Set up a company in Cyprus as a foreign founder: cost, time and ownership
The usual company type for a foreign founder in Cyprus is the private limited company (Ltd). Minimum capital: None for private companies. Government fee: €165 Registrar fee to incorporate a company with share capital, plus €100 if you want the accelerated procedure (name approval is a separate step).
The private limited company (Ltd) in Cyprus, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | The limited liability company with shares is the most common type and can be private or public | companies.gov.cy |
| Members | A private company needs one to fifty members; no nationality condition is stated | companies.gov.cy |
| Minimum share capital | No minimum for private companies (public companies offering shares need €25,629) | companies.gov.cy |
| Government registration fee | €165 online for a company with share capital (€235 without share capital), paid by credit card | companies.gov.cy |
| Accelerated registration | An extra €100 buys the accelerated procedure; no processing time is stated | companies.gov.cy |
| Online registration | Applications can be filed online through the Registrar's e-filing system, after registering as an e-filing user | companies.gov.cy |
| Cyprus lawyer required | The memorandum and articles must be drafted by a lawyer practising in Cyprus, who makes the HE1 statement | businessincyprus.gov.cy |
| Local director | At least one director aged 18 or over; no residency condition is stated | companies.gov.cy |
| Company secretary | A secretary aged 18 or over is required; the director may double as secretary only in a one-member, one-director private company | companies.gov.cy |
| Registered address | A registered office in Cyprus is required and cannot be a mailbox | companies.gov.cy |
| Annual compliance | File the annual return with the financial statements within 28 days of its drafting date | companies.gov.cy |
| Annual fee | The Registrar's page says every company must pay a €350 annual fee by 30 June | companies.gov.cy |
Questions founders ask about Cyprus
- What is the minimum capital for a company in Cyprus?
- None for private companies.
- How much does it cost to register a company in Cyprus?
- €165 Registrar fee to incorporate a company with share capital, plus €100 if you want the accelerated procedure (name approval is a separate step).
- Do I need a local director in Cyprus?
- No Cyprus-resident director requirement appears on the Registrar's pages: at least one director aged 18 or over, plus a company secretary (the sole director can act as secretary only when there is one member and one director).
- Can I register a company in Cyprus from abroad?
- Yes, through the Registrar's e-filing system, but a lawyer practising in Cyprus must draft the memorandum and articles and swear the form HE1 statutory declaration before a court.
Other countries
Australia · Colombia · Estonia · Georgia · Hong Kong · Indonesia · Ireland · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Netherlands · Philippines · Portugal · Singapore · Spain · Thailand · United Arab Emirates · United Kingdom · Vietnam
To weigh the choice, read where to incorporate as a remote founder.
- Company type
- private limited liability company with shares (Ltd)
- Foreign ownership
- Not stated on the official pages reached: the Registrar sets no nationality condition on members in the pages read (one to fifty members), but no page says in terms that foreigners may own 100%
- Minimum capital
- None for private companies
- Government fee
- €165 Registrar fee to incorporate a company with share capital, plus €100 if you want the accelerated procedure (name approval is a separate step)
- Local director
- No Cyprus-resident director requirement appears on the Registrar's pages: at least one director aged 18 or over, plus a company secretary (the sole director can act as secretary only when there is one member and one director)
- Register from abroad
- Yes, through the Registrar's e-filing system, but a lawyer practising in Cyprus must draft the memorandum and articles and swear the form HE1 statutory declaration before a court
- Corporate tax
- Not confirmed: the Tax Department sites (tax.gov.cy, mof.gov.cy, gov.cy/tax) could not be reached in this check
- Official page
- companies.gov.cy
- Checked
Fees, capital rules and timings change. Check companies.gov.cy before you register, and get a written quote from any agent you use. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.