EU Citizenship by Investment – EU Passports by Investment

During the past decade, the European Union has become an increasingly popular destination for foreign investors seeking a second passport. Consequently, there are now a number of options available, to obtain EU citizenship through investment.

From Austria to Romania, various nations offer a variety of “golden visa” and “passport by investment” programmes. But while all of these guarantee the right to live and work within all 28 27 EU member states, the various investment programmes were by no means created equally.

Not only do investment levels and qualification criteria vary from one programme to the next, but there are vast differences in the potential for ROI and the time-to-citizenship, between the different schemes.

Nor do all EU member states offer outright citizenship to investors. Indeed, most nations offer what are known as “golden visas,” that amount to residency permits which can eventually lead to citizenship being granted, usually after a five year period of residence.

What sets Cyprus apart from the EU’s other citizenship by investment programmes?

Fastest Time-to-Citizenship of any EU Country
With a processing time of just six to nine months from application to citizenship, no other European Union member state has a faster investor programme of this kind.
Programme is an Investment, rather than a Cost
Unlike some other countries, which expect “donations” into their coffers in return for a passport, Cyprus’ investment programme allows you cash-out the bulk of your invested funds after a period of five years.

Further, the Republic of Cyprus boasts higher medium and long-term investment potentials than most other European Union countries.
No Mandatory Physical Presence needed for Citizenship
Many other European countries expect investors to permanently reside within their borders for a certain number of months per year, in order to obtain citizenship. The Republic features no such laws or regulations, leaving participants in the Cyprus Investment Programme free to come and go as they please.
8th most Powerful Passport in the World
With a “Power Rank” of 8, Cyprus’ passport entitles holders to visa-free and visa-on-entry travel, to 166 countries, including all 28 27 EU member states, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Citizenship by Investment Procedures and Time Frame

Since its introduction in 2016, the Republic’s investment programme has grown to be one of Europe’s most sought after citizenship by investment schemes, largely due to the relative simplicity of its process, compared to other EU jurisdictions.

Procedure:

Cyprus’ path to citizenship consists of a number of sequential steps which need to be followed under the guidance of an authorised legal professional.

These include:

You identify suitable investments, with the help of Aphrodite Sun Properties and its legal representatives.
You complete the purchase by signing the contract of sale and paying the investment amount[s] in full, using funds originating outside the Republic of Cyprus
You compile and provide our legal team with the necessary supporting documents for your application.

Including:
1. Criminal Records Background Check
2. Birth Certificate[s]
3. Marriage Certificate[s]
With our assistance, you apply for a Schengen Visa
Once investments have been made and proof of purchase has been furbished, an appointment is made with the Ministry of the Interior, for submission of your Citizenship by Investment application.
During this appointment, an application for both citizenship and residency is made on behalf of you, along with your spouse and children, if applicable.
Residency cards are issued within three to five days.
Following a waiting period of six to nine months, citizenship is approved.
Our legal team handles the issuance of naturalisation certificates for you and any other individuals within your application.
You visit Cyprus to swear the oath of citizenship. Passport[s] are issued the same day.

Time Frame

As you can see above, the time frame from the time you complete your purchase runs at approximately six to nine months.

Please note that there is no expedited or “fast-track” path to citizenship. However, given the Cyprus investment programme’s exclusive nature, limited to just seven hundred spots per year, it’s reasonable to anticipate a time-to-completion closer to six than nine months.

Find out more about other benefits of holding an Passport through the Republic of Cyprus.