If you want to open a subsidiary in Cyprus, you can rely on our local specialists.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Applicable legislation (home country/foreign country) | Foreign country’s legislation (Cypriot Company Act) |
Best used for | – Trading activities; – commercial operations; – e-commerce activities, etc. |
Minimum share capital (YES/NO) | Approx. EUR 25.630 when registered as a public company |
| Time frame for the incorporation (approx.) | Approx. 20 business days |
| Documents to be filed by parent company | – Information about the foreign company; – Articles of Association of the subsidiary; – proof of Cyprus-based legal address; – bank account reference; – details of company director(s). |
| Management (Local/Foreign) | The subsidiary can have a foreign manager who must hold a residence permit if he or she is a non-EU citizen |
| Legal representative required (YES/NO) | Yes, a local representative is required for a Cypriot subsidiary |
| Local bank account (YES/NO) | Yes, a subsidiary company must have a local bank account |
| Independence from the parent company | The subsidiary is an independent business form |
| Liability of the parent company | The parent company is exempt from any obligations incurred by its subsidiary |
| Corporate tax rate | 12.5% |
| Annual accounts filing requirements | Annual returns must be filed no later than 28 days from the date of their creation |
| Possibility of hiring local staff (YES/NO) | Yes, a subsidiary can hire local workers |
| Travel requirements for incorporating branch/subsidiary (YES/NO) | No, there is no need to travel to Cyprus in order to set up a subsidiary |
| Double tax treaty access (YES/NO) | YES, Cyprus has more than 50 double tax agreements in place. |
Table of Contents
What are the main features of a Cypriot subsidiary?
The Cyprus subsidiary can be characterized by:
- the fact that its main shareholder will be a foreign or local company (it can also have a partner and be registered as a joint venture);
- it is an independent company and does not need to obtain permission from the parent company in respect to the operation it can complete;
- it can complete the activities of the parent company; however, additional undertakings can also be completed;
- in terms of licensing, the subsidiary needs to obtain its own business licenses, as it cannot operate under those of the parent company
- the subsidiary company will need to appoint a secretary, just like in the case of local businesses;
- from a taxation point of view, the subsidiary will be treated as any other Cypriot company;
- the Cyprus subsidiary must have a registered address and bank account in this country.
Often, the subsidiary is compared to the branch office, and the representatives of foreign companies interested in operating in Cyprus can obtain complete information on both structures from our local consultants. They can also help you start a company in Cyprus.
Is the subsidiary available only for foreign companies in Cyprus?
No, it can also be created by domestic enterprises.
We also have an infographic on the subsidiary:
What are the steps to open a subsidiary in Cyprus?
They are:
- trading name approval;
- documents preparation;
- application file submission with the Trade Register;
- tax registration;
- bank account opening;
- licensing, if applicable.
What are the documents required to set up a subsidiary in Cyprus?
You need to prepare:
- the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the parent company;
- the registration certificate of the parent company;
- the constitution documents of the Cypriot subsidiary;
- the trading name reservation;
- the copies of the resolutions passed by the parent company to open the subsidiary, approval of the share capital, and number of employees;
- the registration fee receipt.
IMPORTANT! All foreign-issued documents must be translated into Greek and certified before submission to the Cypriot Companies Register.
What are the documents issued after registering a subsidiary in Cyprus?
As a reply to your application, the following certificates will be issued:
- Certificate of Incorporation,
- Certificate of Shareholders,
- Certificate of Directors and Secretary
- Certificate of Registered Office Address.
Must I travel to Cyprus to register a subsidiary?
No, not necessarily. Our company formation agents in Cyprus can represent you. For this, we would need a power of attorney.
Is remote subsidiary registration available in Cyprus?
Yes, it is through our local specialists.
Are there specific trading name requirements when opening a Cypriot subsidiary?
Unlike the branch, the subsidiary does not need to bear the same name as the parent company. However, in certain cases, it may be required for the parent business to obtain approval for certain names. Our local specialists can explain this aspect in detail.
Here is also our video on the Cypriot subsidiary:
How long does it take to open a subsidiary in Cyprus?
The procedure can be completed in about 2 weeks.
How much does it cost to register a subsidiary in Cyprus in 2026?
You will need to pay:
- EUR 10 for reserving the trading name;
- EUR 105 as a registration fee.
If you are interested in an accelerated registration procedure, an additional EUR 100 can be paid.
Our Cyprus company formation experts can help you during the entire process of registering a subsidiary in the country. Would you like to open a company elsewhere, for example in Jersey? Our partners from CompanyFormationJersey.com are at your disposal.
Please contact our Cypriot company formation specialists for further details and personalized consultancy regarding the procedures and regulations for subsidiary establishment in Cyprus.