Cyprus
Last Updated: 2026-03-31
Official Portal: Ministry of Interior — Civil Registry and Migration Department
Embassy Finder: Cyprus Diplomatic Missions
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency for naturalization | 7 years of lawful residence in the 10 years preceding the application (including 1 year continuous immediately before) |
| Language requirement | Adequate knowledge of Greek (no formal CEFR level specified; assessed during interview) |
| Civics test | No formal written test; general knowledge of Cypriot society assessed during interview |
| Processing time | 12—24 months (can be longer due to security checks) |
| Naturalization fee | EUR 500 |
| Dual citizenship | Fully permitted since 2002 |
| Citizenship by birth in Cyprus | Limited jus soli — only to prevent statelessness or for children of unknown parents |
| Citizenship by descent | Yes (jus sanguinis) — automatic if the father was Cypriot at time of birth (extended to mothers since 1999) |
| Governing law | Civil Registry Law (Cap. 141), as amended — also known as the Population Data Archives Law |
Dual Citizenship
Cyprus fully permits dual and multiple citizenship.
- Since the 2002 amendment, Cypriot citizens who acquire a foreign nationality do not lose their Cypriot citizenship.
- Foreign nationals who naturalize as Cypriot are not required to renounce their prior nationality.
- Prior to 2002, voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality could result in loss of Cypriot citizenship. This is no longer the case.
EU membership context: As an EU member state since 2004, Cypriot citizenship confers full EU freedom of movement — the right to live, work, and study in all 27 EU member states plus EEA countries and Switzerland.
Note on territory: The Republic of Cyprus exercises effective control only over the southern portion of the island. The northern portion is administered by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (recognized only by Turkey). Cypriot citizenship law applies to the entire island in principle, and Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike may hold Republic of Cyprus nationality.
Acquisition of Nationality
By Birth (Jus Soli)
Cyprus does not apply a general jus soli principle. Birth on Cypriot territory alone does not confer citizenship.
Exceptions:
- A child born in Cyprus who would otherwise be stateless may acquire Cypriot citizenship.
- Foundlings discovered on Cypriot territory are deemed Cypriot citizens until another nationality is established.
By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
Cypriot citizenship is primarily acquired by descent:
Current rules (post-1999 amendment):
- A child acquires Cypriot citizenship at birth if either the father or the mother is a Cypriot citizen at the time of birth, regardless of where the child is born.
Historical rules (pre-1999):
- Before the 1999 amendment, citizenship was transmitted only through the father (for children born in wedlock) or the mother (for children born out of wedlock).
- Persons born before 1999 to a Cypriot mother and non-Cypriot father who were married may apply for registration as a Cypriot citizen. This is treated as a right, not discretionary.
Children born abroad: Citizenship is acquired automatically by descent. Registration at a Cypriot consulate is necessary for documentation purposes but does not affect the legal acquisition of citizenship.
No generational limit: Cypriot law does not impose a generational cutoff for descent-based citizenship, provided the chain of Cypriot nationality has not been broken.
By Adoption
A child adopted by a Cypriot citizen acquires Cypriot citizenship upon the adoption becoming effective under Cypriot law, provided:
- The child is a minor at the time of the adoption.
- The adoption is recognized under Cypriot law.
- Adults adopted by Cypriot citizens do not acquire citizenship through adoption.
By Marriage
Marriage to a Cypriot citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. However, the foreign spouse may apply for naturalization under a facilitated procedure:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Residence | 3 years of lawful residence in Cyprus immediately preceding the application (if the couple resides in Cyprus) |
| Marriage duration | At least 3 years of marriage |
| Language | Adequate knowledge of Greek (assessed at interview) |
| Good character | No serious criminal convictions |
| Intent to reside | Declared intention to continue residing in Cyprus |
| Renunciation | Not required — dual citizenship permitted |
Spouses residing abroad: If the couple resides outside Cyprus, the foreign spouse may apply after 3 years of marriage, but the Council of Ministers retains discretion over the grant.
By Naturalization (Residency)
Standard pathway (Section 111 of the Civil Registry Law):
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Lawful residence | 7 years in the 10 years preceding the application, including the 12 months immediately before the application (continuous) |
| Language | Adequate knowledge of Greek |
| Good character | No serious criminal convictions; good moral character |
| Intent to reside | Declared intention to continue residing in Cyprus |
| Financial self-sufficiency | Ability to support oneself and dependents |
| Renunciation | Not required — dual citizenship permitted |
| Fee | EUR 500 |
Discretionary grant: All naturalization in Cyprus is ultimately at the discretion of the Council of Ministers. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee approval. The Minister of Interior reviews applications and makes recommendations.
Former investment pathway (abolished): Cyprus previously operated a Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) offering citizenship to investors who made a minimum EUR 2 million investment. The programme was terminated on 1 November 2020 following corruption scandals and pressure from the European Commission. All pending applications were voided.
Loss and Renunciation
Voluntary Renunciation
A Cypriot citizen may renounce citizenship by making a declaration to the Ministry of Interior, provided:
- They hold another nationality or have been assured one.
- Renunciation will not render them stateless.
- They are of full legal capacity (18 years or older).
Renunciation is effective upon registration by the Civil Registry.
Involuntary Loss
| Ground | Details |
|---|---|
| Acquisition by fraud | Citizenship obtained through false representation, fraud, or concealment may be revoked by order of the Council of Ministers. |
| Disloyalty or disaffection | A naturalized citizen who has shown disloyalty or disaffection toward the Republic may be deprived of citizenship (Section 113). This does not apply to citizens by birth or descent. |
| Residence abroad | A naturalized citizen who resides outside Cyprus for 7 consecutive years without maintaining a connection to Cyprus (registration at consulate, periodic visits) may be at risk of deprivation. In practice, this is rarely enforced. |
Important: Voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality does not result in loss of Cypriot citizenship (since 2002).
Restoration of Nationality
Former Cypriot citizens who lost their citizenship (by renunciation or deprivation) may apply to the Council of Ministers for restoration:
- The application is made to the Ministry of Interior.
- There is no formal minimum residence requirement, but the Council considers the applicant’s ties to Cyprus.
- Dual citizenship is permitted upon restoration.
- Processing times vary; 12—18 months is typical.
Persons of Cypriot origin: Individuals who can demonstrate Cypriot parentage or ancestry but never formally held Cypriot citizenship (e.g., due to the pre-1999 patrilineal rule) may apply for registration under the descent provisions.
Stateless Persons and Foundlings
- Foundlings discovered on Cypriot territory are deemed Cypriot citizens until another nationality is established.
- Stateless children born in Cyprus may be granted Cypriot citizenship to prevent statelessness.
- Cyprus is a party to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
Document Checklist
Application form (M71 or equivalent, obtained from the Civil Registry and Migration Department)
Valid passport and Cyprus residence permit
Birth certificate (apostilled + certified Greek or English translation)
Marriage certificate (if applying via spousal pathway)
Criminal record certificate from country of origin (apostilled + translated)
Criminal record certificate from Cyprus (if resident)
Proof of lawful residence in Cyprus (residence permit copies, Alien Registration Certificate)
Proof of income or financial support (employment contract, bank statements, tax returns)
Proof of Greek language ability (assessed at interview; certificate from Greek language school helpful)
Proof of Cypriot descent (for descent-based applications: parents’ birth certificates, citizenship documents)
Biometric passport photos
Application fee receipt (EUR 500)
Sources
-
Civil Registry Law (Cap. 141) — as amended, governing Cypriot citizenship. Available via CyLaw: http://www.cylaw.org/
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Ministry of Interior — Civil Registry and Migration Department. http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/crmd/crmd.nsf/index_en/index_en
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Diplomatic Missions. https://www.mfa.gov.cy/missions-abroad
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European Commission — Report on Investor Citizenship Schemes (2020). https://ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/eu-citizenship/eu-citizenship-policy_en
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UNHCR — Cyprus country page. https://www.unhcr.org/cy/