Attracting Top Talent: Essential Qualifications for Citizenship Applications
The Ministry of Interior has released the qualifications necessary for citizenship applications under the Population Registry (Amendment) Law of 2023. Key requirements include:
- Legal and continuous residency in Cyprus for 12 months preceding the application submission, with absences not exceeding 90 days.
- Cumulative legal residency of at least 7 years over the past 10 years.
- Good character, proficiency in Greek (typically at level B1), and knowledge of the country's political and social reality.
- Stable financial resources, suitable accommodation, and an intention to reside in Cyprus.
- Different criteria apply to individuals employed in specific industries, as determined by Ministerial Council decisions.
According to Article 111B(2), qualifications vary for individuals residing in the Republic for the purpose of employment of high expertise in companies, as determined by the Ministerial Council Decision with number 92.018 dated 15/10/2021, regarding the Strategy for Attracting Companies for Activation or/and Expansion of their Activities, as well as for their family members. This category includes:
- foreign interests businesses/companies operating in the Republic of Cyprus with independent offices in Cyprus, which are housed in suitable spaces, separate from any private residence or other office;
- Cypriot shipping companies;
- Cypriot high-tech/innovation companies (with products related to the aerospace and space industry, computers, information technology sector, technologies and communications, pharmaceutical products, biomedical equipment, research and development equipment, electrical machinery, chemical substances, non-electrical machinery);
- Cypriot pharmaceutical companies, or
- Cypriot companies operating in the fields of biogenetics and biotechnology and companies already registered in the Foreign Companies Registry of the Population and Migration Department.
It is added that the qualifications for individuals falling within the provisions of Article 111B (2), as well as for their family members, which must be cumulatively met, are:
- Legal residency for 12 months prior to application submission, with absences not exceeding 90 days.
- Cumulative legal residency of at least 4 or 3 years, depending on Greek language proficiency (A2 or B1), over the past 10 years.
- Good character, proficiency in Greek (at level A2 or B1), and knowledge of the country's political and social reality.
- Stable financial resources, suitable accommodation, and an intention to reside in Cyprus.
For more information regarding citizenship qualifications, the accompanying documents required to be submitted, as well as the application process, please reach out to your usual contact at FLANECON LIMITED.