
Nacionalidades restringidas
No hay ninguna nacionalidad oficialmente restringida.
doble nacionalidad
Cyprus reconoce la doble nacionalidad. Si tu país de origen lo permite, podrás conservar tu nacionalidad anterior.
Documentación requerida
- Contrato de venta de la propiedad inmobiliaria
- Título de propiedad o prueba de registro de bienes raíces
- Justificante de pago de la compra de bienes raíces
- Copia del comprobante de transferencia bancaria de la compra de bienes raíces
- Certificado de evaluación de un agrimensor
- Certificado de antecedentes penales original
- Original o Copia certificada del certificado de Nacimiento (si procede)
- Copia certificada del pasaporte
- Original o Copia certificada del certificado de Matrimonio
- Copias de anuncios en un periódico diario de dos publicaciones consecutivas
- Dos fotografías tamaño pasaporte
- Curriculum Vitae
- Certificado del registrador de empresas (si procede)
- Certificado de accionistas por el Registrador de Sociedades (si procede)
- Cuentas auditadas de la compañía (3 años) (si procede)
- Contrato de empleo (si procede)
- Certificado médico
- Certificado de autenticidad
- Declaración de procedencia de los fondos
- Comprobante de pago de las tasas de procesamiento y diligencia debida no reembolsables
- Justificación de pago de la adquisición de la empresa
- Copia certificada de la Licencia Comercial o documentos de incorporación
- Copia de la transferencia bancaria para la adquisición de la empresa
- Plan de inversiones
- Contratos de empleo de ciudadanos chipriotas
- Confirmación del Seguro Social en relación con los empleados
- doble nacionalidad Sí
- Familiares incluidos Sí
- propiedad de la tierra Sí
- Residencia física requerida No
- Visita personal requerida Sí
- Conocimientos lingüísticos requeridos No
- Entrevista requerida No
- Inversión solicitante único €2,000,000
- Inversión família de 4 €2,000,000
- Ingresos anuales mínimos -
- Plazo para la ciudadanía 6
- Plazo para el permiso de residencia permanente 1
- Países exentos de visa 178
- Financiación disponible No
Beneficios
beneficios de la ciudadanía
El país
Its official languages are Greek and Turkish, although English is widely spoken too. Since 2008, its official currency is the Euro (EUR).
Cyprus boasts a high standard of living, plenty of good quality schools and universities, low crime rates, low taxes and exceptional weather all year round, making it a prime choice for families, business people and retirees.
Exención de visas
Fiscalidad
Cyprus has one of the most attractive onshore tax regimes in the EU, and is considered a prime location for business relocation.
Becoming a Cypriot citizen does not make you liable to any kind of taxes. To be a Cypriot tax resident you must spend more than 183 days a year in the country.
Tax residents in Cyprus are subject to personal income tax on their worldwide income. Rates are progressive up to 35% for annual income in excess of €60,000. Capital gains, other than those relating to Cyprus-located immovable property, are tax-exempt. Rental income is subject to tax at standard rates, although 20% of the gross rental income for rental of buildings is tax exempt.
Dividend and interest income are not subject to personal income tax, although individuals both residents and domiciled in Cyprus for tax purposes are subject to the Special Defence Contribution (SDC), which taxes dividends at a flat rate of 17% and interest at 30%. SDC also taxes rental income at an effective 2.25% tax rate.
Profits from disposals of shares, bonds, debentures, founders’ shares, and other titles of companies or other legal persons incorporated in Cyprus or abroad and options thereon, are unconditionally exempt from income tax.
Capital Gains accrued by individuals on the disposal of immovable property are subject to a capital gains tax of 20%. A minimum exempted applies to capital gains from the disposal of private residence, agricultural land by a farmer, gifts between spouses, children and third degree relatives, family companies, gifts to charities, exchange of properties, among others. Capital Gains from the disposal of shares in companies that own Cyprus-situated immovable property, when at least 50% of market value of the shares derives from immovable property, are subject to capital gains tax.
The standard VAT rate in Cyprus is 19%. Reduced rates of 9% and 5% apply to certain goods and services.
There are no net wealth, inheritance and estate duties in Cyprus. There is a stamp duty on all documents related to property.
On corporate taxation, Cyprus has one of the lowest tax rates in the European Union. Resident companies are taxed on their worldwide income at a corporate tax rate of 12.5%.
Dividends received are usually not subject to taxation. Capital Gains derived from the sales of shares are tax-exempt, those from immovable property may be taxed at a 20% rate.
In addition, under the intellectual property (IP) regime, 80% of the net profit for the exploitation of intellectual property may be tax-exempt.
As of April 5, 2019, the Cypriot House of Representatives adopted a new implementing the provisions of the European Union (EU) Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD). This introduces new rules on Controlled Foreign Corporations (CFCs), limits on the deductibility of exceeding borrowing costs and interest limitation rules that were previously absent.
There are no withholding taxes in Cyprus on payments on dividends and interests.
Due to this favorable tax regime, Cyprus is the gateway to the European common market chosen by many non-EU companies and a portal for investment from the West into Russia, Middle-east, Asia and South America. Learn more about Cyprus' corporate taxation, legal framework and tax treaties at incorporations.io/Cyprus.
This should not be construed as tax advice. We have access to a global network of qualified attorneys and accountants who can give you the proper advice for your particular circumstances. Contact us for further information.
- Impuesto sobre los bienes inmuebles No
- Impuesto sobre las transferencias Sí
- Impuesto de sucesiones No
- Impuesto sobre el patrimonio No
- Sociedades extranjeras controladas No
- Residencia fiscal (días por año) 183
- Tipo impositivo del impuesto sobre la renta 35%
- Impuesto sobre las plusvalías 20%
- Impuesto sobre las rentas del capital 0%
- Tributación territorial No