Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey and west of Syria. It is the third-largest and third-most populous island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and Sardinia. As of 2020, the population in Cyprus is 1.2 million, out of which 500 residence permits are given to digital nomads starting in 2022.
Due to the perfect climate, location, culture, and immigration laws, Cyprus is considered one of the best digital nomad destinations. The number of digital nomads wanting to live and work in Cyprus rises by the day, and for that reason, the Council of Ministers approved the Cyprus digital nomad visa scheme on October 15, 2021.
The same year, the government issued only 100 residence permits for digital workers in Cyprus, a number that multiplied by 5 the following year.
Foreign nationals who obtained the Cyprus digital nomad visa must stay in the country for 60 days out of 365 without leaving the island for more than three months at a time. This allows frequent travelers the chance to travel to nearby destinations.
Other benefits come with the new digital nomad visa scheme, and we cover everything you need to know about the entire visa process in this article. Keep reading to find out if you are eligible to obtain this visa and how the application process goes.
What is the Cyprus digital nomad visa scheme?
The digital nomad visa scheme’s goal is to strengthen Cyprus, its economy, and the technology industry and, along with other benefits Cyrpus offers, attract businesses and as many talented individuals and foreign entrepreneurs as possible. Remote workers have had a great impact on the business ecosystem of the island, and with the new digital nomad visa, the government is hoping for even better economic development.
Essentially, with the Cyprus digital nomad visa scheme, third-country nationals from non-EU and non-EEA countries who perform remote work on the island are granted a temporary residence permit with a validity of one year, alongside family members like a spouse, a civil union partner, and underaged children.
However, the digital nomad visa is only valid for remote workers employed with a company registered abroad or those who are self-employed working for clients located abroad.
What are the benefits of the Cyprus digital nomad visa scheme?
Unlike a tourist visa, with which digital nomads have limited benefits, the new digital nomad visa grants you the following:
- Temporary residence permit of one year with the possibility to extend for two more years.
- Temporary residence permit for family members (spouse/ partner in a civil union and minor children) for the same period of time as the digital nomad but without permission to engage in any economic activity during their stay.
Do I have to pay taxes in Cyprus with a digital nomad visa?
All non-EU nationals that are eligible for the temporary digital nomad residency permit are considered tax residents in Cyprus, provided they don’t have tax residency status in another country. However, they become tax residents only upon residing in the country for one or more periods of time that exceed 183 days within the same tax year.
Although this is the shortest time to gain tax residency status anywhere in the world, income tax in Cyprus is one of the lowest in the Europan Union. Moreover, all holders of the digital nomad visa are tax-free for income up to €19.500.
What are the Cyprus digital nomad visa requirements?
You can apply for a digital nomad visa in Cyprus if:
- You are a non-EU and non-EEA national with a valid passport for at least 3 months after your arrival in Cyprus
- Proof of employment. You have business documents proving you work remotely and earn a stable and sufficient monthly net income of a minimum of €3,500.
- You can perform work location-independently with the aid of telecommunications technology
- You are employed by a company abroad or self-employed offering services to foreign clients or companies
- You have proof of health insurance. A minimum of €30,00 coverage in health insurance is required.
- You have a clean criminal record certificate from the country of residence
- You have proof of suitable accommodation in Cyprus
There are other prerequisites you need to apply for a Cyprus digital worker visa, which you can check on the official website of the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What documents do I need to apply for a digital nomad residence permit?
All non-EU nationals looking to apply for a digital nomad visa should first enter Cyprus holding a tourist visa. Within 3 months of their arrival, they should submit all relevant applications to the Civil Registry and Migration Department. The required documents to apply for a digital nomad visa include:
- Relevant application form online
- Remote work proof (employment contracts)
- Certified bank statements
- Proof of income (minimum of €3,500 monthly income)
- Certified background check
- Health insurance
- Address of accommodations (rental agreement)
- Resume letter
Other relevant points to consider:
- If you are already residing in Cyprus under a different status, you can submit an application to change your status to a digital nomad temporary residence permit at the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia.
- Ensure that all documents are officially translated and duly certified.
- Application submission is done personally or through an authorized representative.
- Keep in mind that the examination process of the visa application takes anywhere between 5-7 weeks from the date of submission.
- If the application is approved, you will receive a letter with details on how to receive your temporary residence permit.
- If your visa application is rejected, you will be informed by a letter for rejection reasons.
What is the best place on the island for remote working?
Cyprus’s geographic position allows for sunshine year-round, and that alone attracts digital workers chasing summer around the world. With colorful nature, rich history, superb lifestyle, and low-income tax, the island truly is a paradise for anyone looking to work remotely and enjoy life to the fullest.
While the official languages are Greek and Turkish, foreign nationals working remotely can fully operate in English, Spanish, German or French, allowing for a smooth transition.
There are over 100,000 foreign nationals who have already made Cyprus their new home base. One of the best places for digital nomads on the island is Limassol on the southern coast, but the capital city of Nicosia, Paphos, and Larnaca are equally considered great cities for digital nomads.
Is Cyprus expensive for a digital nomad?
Compared to other countries in the European Union, Cyprus is more affordable for digital nomads in terms of housing, healthcare, and education.
The cost of living in Cyprus is as follows:
- The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the center is from €600-€700
- Monthly bills including electricity, heating, gas, and water for 2 people are around €300
- Internet with 8 Mbps internet speed costs around €25 per month
- Monthly food expenses range from
- Monthly ticket for public transport costs €40
- Entertainment and leisure costs depend on the type of activities preferred, but they can range anywhere from €10 to €150 a day (cinema, massages, dinner, clubbing, gym membership, etc.)
Essentially, a family of four can have around €3,500 monthly costs, while a single person estimated monthly expenses are around €1,500. This means that a digital nomad with a monthly net income of over €3,500 can live a good life in Cyprus.
Final thoughts
The Cyprus digital nomad visa scheme is an excellent solution for all third-country nationals who reside temporarily in Cyprus and work remotely through telecommunications technology. As long as the digital nomad is employed with an employer registered abroad or he/she is self-employed offering services to clients located abroad, they can be granted a digital nomad residence permit with a one-year term.
If you wish to reside temporarily in Cyprus with the new digital visa, you can bring your family members along. The procedure for them to obtain a temporary residence permit is the same as the one for a digital nomad visa. The visa fee is €70 both for the initial registration and renewal, and it takes from 5-7 weeks for the application to be reviewed, approved, or rejected.
For additional documents, the application form, and application submission visit the official website of the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs.