Obtaining Cypriot Citizenship Could Take Up to 16 Years

The immigration situation in Cyprus remains one of the most pressing issues in domestic politics. On one hand, the country is experiencing significant delays in processing citizenship applications, and previously granted passports are being regularly revoked. On the other hand, active steps are being taken to address asylum applications and the return of migrants to their countries of origin.

Challenges with Naturalization

According to the State Audit Office, from 2020 to July 2023, 22,740 citizenship applications were approved, while 2,650 were rejected. The peak of naturalization occurred in 2022, with 7,071 approvals, and in the first seven months of 2023, the number already reached 6,109. As of November 7, 2023, there were still 11,891 pending applications, some dating back to 2007.

The majority of applications (57%) were based on long-term residency, while 19% were linked to marriage. An audit revealed multiple irregularities in the application process, including instances where the Civil Registry Department waived the mandatory requirement of continuous 12-month residency before application. There was even a case where an EU national was granted citizenship after residing in Cyprus for only eight days in 2016 and another eight days in 2018, despite the existing requirement of a minimum three-year stay.

The report also noted that as of July 31, 2023, 23,646 applications were pending for entry permits, and 37,782 applications for residence permits for domestic workers and laborers remained unprocessed, with waiting times often exceeding five years. The average processing time for citizenship applications stands at 37.7 months, though in some cases, the process can take up to 16 years. These prolonged delays contribute to an increase in the number of third-country nationals living and working illegally.

Revocation of Investor Citizenship

Another issue raising concerns about the reliability of Cypriot citizenship for foreigners is the revocation of passports. At the end of 2024, Cypriot authorities annulled 77 "golden passports" issued under the Citizenship by Investment Program. Among those who lost their Cypriot citizenship were Russian businessmen Oleg Deripaska, Alexey Kuzmichev, and Mikhail Gutseriev, as well as Ukrainian entrepreneurs Ihor Kolomoisky, Oleg Bakhmatyuk, and Konstantin Grigorishin.

The revocations were attributed to violations of naturalization conditions, criminal convictions, or the submission of false information in applications. The program, which ran from 2013 to 2020, generated over €7 billion in investment by granting citizenship in exchange for substantial financial contributions to the Cypriot economy.

However, in 2020, an Al Jazeera investigative report exposed widespread money laundering and corruption within the program. As a result, Cyprus officially shut it down on November 1, 2020, and has since been reviewing previously issued passports, regularly announcing new revocations. Since 2013, a total of 286 citizenships have been annulled.

Cyprus Increases Migrant Returns

Cyprus has achieved the highest migrant return rate in the EU, at 179%. Meanwhile, asylum applications dropped by 69% between 2022 and 2024, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

In 2022, the number of asylum applications reached a record 21,565, but requests from African nationals declined by over 85%. Officials reported that since the current administration took office, 18,055 third-country nationals have left Cyprus.

"For the first time in Cyprus' migration history, more people are leaving than arriving," stated Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou. The government's strategy focuses on four key areas: reducing arrivals, accelerating asylum processing, improving infrastructure, and increasing return rates. Officials noted that asylum application processing times have been reduced from 12–24 months to just 1–3 months.

A voluntary return program offering €1,000–1,500 in incentives helped 8,213 migrants leave Cyprus in 2024—almost double the 4,636 who left in 2022. Additionally, 2,517 migrants were resettled in other EU countries. Authorities also successfully halted the influx of Syrian migrants arriving by sea, as their applications are no longer being considered, bringing the number of such arrivals to zero since May 2024.

Despite these measures, the Ministry of the Interior acknowledges that the regional situation remains unstable due to international factors. Cyprus plans to expand its deportation capabilities by constructing a 1,000-person pre-departure center for migrants awaiting return.

How to Obtain Cypriot Citizenship in 2025

To obtain Cypriot citizenship through naturalization, an applicant must legally reside in Cyprus for at least 8 out of the previous 11 years before applying. Additionally, they must not leave the island for more than 90 days in the year prior to submission.

Highly skilled employees of Cypriot companies with foreign capital can apply for citizenship after 5 years of residence (if they have A2-level Greek) or after 4 years (if they have B1-level Greek). They must also earn at least €2,500 per month.

Those born in Cyprus or abroad after August 16, 1960, with at least one Cypriot parent, are eligible for citizenship. Foreign nationals married to Cypriot citizens can apply after three years of marriage, provided they have lived in Cyprus for at least two years before applying.

While citizenship by investment is no longer available, investors can still qualify for permanent residency by purchasing real estate worth at least €300,000 or investing in Cypriot companies, provided they create at least five jobs.