The Business Facilitation Unit route in 2026

The Business Facilitation Unit registers companies of foreign interests; since May 2025 it has been part of the Business Support Centre of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry. The Migration Department issues the residence and employment permits for their staff from outside the EU. It is the route most founders from outside the EU use to move to Cyprus with a company.

As published in October 2026, a company of foreign interests qualifies when:

• An initial investment of at least €200,000 is made within the six months before the application, as a deposit in the company's bank account or as the purchase of office premises or equipment. The Business Support Centre applies this in every case.
• The company has an office lease of at least 12 months, in premises separate from any home.
• Each highly paid employee from outside the EU earns a gross salary of at least €2,500 a month, has a degree or two years' relevant experience and a two-year contract. Staff already on €2,000 or more may renew on that basis until 31 December 2026.

Residence and employment permits under the route are issued for up to three years and are renewable, and there is no cap on their number. The company's commitment on the ratio between local and foreign staff is checked from 2 January 2027. [to confirm the exact ratio test] Since 1 July 2026, applications are made only through CY Login.

The investment is evidenced by bank statements or purchase documents; the office by the lease; the salaries by employment contracts and, after the first months, payroll records.

Permits are per person and per application. The founder, if employed by the company, applies like any other non-EU employee. Directors and key personnel can bring their spouse and minor children through family reunification, in the same file. Whether a spouse may work depends on the permit they receive. [to confirm]

1. Incorporate the company (our partner advocate) and complete the registrations (us).
2. Make the investment from the owner's foreign account and take the office lease.
3. Register the company with the unit as a company of foreign interest.
4. Apply for the residence and employment permits, and the family permits, with biometrics taken in Cyprus.
5. Register each employee with Social Insurance before the start date.

We prepare and submit each step, book the appointments and keep the permit renewal dates in your calendar.

Not every move needs the investment. Someone who works remotely for employers or clients outside Cyprus can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa, which has an income requirement of €3,500 a month net and needs no Cyprus company. People living on their own income can apply for a visitor permit. EU citizens register their residence directly. We tell you which route fits in the first call, before any price is agreed.