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Cyprus Tax Guide

EuropeLast verified October 2026Worldwide system

Top income tax
35%

Progressive 0-35%; first €22,000 tax-free (2026 reform, up from €19,500)

Capital gains
20%
Corporate
15%
VAT / GST
19%
Residency test
183 days
80/100Personal Tax ScoreVery Tax Friendly
85/100Business Tax ScoreVery Tax Friendly
Newcomer regimeNon-Dom RegimeNo Special Defence Contribution on dividends and interest for non-doms0%

In short

  • Limassol offers English-friendly EU residency, a sunny climate and a non-dom regime that makes dividends from a holding company tax-efficient.
  • Non-Dom Regime: No Special Defence Contribution on dividends and interest for non-doms (17 years).
  • Watch out: Limassol rents rose sharply after 2022, summers are very hot, and internet is slower than most EU capitals.

Verified October 2026 · 4 sources

Recent changes

  • 2026-10-31 addedPersonal tax-free band was missing from the 2026 reform coverage: added the raised threshold (€22,000, up from €19,500) and the full progressive bands (0/20/25/30/35%).
Full change log

Best for

  • Special regime available

    Non-Dom Regime — 17-year exemption from Special Defence Contribution (SDC) on foreign dividends and interest for qual…

Personal Income Tax

Residency, rates, foreign income, capital gains, wealth and inheritance, special regimes
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Tax Residency

Day Threshold
183 days
Note
183 days required; 60-day rule available for individuals meeting alternative tests

Income Tax Rates

Top Marginal Rate
35%
Structure
Progressive 0-35%; first €22,000 tax-free (2026 reform, up from €19,500)

Foreign Income Treatment

System
Worldwide
Details
Non-dom regime exempts foreign dividends and interest from SDC for 17 years from first year of residency

Investment Income

Capital Gains
20%
Dividends
0-5%%
Interest
0-17%%

20% on Cyprus real estate; gains on securities exempt


Wealth & Inheritance

Wealth Tax
No - No wealth tax
Inheritance Tax
No - No inheritance tax

Special Regimes

Non-Dom Regime
17-year exemption from Special Defence Contribution (SDC) on foreign dividends and interest for qualifying non-domiciled tax residents
60-Day Rule
Alternative residency test: 60 days in Cyprus, not >183 elsewhere, ties to Cyprus (business/employment/director) and a permanent home

Practical Notes

2026 reform raised the personal tax-free band to €22,000 (bands: 0% to €22,000, 20% to €32,000, 25% to €42,000, 30% to €72,000, 35% above), reduced SDC on dividends from 17% to 5% (for profits earned from 1 Jan 2026), abolished Deemed Dividend Distribution on 2026+ profits, and extended tax loss carry-forward from 5 to 7 years. Non-dom regime remains the headline draw. English widely spoken; EU member.

Business & Corporate Tax

Corporate rate, withholding, VAT, substance, Pillar Two and treaties
+

Corporate Income Tax

Headline Rate
15%
Effective Rate Note
15% from 1 Jan 2026 (up from 12.5% — 2026 tax reform, aligned with OECD global minimum). Tax losses now carry forward 7 years.
Free Zone / Incentives
No specific free zones but various incentives (IP Box, Notional Interest Deduction)

Withholding Taxes

Dividends
0%
Interest
0%
Royalties
0%

VAT / GST

Rate
19%
Note
19% VAT

Compliance & Substance

Substance Requirements
Moderate - substance requirements apply
Compliance Friction
Moderate - EU member, well-regulated

Notable Regimes

  • IP Box regime
  • Notional Interest Deduction
  • Tonnage tax (shipping)

OECD Pillar Two (15% global minimum tax)

LiveQDMTT from 31 Dec 2023

Implemented with delay; retroactive application to FYs starting on or after 31 Dec 2023. Separately, standard CIT raised from 12.5% to 15% from 1 Jan 2026 under broader 2026 reform.

See full implementation tracker

Tax Treaty Network

US treatyYes
UK treatyYes
US totalizationNo
Total treaties~70

US-Cyprus treaty in force. No US totalization. Cyprus non-dom regime coordinates with treaty residency — useful for US-citizen non-doms.

See full treaty matrix

Beyond tax

Living in Cyprus

Limassol offers English-friendly EU residency, a sunny climate and a non-dom regime that makes dividends from a holding company tax-efficient.

#13of 53 best places to live
Expat hub
Limassol
Monthly budget
~$3,200
Climate
Mediterranean, 20°C
Time zone
UTC+2
  • Tax80 → 95
  • Cost of living$$$
  • Safety78
  • Healthcare76
  • English85
  • Internet85 Mbps
  • Warm climate75
  • Residency access60
  • Scores 0-100, higher is better. Editorial composite ratings; see method.
Sweet spot🇨🇾 Cyprus← Heavier taxLighter tax →

Newcomer tax regime

Non-Dom Regime: 0%

No Special Defence Contribution on dividends and interest for non-doms. 17 years. Who qualifies: Cyprus tax residents who are not Cyprus domiciled.

Ways to get residency

  • Digital Nomad visa€3,500/month net income from abroad, capped number of permits
  • Permanent residence (fast-track)€300,000+ in new property plus secured annual income
  • Category F / visitor permitProof of sufficient secured annual income; no right to work

Watch out: Limassol rents rose sharply after 2022, summers are very hot, and internet is slower than most EU capitals.

See how Cyprus ranks for remote workers, retirees and families

Data Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Always check official sources before making a decision.

FAQ

What is the personal income tax rate in Cyprus?

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Cyprus has a top personal income tax rate of 35%. The tax structure is: Progressive 0-35%; first €22,000 tax-free (2026 reform, up from €19,500). See the detailed breakdown above and verify with official sources.

Do I need to pay tax on foreign income in Cyprus?

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Cyprus uses a worldwide system for foreign income. Non-dom regime exempts foreign dividends and interest from SDC for 17 years from first year of residency

What are the residency requirements for Cyprus?

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Tax residency in Cyprus generally requires 183 days of physical presence. 183 days required; 60-day rule available for individuals meeting alternative tests. Always verify current rules with official sources.

Is there a wealth tax in Cyprus?

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No, Cyprus does not have a wealth tax. No wealth tax

What is the corporate tax rate in Cyprus?

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The corporate tax rate in Cyprus is 15%. 15% from 1 Jan 2026 (up from 12.5% — 2026 tax reform, aligned with OECD global minimum). Tax losses now carry forward 7 years.

US citizen moving to Cyprus? Read this first.

Cyprus's top personal rate of 35% means the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) usually wins over FEIE for US citizens.

  • •FTC (Form 1116) credits Cyprus tax against US tax dollar-for-dollar. Because Cyprus tax exceeds US tax on the same income, you typically owe zero US tax and accumulate carryforward credits (10-year carry).
  • •Self-employment tax is owed in full to the US — no totalization agreement with Cyprus.
  • •For earned income near the FEIE cap (~$130k), FEIE is sometimes simpler administratively. Above the cap, FTC strategy almost always wins given Cyprus's rates.
  • •Cyprus residency days threshold: 183. Treaty tie-breaker rules (where applicable) help with double-tax avoidance.
Read the full US-citizen moving-abroad guide

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