Cyprus Citizenship by Naturalisation: M127 and M125 Guide

Cyprus citizenship is obtained only through a lawful route and approval. Residence, marriage, descent and registration procedures are distinct; property investment and permanent residence do not buy or guarantee a passport.

Naturalisation after years of residence: M127

For the ordinary M127 route, the applicant must have lawful and continuous physical residence during the 12 months immediately before applying, with total absences in that period not exceeding 90 days. Separately, in the ten years immediately preceding that final period, the applicant must have accumulated at least seven years of lawful residence.

The route also includes good character, Greek-language ability, knowledge of contemporary Cyprus social and political reality, suitable accommodation, stable and regular financial resources and an intention to reside in the Republic.

High-skilled M127 route

Qualifying high-skilled employees can use reduced accumulated-residence periods of four or three years depending on A2 or B1 Greek, provided the official employee and employer conditions are met. The final 12-month period and the remaining statutory conditions still apply. An accelerated examination option has its own fee and conditions and does not guarantee approval.

Marriage or civil partnership: M125

A foreign spouse or civil partner can apply after at least three years of marriage or civil partnership. Where the couple resides in Cyprus, the current procedure requires at least six months of stay in each of the preceding three years and at least two years in total during that period. Permanently overseas couples use the separate overseas limb. Marriage creates eligibility to apply, not automatic citizenship.

Descent and other registration routes

Citizenship by descent depends on parentage, birth date, place and the applicable form. The evidence and route should be identified before filing; a general article cannot replace the correct birth or descent procedure.

Evidence and timing

Use the current official form and checklist for the selected route. Residence records, absences, tax and social-insurance evidence, criminal records, language and knowledge certificates, family records and certified foreign documents must be consistent. Processing time depends on the route and file; no universal approval period should be promised.

No current citizenship by investment

The former Cyprus Investment Programme stopped accepting new applications on 1 November 2020. Its investment and donation thresholds cannot be used for a current application. Regulation 6(2) grants permanent residence only.