Is It Difficult to Get a Cyprus Passport?

How difficult it is to obtain a Cyprus passport depends entirely on your pathway. Some routes are straightforward — especially for those with Cypriot ancestry — while others involve long-term residency and integration requirements.

Easiest Route: Citizenship by Descent

If you have a Cypriot parent or (in some cases) grandparent, citizenship is accessible and often fast.

Why it’s easy:

• No residency required

• No language test

• No integration exam

• Straightforward documentation

This is one of the simplest ancestry routes in Europe.

Moderate Route: Naturalization Through Residency

Non-Cypriots without ancestry must:

• Live legally in Cyprus for 7 years

• Demonstrate integration into society

• Maintain legal and tax compliance

Residency must be continuous and well-documented.

Other Routes

Marriage to a Cypriot Citizen

Allows naturalization after:

• 3 years of marriage if living in Cyprus

• Additional requirements if living abroad

Investment Route

Cyprus ended its investment citizenship program in 2020.

Buying property can lead to residency, but not automatic citizenship.

Common Challenges

• Document translations

• Apostilles

• Proving consistent residency

• Surname or spelling differences on older documents

Bottom Line

Citizenship by descent is easy and fast.

Citizenship by residency takes years but remains predictable and structured.

Use CitizenCY to streamline your application.

Download the CitizenCY app for citizenship pathways, ancestry tools, and expert guidance.