News, 24 September 2026
Cyprus plans to tighten its golden visa before it joins the Schengen area, and is checking whether holders of about 12,000 permits issued since 2013 still meet the conditions. Deputy Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides told the House audit committee on 24 September that Cyprus needs investment, but “in a controlled manner”, and that he had already sent tightening proposals to the relevant ministers, per the Cyprus Mail. About 1,500 of the permits were issued in the past two years. The headline number is loose: per IMI Daily, an April parliamentary report counted 7,088 valid golden visas, while a 2025 finance ministry letter counted 12,189 approved applications.
No draft law or start date has been published. What is under study, per the Cyprus Mail, is where the money goes: whether golden visa money could also go to education, defence and innovation, alongside the existing routes. IMI Daily adds that tiered thresholds along Greek lines and tougher due diligence and annual reporting are on the table. Treat all of this as proposals, not rules.
The current scheme, under Regulation 6(2), still asks for €300,000 (excluding VAT) in new residential property, commercial property, shares in a Cypriot company or a Cypriot fund, plus secured income of €50,000 a year (€15,000 more for a spouse, €10,000 per child), per law firm Chrysostomides. Those criteria have applied since 2 May 2023.
Separately, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou told MPs on 3 September that the government will fold several party bills into an updated law on property purchases by non-EU nationals. Per the Cyprus Mail, that would bar purchases near the ceasefire line and near harbours, airports and other critical infrastructure, restrict agricultural land and limit plot and house sizes, with details still being finalised. Whether golden visa buyers will be exempt hasn’t been said.
Schengen: the European Commission has found Cyprus technically ready, per EU Perspectives (July 2026). The decision now lies with the Council, and the Cyprus Mail notes all current Schengen members must agree. No accession date has been set. Update, 13 October: Deputy Minister Ioannides now says Cyprus expects to join in full during 2027, and how the EU’s Entry/Exit System would work at the Green Line crossings is still unresolved (Cyprus now expects to join Schengen in 2027, a year later than planned).
What it means for you: if you hold a Cypriot permanent residence permit, keep your annual proof of investment, income and health insurance in order now; the review is checking exactly that. If you’re buying in, expect the €300,000 property route to change before Schengen entry, and get any purchase contract reviewed against the coming non-EU property law.
Full guide: Golden visa countries (2026): which are open, closed and the cost · Cyprus now expects to join Schengen in 2027, a year later than planned
Sources
- Cyprus Mail: Cyprus to tighten golden visa scheme ahead of Schengen entry
- Cyprus Mail: Government moves to restrict foreign property purchases
- Cyprus Mail: Cyprus to be fully integrated into Schengen area by next year
- Cyprus Mail: Cyprus hoping for Schengen decision as soon as possible
- EU Perspectives: Cyprus ready for Schengen
- IMI Daily: Cyprus to tighten golden visa before Schengen entry, reviews 12,000 permits
- Chrysostomides: Amendments to Cyprus residency by investment criteria
This is general information from the Nomad Forums team, not immigration, tax or legal advice. Rules change; check the official source or a qualified adviser before applying.
Over to you: If you hold a Cypriot permanent residence permit, has the Civil Registry and Migration Department asked you for updated proof of income or investment this year? And has anyone bought in Cyprus recently and been warned about the new non-EU property rules?