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Migration and Home Affairs
  • 1 April 2025

Self-employed worker in Cyprus

Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to work as a self-employed worker in Cyprus? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay.

Conditions

To carry out self-employed activities in Cyprus, you must obtain an immigration permit, which is a type of permanent residence permit.

Procedures

Where and how to apply

Immigration permit

If you wish to work as a self-employed person, you must apply for an immigration permit at the Civil Registry and Migration Department. The opinion of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism will be sought.

Documents required

Applications can be submitted directly to the Civil Registry and Migration Department which verifies the following:

  • that the envisaged business does not have a negative effect on the economy;
  • the type of activities or business intended;
  • the general conditions on the labour market;
  • the creation of new positions; and
  • the level of imported currency.

You must fall into one of the categories below and show sufficient financial resources, in accordance with the category you belong to:

  • You will belong to category A if you intend to be self-employed in the agricultural or livestock-farming sector. You must show an unencumbered capital of € 427 000.
  • You will belong to category B if you intend to be self-employed in the mining business. You must show an unencumbered capital of € 342 000.
  • You will belong to category C if you intend to conduct a business as a self-employed person. You must show an unencumbered capital of € 256 000 in the business sector.
  • You will belong to category D if you intend to be self-employed by conducting a profession or science. You will need to have adequate funds. There must be a demand for additional members of the particular profession or science.
Duration of validity of permitsAn immigration permit is permanent unless you fail to take up residence within one year from the date it is granted, fail to take up professional activities or reside outside Cyprus for two years or longer.
AppealsYou can challenge decisions related to your work and residence permit before the Administrative Court.
Further informationMore on immigration permits

Rights

Change of activitiesYou are permitted to change activities provided that you meet all requirements set out by relevant legal provisions.
Change of statusYou are permitted to change status provided that all conditions are met.
Long-term residence permit

After five years of legal and continuous stay, you are entitled to apply for the long-term residence permit.

You must show:

  • stable financial means;
  • health insurance;
  • that you have not secured residence by fraud.