Cyprus: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-11
Path to citizenship
Ordinary Cypriot naturalisation comes after 8 years of legal residence (7 years plus the last 12 months continuous) within 10–11 years, with Greek at and an integration test. Highly skilled employees of foreign-interest companies (salary from €2,500 and a degree) qualify after 4 years with B1 Greek or 5 with A2, decided within 8 months. Spouses of citizens qualify after 3 years of marriage under a separate procedure. Dual citizenship is allowed. «Citizenship by investment» has been abolished. Whether Ukrainians' temporary-protection time counts we could not find — the graph does not count it. Ordinary applications have no set deadline — reviews say 1–3 years.
- • 8 years (7 plus the last continuous year), Greek and a test
- • highly skilled employees — 4 years with Greek (5 with A2)
- • spouses of citizens — after 3 years of marriage
Citizenship application processing, years: 1–3.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| Limassol | €2,050 | €4,820 |
| Nicosia | €1,490 | €3,710 |
| Larnaca | €1,520 | €3,590 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety81
- Earning potential81
- Healthcare85
- Path to citizenship43
- Schools and education71
- Environment56
- Warm, sunny climate83
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in Cyprus, and how long does it take?
8 years (7 plus the last continuous year), B1 Greek and a test; highly skilled employees — 4 years with B1 Greek (5 with A2); spouses of citizens — after 3 years of marriage. Processing takes 1–3 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in Cyprus?
The main routes we cover: Residence in Cyprus (work, business, family); Residence as a highly skilled employee of a foreign-interest company; Spouse of a Cypriot citizen. The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
How much does it cost to live in Cyprus per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: Limassol ≈ €2,050 / €4,820; Nicosia ≈ €1,490 / €3,710; Larnaca ≈ €1,520 / €3,590. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026.
How much is rent in Cyprus?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: Limassol €1,150–€1,600; Nicosia €650–€875; Larnaca €675–€875.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 11.2026; budget as of 11.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
Sources
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.