On December 19, 2023, the Cyprus Parliament made significant amendments to the Civil Registry Law of 2002 (Law no. 141(I)/2002, as periodically updated), transforming the requirements for acquiring Cypriot citizenship through naturalization. These revisions, further refined on May 31, 2024, introduce new stipulations including proficient Greek language skills and a thorough understanding of Cyprus political and social landscape.
Updated Naturalization Requirements
To be eligible for Cypriot citizenship by naturalization, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Special Provisions for Highly Qualified Third Country Nationals
For highly qualified third-country nationals residing in Cyprus and employed by Cypriot companies of foreign origin, the following special provisions apply:
Family Members:
Spouses, Civil Partners, or Dependent Adult Children with Disabilities may apply concurrently if they meet the adjusted residency requirements.
Expedited Processing:
Applications under these special provisions will be processed within eight months upon payment of a fee.
Applications submitted before these amendments took effect will be evaluated based on the criteria applicable at the time of submission.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.