In brief
An Israeli without a European passport enters Cyprus visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, but to live there they need a permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department. The main routes are a visitor permit (pink slip) for those living on income from abroad, permanent residence under Category F or through an investment of EUR 300,000, a digital nomad visa with net income of EUR 3,500 a month, and a work permit with a foreign-controlled company. Citizenship is generally possible only after 7 years of lawful residence out of 10 and Greek at B1 level, as of November 2026.
Key takeaways
- 1An Israeli enters Cyprus visa-free for up to 90 days within 180 days. A longer stay requires a permit, and a holder of an EU member state passport only needs a registration certificate (MEU1).
- 2Digital nomad visa: net income of at least EUR 3,500 a month from remote work for an employer or clients outside Cyprus, for one year with the option to extend for two more years.
- 3Visitor permit (pink slip): according to the practice described in professional reviews from 2025, annual income of at least EUR 24,000 from outside Cyprus, and no permission to work in Cyprus.
- 4Employee of a foreign-controlled company: under the government strategy, a gross salary of at least EUR 2,500 a month for a skilled employee, with a right to family reunification.
- 5Permanent residence through investment: EUR 300,000 plus VAT and annual income of at least EUR 50,000 for the applicant. The permit does not allow work in Cyprus.
- 6Citizenship: generally 7 years of lawful residence out of the last 10 years and Greek at B1 level. For highly skilled employees, 3 or 4 years depending on language level.
Cyprus is close, largely English-speaking and an EU member, which makes it one of the first destinations Israelis look at when considering a move. But the geographic proximity is misleading: legally, an Israeli without a European passport is a third-country national, and to live in Cyprus they need a permit that matches the purpose of their stay. This guide deals with the Republic of Cyprus only. On the differences with the north, see Northern Cyprus versus the Republic.
Does an Israeli need a visa to live in Cyprus?
Not for a short visit, but yes for living there. An Israeli enters Cyprus visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Anyone planning to stay longer needs a residence permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department, which now operates under the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection. On most routes the application is submitted in Cyprus, after entry, and not at a consulate in Israel.
It is also important to understand what a Cypriot permit does not give. As of writing, Cyprus is not part of the Schengen Area, and a Cypriot residence permit does not in itself confer a right of residence in other EU countries. A residence permit also does not determine residency for tax purposes. Tax residency is determined by the tax tests, not by the type of permit.
An Israeli who is also a citizen of an EU member state may live and work in Cyprus under the free movement rules. For a stay of more than 90 days they register with the Migration Department and receive a registration certificate (MEU1, known as the “yellow slip”), and according to published sources registration must take place within four months of arrival. After five years of continuous lawful residence they are entitled to the permanent residence of an EU citizen. Their Israeli family members apply for a residence card as family members of an EU citizen.
What residence routes in Cyprus are available to Israelis?
The choice of route depends on one question: what you will live on in Cyprus. Someone living on passive income from abroad, someone working remotely for a foreign employer, and someone who will work for a company in Cyprus are on completely different routes, with different work rights. The table summarises the main routes as of November 2026.
| Route | Suitable for | Main requirement | May you work in Cyprus? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor permit (pink slip) | Retirees and families living on income from abroad | According to professional reviews: annual income of at least EUR 24,000 from abroad, health insurance and accommodation | No | Temporary, renewed annually |
| Permanent residence under Category F | People with regular income from abroad who want permanent status | Stable annual income from outside Cyprus and accommodation in Cyprus | No | Permanent residence |
| Permanent residence through investment (Regulation 6(2)) | Investors | EUR 300,000 plus VAT and annual income of at least EUR 50,000 | No (except as a director of the company invested in) | Permanent residence |
| Digital nomad visa | Remote employees and freelancers | Net income of at least EUR 3,500 a month from an employer or clients abroad | Only for the employer or clients abroad | Temporary, up to three years |
| Employee of a foreign-controlled company | Skilled employees | Gross salary of at least EUR 2,500 a month, a degree or relevant experience | Yes, for the approved employer | Temporary, according to the employment contract |
| EU Blue Card | Highly qualified employees | Gross annual salary of at least EUR 43,632 (under a decree of December 2024) | Yes | Temporary |
| Family reunification | Spouse and minor children of a permit holder | Conditions examined according to the holder's status | Depends on the holder's route | Depends on the holder's status |
| EU citizen registration (MEU1) | Holders of a European passport | Work, business, study or independent means and health insurance | Yes | Permanent residence after five years |
What is a pink slip, and who is it suitable for?
A pink slip is a temporary residence permit for a visitor, intended for those who want to live in Cyprus without working there. It is the common route for retirees and for families living on passive income from abroad, such as a pension, rent or dividends. The permit is usually granted for one year and renewed annually, as long as the conditions are met. The main limitation: the permit does not allow employment or self-employment in Cyprus, and it does not lead directly to permanent residence or citizenship. Anyone planning to stay for many years should look into another route that leads to permanent status in advance.
- Income from abroad: according to a professional review from December 2025, the Migration Department's practice is annual income of at least EUR 24,000 for a single applicant, plus 20% for a spouse and 15% for each minor child. The amount is not fixed in law and may change.
- Transfers to a Cypriot bank account showing that the income does in fact come from abroad, and according to the same review also a bank guarantee to cover possible repatriation costs.
- Private health insurance covering hospitalisation and outpatient treatment in Cyprus.
- Accommodation: a lease or property ownership documents.
- Criminal record certificate and authenticated personal documents.
What is Category F, and how does it differ from residence through investment?
Category F is permanent residence under Regulation 5 of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations, for those who have stable and sufficient annual income from outside Cyprus and do not intend to work there. Unlike the investment route, it does not require an investment of any particular amount. In return, processing takes much longer: professional reviews report many months and sometimes more than a year.
The income must come from outside Cyprus, not from work there. The income threshold cited in various reviews is relatively low, but in practice the authorities examine the whole financial picture, so it is not wise to rely on the low threshold. The permit also requires accommodation in Cyprus, owned or on a long-term lease, and a visit at least once every two years to keep it.
The fast route is permanent residence through investment under Regulation 6(2): an investment of at least EUR 300,000 plus VAT, for example in a new residential property bought first-hand from a developer, and proven annual income of EUR 50,000 for the applicant, plus EUR 15,000 for a spouse and EUR 10,000 for each minor child. All the conditions, costs and risks are detailed in the guide Permanent residence in Cyprus through real estate investment, and the comparison with other countries in the guide Golden visas in Europe 2026.
Who is eligible for a digital nomad visa in Cyprus?
The Digital Nomad Visa is intended for those who work remotely, as an employee of an employer registered outside Cyprus or as a self-employed person with clients outside Cyprus, and earn at least EUR 3,500 net a month. The permit is granted for one year and can be extended for two more years, meaning up to three years in total.
- Income: at least EUR 3,500 a month, after deduction of taxes and contributions, from a stable source.
- Remote work: proof that the work is performed by technological means, for an employer or clients outside Cyprus. Working for a Cypriot employer is prohibited.
- Application: you enter Cyprus as a visitor and submit the application to the Migration Department within three months of arrival. The estimated processing time according to KPMG is five to seven weeks.
- Family members: a spouse and minor children receive a permit for the same period, but may not work or engage in economic activity in Cyprus.
- Quota: the number of permits is limited. According to 2026 publications the quota was expanded to 1,000 permits, and in the past intake was temporarily suspended when the quota was filled. Check availability before planning the move around this route.
A digital nomad visa holder who stays in Cyprus for more than 183 days in a calendar year becomes a Cypriot tax resident, with all the implications in Israel and in Cyprus. The permit itself does not determine tax residency, but it does not protect against it either.
How do you work in Cyprus as an employee?
The usual way for an Israeli planning to work as an employee in Cyprus is employment with a foreign-controlled company registered under the government business facilitation scheme (Business Facilitation Unit, referred to in some publications as the Business Support Centre). Under this scheme the company can employ third-country nationals through a relatively fast procedure, without the usual labour market test.
According to the government's strategy for attracting businesses and talent (February 2024 version), a skilled employee on this route needs a gross salary of at least EUR 2,500 a month, a university degree or at least two years of relevant experience, and an employment contract of at least two years. Such a permit holder is entitled to family reunification, and according to the document the spouse receives access to the labour market. The conditions for registering the company itself on the scheme, including foreign ownership and investment requirements, are updated from time to time and should be checked with the authority before entering into any commitment. The aspects of employing staff in Cyprus are detailed in the guide An Israeli company doing business in Cyprus.
An alternative for particularly highly qualified employees is the EU Blue Card. According to the Migration Department, the minimum annual salary set in a decree of December 2024 is EUR 43,632 gross, and family members receive free access to the labour market.
Can an Israeli work in Cyprus as self-employed or open a business there?
Cyprus has no simple “self-employment visa” route for third-country nationals. Someone who wants to operate in Cyprus with their own business usually considers setting up a Cypriot company and registering it under the scheme for foreign-controlled companies, so that they are employed by it as a director or key employee. This is a legal and a tax decision alike, because the company's place of management affects its tax residency. See Setting up a company in Cyprus for Israelis and Corporate tax in Cyprus and transferring profits to Israel.
Which family members can join, and what are their rights?
On most routes the spouse and minor children can join, but their right to work depends on the main applicant's route. On the digital nomad visa, the pink slip and the permanent residence routes for people with income, family members may not work. With employment under the foreign-controlled company scheme and with the Blue Card, spouses have access to the labour market.
On the general family reunification route, according to the Ministry of Interior and professional reviews, the conditions usually include a minimum period of lawful residence by the holder, a reasonable prospect of obtaining permanent residence, stable resources, suitable accommodation and health insurance for the whole family. Children attend public or private schools, and it is worth checking children's registration and the recognition of certificates from Israel in advance.
What documents should you prepare in Israel?
Israel and Cyprus are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an Israeli public document is authenticated with an apostille and does not need consular legalisation. Documents not in English or Greek require a certified translation.
- An Israeli passport valid for a long period, and passport photos.
- A criminal record certificate from the Israel Police, authenticated with an apostille, for each adult applicant.
- Birth and marriage certificates, and where necessary a divorce judgment or custody agreement, with an apostille.
- Consent of the other parent to relocating the children, when only one parent is moving.
- Proof of income: employer certificates, payslips, pension certificates, tax returns and bank statements.
- A health insurance policy covering all family members in Cyprus, where the route requires it.
- A lease or ownership documents for a property in Cyprus.
What does the process look like, step by step?
- Check for European citizenship in the family: if there is entitlement to a European passport, the registration route is far simpler than any other permit.
- Choose a route according to the source of income: passive income, remote work, work in Cyprus or investment.
- Check the tax implications before the move: in Israel and in Cyprus, including the timing of departure from Israel.
- Prepare documents in Israel: apostilles, translations, criminal record certificate and health insurance.
- Enter Cyprus and rent accommodation: most applications are submitted in Cyprus, and on some routes within a set time after arrival.
- Open a Cypriot bank account and transfer income into it where the route requires it.
- Submit the application and provide biometric data at the Migration Department or the district aliens unit.
- Register in the aliens register and receive the residence card.
- Renew on time: for most temporary permits, a renewal application must be submitted before the permit expires, with up-to-date supporting documents.
When can you obtain permanent residence and Cypriot citizenship?
Permanent residence is possible immediately on the Category F and 6(2) routes, or as long-term resident status after five years of lawful and continuous residence. Citizenship is a separate stage: under the amendment to the Civil Registry Law published in the Official Gazette on 19 December 2023, the general requirements are 7 years of lawful residence out of the 10 years before the application, 12 months of continuous stay before applying, and Greek at B1 level. According to Deloitte, periods of study or temporary protection do not count towards the required residence period. Check in advance which periods on your chosen route count, because not every residence permit “accrues time” to the same extent.
| Route | Residence period | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General naturalisation | 7 years out of 10, plus 12 continuous months before applying | Greek at B1 level | Basic knowledge of the political and social system is also required |
| Highly skilled employees | 4 years out of 10 | Greek at A2 level | According to the Deloitte review; verify the pairing of years and language level |
| Highly skilled employees | 3 years out of 10 | Greek at B1 level | Expedited processing within 8 months on payment of a fee |
| EU citizen | 5 continuous years | Not required | Permanent residence, not citizenship |
Does a residence permit in Cyprus make me a tax resident there?
Not automatically. Tax residency in Cyprus is determined by the 183-day test or the 60-day test, regardless of the type of permit. Conversely, you can hold a permit and remain an Israeli resident for tax purposes, if your centre of life remains in Israel. Since there is no tax treaty between Israel and Cyprus, there is no agreed rule to decide cases of dual residency. The details are in the companion guide on tax residency in Cyprus and in the guide Israel's tax treaties by country.
This guide is general information correct as of November 2026. Immigration conditions in Cyprus are partly set by government decisions and administrative practice, and change frequently, so every case requires individual review.
More on Cyprus: Permanent residence through investment · Setting up a company in Cyprus · An Israeli company doing business in Cyprus · Cyprus cities compared · Council of Ministers permit to acquire property
More on relocating to Cyprus: Tax residency in Cyprus · Ending Israeli tax residency · Moving abroad with an Israeli company or business · The family legal checklist
Frequently asked questions
How long can an Israeli stay in Cyprus without a visa?
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period, as a visitor. Anyone who wants to stay longer needs a residence permit from the Migration Department, and on most routes it is applied for in Cyprus before the permitted stay ends.
What income is required for a digital nomad visa in Cyprus?
At least EUR 3,500 net a month, after taxes and contributions, from remote work for an employer or clients outside Cyprus. Higher income is required for family members. The permit is granted for one year and can be extended for two more years.
Can a pink slip holder work in Cyprus?
No. A visitor permit does not allow employment or self-employment in Cyprus, and the income must come from outside Cyprus. Anyone who wants to work in Cyprus needs a work permit, or a route such as the digital nomad visa for work for parties abroad.
Does buying an apartment in Cyprus give citizenship?
No. The citizenship-by-investment programme was abolished on 1 November 2020. An investment of EUR 300,000 plus VAT can support permanent residence under Regulation 6(2), subject to conditions, but citizenship requires years of actual residence and knowledge of Greek.
How many years do you need to live in Cyprus to obtain citizenship?
Generally 7 years of lawful residence out of the 10 years before the application, 12 months of continuous stay before applying, and Greek at B1 level. A shorter route of 3 or 4 years, depending on the level of Greek, has been set for highly skilled employees.
Will my spouse be able to work in Cyprus?
It depends on your route. On the digital nomad visa, the pink slip and permanent residence for people with income, family members may not work. With employment at a foreign-controlled company that meets the scheme's conditions, and with the Blue Card, the spouse has access to the labour market.
I am an Israeli with a Portuguese passport. What do I need to live in Cyprus?
As an EU citizen you do not need a residence permit. For a stay of more than 90 days you register with the Migration Department and receive a registration certificate (MEU1), and an Israeli spouse applies for a residence card as a family member of an EU citizen.
Does a residence permit in Cyprus end my Israeli tax residency?
No. Israeli tax residency is determined by the centre of life, and the Cypriot permit is only one of the factors. Ending Israeli residency requires examining all your ties, and since there is no tax treaty with Cyprus, the move should be coordinated with an Israeli accountant.
Read next · 8 min readPermanent Residency in Cyprus Through Real Estate Investment: The Investment Threshold, Conditions and What Not to Promise YourselfHow to get Cyprus permanent residency through property (the "Cyprus Golden Visa"): EUR 300,000 plus VAT, EUR 50,000 income, and what it does not give.Read the guideSources
- Gov.cy, Migration Department - Digital nomads and family members
- Gov.cy, Migration Department - EU Blue Card
- Business in Cyprus (gov) - Strategy for Attracting Companies, updated February 2024
- Ministry of Interior, CRMD - Family reunification: sponsor's requirements
- KPMG Cyprus - Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme
- Deloitte Cyprus - Comprehensive update on citizenship requirements in Cyprus (Sep 2024)
- Legal 500 - Temporary Residence Permit in Cyprus (Pink Slip): FAQ (Dec 2025)
- Cyprus Mail - Cyprus residency requirements, visas, permits and permanent residence explained (Jan 2026)
- Cyprus Mail - Digital nomads: opportunity or challenge for the Cypriot economy (Aug 2026)
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Cyprus, Individual: Residence
