--- title: "Cyprus Self-employed profession requirements 2026" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/category-d-profession/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Cyprus · Business / Startup # Cyprus Self-employed profession **First stay:** 10 yrs Immigration permit Category D: self-employed in an occupation or science Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 10 yrs (Immigration permit with an unlimited right of residence for the holder and adult dependants; the residence card expires after ten years and is replaced, and a child's card is valid to age 18. The permit ceases if the holder does not take up residence in Cyprus within one year of approval, acquires permanent residence abroad or is absent from Cyprus for two years.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals.) - **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Non-domiciled residents outside Special Defence Contribution (17 of 20 years): Special Defence Contribution (SDC) applies only to residents who are also domiciled in Cyprus, so a tax resident without Cyprus domicile pays no SDC on dividends or interest; an individual is deemed domiciled after being tax resident in at least 17 of the last 20 years before the tax year.) ## Key facts Self-employed profession is a business / startup route for Cyprus. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source. - **Government fees:** €500 ≈ $560 - **First stay:** 10 yrs ## Cost, time and long term **Government fees: €500 ≈ $560** - EUR 500 (≈ $560) Fee at application submission for all persons included; EUR 70 (≈ $78) more per person for the Aliens Registration Certificate. **Renewal: Renewable** The residence card expires after ten years and is replaced; the permit gives an unlimited right of residence. [Migration Department, Cyprus](https://www.gov.cy/mip-md/en/documents/companies-investors-permanent-residence-3/immigration-permits/) **Citizenship: General rule: 7 years of residence** General naturalisation rule: 12 months of legal continuous residence immediately before applying and at least 7 years of legal residence in the preceding 10 years, plus Greek at B1 level. [Ministry of Interior](https://www.gov.cy/moi/en/documents/acquisition-of-cypriot-citizenship-by-naturalization-due-to-years-of-residence-form-m127/) **Presence rules: Absence limits** The permit ceases if you acquire permanent residence abroad or are absent from Cyprus for two years. [Migration Department, Cyprus](https://www.gov.cy/mip-md/en/documents/companies-investors-permanent-residence-3/immigration-permits/) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant is a third-country national. - Duly qualified to practise in Cyprus. - There is a need for more members of the profession. #### What you must show - Sufficient funds or secured income are shown. #### Steps 1. Apply at the Migration Department offices in Nicosia with form MIP2, in person or through an authorised representative. #### After you arrive - Take up residence in Cyprus within one year of approval, or the permit ceases. ## When you become tax resident How Cyprus decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **10 years at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in a tax year** Staying in Cyprus for periods exceeding 183 days in total in a tax year. - **At least 60 days in a tax year** 60-day rule: at least 60 days in Cyprus, not more than 183 days in any other country, carrying on business or employment in Cyprus, and keeping a permanent home in Cyprus that the person owns or rents. - **Foreign-source income:** **Non-dom (17 of 20 years)** SDC on dividends (5% for residents who are domiciled) and interest (17% for residents who are domiciled) under Law 117(I)/2002 as amended; ordinary income tax on residents continues to apply to worldwide income. - **Special regime:** **Non-domiciled residents outside Special Defence Contribution** · Tax relief [All tax rules for Cyprus](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Qualified professionals practising in Cyprus where there is a need for additional members of the profession. (source 1) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of EUR 500 (≈ $560) · Fee at application submission for all persons included; EUR 70 (≈ $78) more per person for the Aliens Registration Certificate. (source 1) #### Requirements - The applicant is a third-country national. (source 1) - Duly qualified to practise in Cyprus. (source 1) - There is a need for more members of the profession. (source 1) - Sufficient funds or secured income are shown. (source 1) - Take up residence in Cyprus within one year of approval, or the permit ceases. (source 1) - Apply at the Migration Department offices in Nicosia with form MIP2, in person or through an authorised representative. (source 1) #### Stay - Immigration permit with an unlimited right of residence for the holder and adult dependants; the residence card expires after ten years and is replaced, and a child's card is valid to age 18. The permit ceases if the holder does not take up residence in Cyprus within one year of approval, acquires permanent residence abroad or is absent from Cyprus for two years. - Initial permitted stay: 120 months. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Third-country nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. #### Work Self-employment in the profession. #### Family Spouse and children under 18 can be added as dependants; adding a family member costs EUR 50 (≈ $56) each. Checked 2026-10-12 ## Official sources 1. [Immigration Permits (categories A-F)](https://www.gov.cy/mip-md/en/documents/companies-investors-permanent-residence-3/immigration-permits/) · Migration Department, Cyprus · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2025-12-29 2. [Acquisition of Cypriot citizenship by naturalization due to years of residence (form M127)](https://www.gov.cy/moi/en/documents/acquisition-of-cypriot-citizenship-by-naturalization-due-to-years-of-residence-form-m127/) · Ministry of Interior (Cyprus) · checked 2026-10-12 ## Self-employed profession and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Self-employed profession | – | 10 yr, renewable | – | | [Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | | [Self-employed farm/mining](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/category-ab-agri-mining/) | Needs assets from €350k ≈ $391k | 10 yr, renewable | – | | [Self-employed trade](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/category-c-trade/) | Needs assets of ~€260k ≈ $290k | 10 yr, renewable | – | | [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Self-employed profession? A fee of EUR 500 (≈ $560). Fee at application submission for all persons included; EUR 70 (≈ $78) more per person for the Aliens Registration Certificate. ### How long can I stay on the Self-employed profession? Immigration permit with an unlimited right of residence for the holder and adult dependants; the residence card expires after ten years and is replaced, and a child's card is valid to age 18. ### Can I work on the Self-employed profession? Self-employment in the profession. ### Can I bring my family on the Self-employed profession? Spouse and children under 18 can be added as dependants; adding a family member costs EUR 50 (≈ $56) each. ### Who can apply for the Self-employed profession? Third-country nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. ### Is there a tax break for Self-employed profession holders in Cyprus? Non-domiciled residents outside Special Defence Contribution (17 of 20 years): Special Defence Contribution (SDC) applies only to residents who are also domiciled in Cyprus, so a tax resident without Cyprus domicile pays no SDC on dividends or interest; an individual is deemed domiciled after being tax resident in at least 17 of the last 20 years before the tax year. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Tax Special regime ### [Non-domiciled residents outside Special Defence Contribution (17 of 20 years)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/tax/#tax-cy-domicile-sdc) Tax relief Foreign-source income: Non-dom (17 of 20 years) **Details** - On: SDC on dividends (5% for residents who are domiciled) and interest - Who: Tax resident of Cyprus under the Income Tax Law Special Defence Contribution (SDC) applies only to residents who are also domiciled in Cyprus, so a tax resident without Cyprus domicile pays no SDC on dividends or interest; an individual is deemed domiciled after being tax resident in at least 17 of the last 20 years before the tax year. #### Taxed on SDC on dividends (5% for residents who are domiciled) and interest (17% for residents who are domiciled) under Law 117(I)/2002 as amended; ordinary income tax on residents continues to apply to worldwide income. #### Who it applies to - Tax resident of Cyprus under the Income Tax Law. - No domicile of origin in Cyprus under the Wills and Succession Law, or domicile of choice abroad with 20 consecutive years of non-residence; deemed domicile arises after 17 of the last 20 years as a tax resident and persists until 20 years without residence. #### Exclusions - Persons with domicile of origin in Cyprus are domiciled for SDC. - Persons who reach 17 of the last 20 years of residence become domiciled and subject to SDC unless they elect the alternative in Article 3D (see “Alternative SDC: EUR 50,000 (≈ $55,900) a year (EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000) for five years) for deemed-domiciled residents”). - Cyprus income tax on residents still applies to worldwide income under the scales in “Personal income tax scales from 2026”. #### Tax residence Tax residence is decided each year under Law 118(I)/2002 (183 days, or the 60-day rule); domicile is a separate test for SDC. Non-domiciled individuals can apply for exemption on form T.F.38. #### Visas A residence permit does not change domicile; tax residence years are what count. #### Other taxes SDC on rent and deemed dividend distributions were removed by Law 245(I)/2025 effective 1 January 2026; social insurance and GHS contributions are separate. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/tax/) ## More in Cyprus [Digital nomad permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/digital-nomad-residence/) [PR · €300k fund units](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/invest-fund-units/) [PR · €300k new home](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/invest-new-house/) [PR · €300k commercial property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/invest-other-realestate/) [Retiree on foreign income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/category-f-retirement/) [PR · €300k company shares](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/invest-company-capital/) [EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/eu-blue-card/) [Employment offer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/category-e-employment/) ## Business / startup visas elsewhere [🇪🇸 Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) [🇮🇹 Startup Hub (in-country)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-hub/) [🇬🇷 Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) [🇩🇪 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-12 against 2 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Immigration Permits (categories A-F)](https://www.gov.cy/mip-md/en/documents/companies-investors-permanent-residence-3/immigration-permits/) · Migration Department, Cyprus · checked 2026-10-12 2. [Acquisition of Cypriot citizenship by naturalization due to years of residence (form M127)](https://www.gov.cy/moi/en/documents/acquisition-of-cypriot-citizenship-by-naturalization-due-to-years-of-residence-form-m127/) · Ministry of Interior (Cyprus) · checked 2026-10-12 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.