Cypriot citizenship by naturalisation: conditions, fees

Documents in Cyprus Checked: 23 October 2026 no change to the rule has been established since the check

In short

Who it applies to: Foreigners who have lived in Cyprus lawfully for many years and want to become citizens. Spouses of Cypriot citizens and highly skilled staff of companies on the Council of Ministers' list have a separate, shorter route.
What it costs: €500 on filing and another €500 if the application is approved — for the naturalisation certificate. The fast track for the highly skilled costs €5.000. For the spouse of a Cypriot citizen filing costs €300.
How long it takes: For the ordinary route neither the law nor the ministry sets an examination time. The law caps the fast track at eight months.
Where to apply: Form M127 — at the District Administration where you live; in Nicosia by online appointment. The application is signed before a court registrar. Documents from abroad must be certified and translated.
If your case differs: Citizenship is handled not by the Migration Department but by the Ministry of Interior through the District Administrations. Years on a student permit or as an asylum seeker do not count.

Your case

If you apply on years of residence

You need the last 12 months in Cyprus with absences of no more than 90 days, plus 7 years of lawful residence in the ten years before them. Physical presence is what counts. Add Greek at B1 — a written and an oral exam — the Cyprus exam, housing and means, and good character: no convictions for serious offences and no pending criminal cases. Form M127, €500 on filing and €500 on approval.

If you are highly skilled staff of a company on the Council of Ministers' list

The period is shorter: 4 years with Greek at A2 or three years with B1, and absences of up to 90 days a year do not break it. Family members may apply together with you. The application is fast-tracked — no more than 8 months, for €5.000.

If you are married to a Cypriot citizen

This is not naturalisation but registration as a citizen by marriage: form M125, €300. You need three years of marriage or civil partnership; if the couple lives in Cyprus — at least six months a year and at least two of the last three years. You may also apply while living abroad. The law requires no Greek or exam on this route.

Deadlines and conditions

in the ten years before the final year you need at least 7 years of lawful residenceLaw 141(Ι)/2002, s. 111Β(1)(β): in the ten years before the final year, lawful residence «για χρονικά διαστήματα τα οποία αθροιζόμενα δεν είναι μικρότερα των επτά (7) ετών».
plus 12 months of continuous residence right before filingS. 111Β(1)(α): «νόμιμη και συνεχή διαμονή … των αμέσως προηγούμενων δώδεκα (12) μηνών από την ημερομηνία υποβολής της αίτησης».
in that year absences may total no more than 90 daysThe same, proviso: «περίοδοι απουσίας … που δεν υπερβαίνουν συνολικά τις ενενήντα (90) ημέρες … δεν διακόπτουν».
you pay €500 on filingThe Ministry of Interior page on form M127: «Για την υποβολή αίτησης καταβάλλεται τέλος ύψους €500».
and another €500 for the certificate if approvedThe same page: «Σε περίπτωση έγκρισης της αίτησης καταβάλλεται επιπρόσθετο τέλος ύψους €500 για την έκδοση του πιστοποιητικού πολιτογράφησης».
the fast track costs €5.000ΚΔΠ 401/2024: «το ύψος του νενομισμένου τέλους ανέρχεται στο ποσό των 5 χιλιάδων ευρώ» — the fee for the fast track under s. 111Β(7).
and takes no more than 8 monthsS. 111Β(7): applications under 111Β(2)–(3) are examined «με διαδικασία ταχείας εξέτασης μη υπερβαίνουσας τους οκτώ (8) μήνες».
the highly skilled need 4 years with Greek at A2 or three years with B1S. 111Β(2): for highly skilled staff of companies named by the Council of Ministers — at least four years with Greek at A2 or three years with B1; absences of up to 90 days a year do not break the period.

Show all conditions (10)

the spouse of a Cypriot citizen needs 3 years of marriageS. 110(2)(β): the spouse «διαμένει με το/τη σύζυγο του στην Κύπρο για χρονικό διάστημα όχι μικρότερο των τριών χρόνων»; Ministry of Interior (M125): three years of marriage, the couple in Cyprus at least six months a year and at least two of the last three years.
filing by marriage costs €300The Ministry of Interior page on form M125: “For the submission of the application, a fee of €300 should be paid”.

Revenue stamps on the application

The ministry's page still asks for two revenue stamps on the application, although stamp duty in Cyprus was abolished from 1 January 2026. Check with the District Administration when booking whether they are still needed.

Sources

Civil Registry Law 141(Ι)/2002, ss. 110, 111Βwww.cylaw.orgNaturalisation conditions, the fast track, the 8-month limit, registration of a Cypriot citizen's spouse.
ΚΔΠ 401/2024 — fast-track feewww.cylaw.orgThe €5.000 fee under s. 111Β(7).
Ministry of Interior, form M127 — citizenship by years of residencewww.gov.cyWhere to file, signing before a court registrar, the €500 and €500 fees.
Ministry of Interior, form M125 — citizenship by marriagewww.gov.cyThree years of marriage, the six-months-a-year and two-of-three-years rule, filing from abroad, €300.