Cyprus Company Formation

The company formation procedure in Cyprus is similar for all available company types. If you decide to start a business here, you can rely on our local experts for full company incorporation services.

What types of companies/entities can I set up in Cyprus?

• Limited liability company – in Cyprus, this type of company, also called an LTD, can either be public or private. The private limited liability company is not required to have a minimum amount of money; however, in the case of a public company, the minimum share capital is approximately 25,629 euros.
• Foreign companies are welcome to create branches and representative offices, as well as subsidiaries, which will operate as extensions of the parent companies in Cyprus. Each structure has its own requirements that have to be met by the founders.
• Partnerships in Cyprus. There are two types of partnerships available for registration in Cyprus – the general and the limited partnership. Both types of partnerships require a minimum of two participants and a maximum of 20 participants.
• Sole proprietorships in Cyprus. This is the simplest business form available for those who want to operate on their own. There are no share capital requirements in the case of sole traders.

Can a foreigner open a company in Cyprus?

Of course. Cyprus welcomes foreign investors in various business fields. The legislation for investments allows foreigners to open the same types of legal entities as national investors.

What are the documents required for a foreign investor who wants to set up a company in Cyprus?

As a foreigner, you only need to supply 2 types of documents for company registration in Cyprus:

Documents obtained by yourself as client:

• a valid passport – no visa is needed to own a Cypriot company (non-EU citizens need a visa/permit only to travel, live or work in Cyprus);
• a recent utility bill, or a rental agreement if you are a Cypriot resident;
• a CV showing your expertise and background
• Reference letter (from an attorney for example)

Documents to be drafted by our Law Firm and signed by you:

• Initial KYC documents
• Legal Agreement with us as Fiduciary
• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• UBO Questionnaire
• Agreements for registered office, secretary and nominee shareholders/directors (if applicable).

We also invite you to see a short version of the process of company formation in Cyprus in the scheme below:

What are the steps for incorporating my Cyprus Company with your firm?

Here is what to expect when you decide to work with us:

• you can get in touch with us at our office, via phone or email, and hand us or send us the registration documents, alongside the business name proposal;
• we will then file the application for the business name for approval to the Companies Register;
• once the trading name is approved, we will submit the registration papers to the Register;
• we will then get the Registration Certificate and apply for an apostille with the Ministry of Justice;
• register the company for taxation and VAT.

How long does it take to register a company in Cyprus in 2026?

Here is a breakdown of the procedure, based on the experience of our local specialists:

• business name approval can take around 4 days to complete;
• 1 or 2 days for preparing the company’s statutory documents;
• the registration of the company is made in about 6 working days;
• the apostille is then obtained in one working day;
• tax registration takes another working day;
• social security registration is about 1 week.

You can also watch our video below:

What are the most important advantages of starting a business in Cyprus?

Here are some lesser-known aspects about having a business in Cyprus, especially if you are a non-resident:

• you are not required to pay the share capital of the Cypriot company in cash;
• for enhanced privacy, you are allowed to appoint a nominee shareholder, director, and even a secretary in Cyprus (their names will be filed with the Ultimate Beneficial Owner Register maintained by the Registrar of Companies (DRCIP));
• Cyprus applies a 15% corporate tax on business profits and levies no tax on profits made from the trading of shares (capital gains tax of 20% applies only to Cypriot immovable property and shares in companies holding such property)
• Cyprus offers:
  1. 0% withholding tax on dividends, which basically means that once you pay 15%, you have no further dues towards the Cypriot state.
  2. 5% for dividends paid towards a non-EU country whose corporate tax rate is below half of Cyprus's (below 7.5 % as of 2026).
  3. 17% if that country is on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions.
  Important note: you will also have to pay income tax in your country of residence in accordance with the Double Taxation Treaties signed with Cyprus.
• If your Cyprus company will receive royalties for intellectual property then you will pay about 3% corporate tax as 80% of profit is exempt.
• A Cyprus holding company generally pays no corporate tax on the dividends it receives.

Can you register more sophisticated offshore structures in Cyprus?

Yes, even if the latest Tax Law modifications have brought changes, Cyprus is still a good destination to set up subsidiaries of other low tax jurisdictions around the world and thus legally optimize your taxes within the EU.

What are the company registration fees for a Cyprus company in 2026?

Here are the fees imposed by the Companies Register in 2026:

• EUR 10 for name approval;
• EUR 165 for the submission of the incorporation forms.

Important: Our professional fees will be added to the fees above.

What will be my company’s annual running costs?

In order to keep your company in good standing you will have to consider the following annual costs:

• Fiduciary costs (costs for secretary, registered office, nominee shareholders or directors) – starting with approx. 700 EUR
• Accounting – starting with approx. 1,200 EUR
• Audit – starting with 2,200 EUR.

We invite you to contact our team of specialists in Cyprus company formation matters for more details about our services or for a personalized offer.