Company formation for non-residents
We register a Private Limited Company (Ltd) - a limited liability company with full foreign ownership and access to the EU single market for trading, services, IT and holding structures. We prepare the incorporation documents, arrange the registered office and company secretary, handle tax registration and support the opening of a corporate account. The entire process is handled remotely by power of attorney, with no visit to Cyprus required.
A quick overview of the corporate, tax and annual requirements of the Cyprus jurisdiction for non-residents.
We register a Private Limited Company (Ltd), the main structure for international business in Cyprus. It suits trading, services, IT and holding structures, offers limited liability and is registered with the Registrar of Companies. The name must end in Ltd.
There are no nationality or residency restrictions on founders or shareholders. A Ltd can be wholly owned by a foreign individual or corporate entity, with no local partner required. A company may have from 1 to 50 shareholders, and only registered shares are permitted.
At least one director and one shareholder are required, and this may be the same person. A resident director is not required by law but is recommended for Cyprus tax residency. A company secretary, a registered office in Cyprus and beneficial owner registration are mandatory.
The corporate income tax rate is 15% from 2026, one of the lowest in the EU. Dividends received from abroad and dividends paid to non-resident shareholders are not subject to withholding tax. The standard VAT rate is 19%, with registration required once turnover reaches €15,600.
There is no statutory minimum share capital for a Private Limited Company. In practice a nominal amount of around €1,000 is stated. The capital stays within the company and is used for operating expenses, not paid as a government fee.
Annual financial statements under IFRS, the HE32 annual return to the Registrar of Companies and a tax return are required. An audit is mandatory for all companies. Very small companies (turnover up to €300,000 and assets up to €500,000 for two consecutive years) may replace it with a limited review. The annual levy to the Registrar is €350.
The final cost depends on the chosen package, the industry, the company structure and any additional tasks involved in the project.
Data current as of July 2026.
From basic incorporation to a full launch with corporate support and the opening of a bank account.
Company registration and address
Full registration support
With banking support
For launching a company with a prepared banking route and support through to the completion of the account opening process.
Important: banking support does not guarantee that an account will be opened. The final decision rests with the bank or EMI after reviewing the company profile and beneficial owners.
Cyprus suits projects that need a full EU company with access to the single market and to holding and IP structures, with 100% foreign ownership and fully remote registration.
A company for import, export and cross-border trade within the EU. A Cyprus entity operates in the eurozone and gives direct access to euro settlements, a VAT number and trade within the EU single market.
An entity for consulting, agency and professional services. Full foreign ownership and a transparent legal system based on English common law. Well suited to international teams serving clients worldwide.
Software development, SaaS and digital products. The IP Box regime reduces the effective tax rate on intellectual property income to around 2.5% and applies to copyrighted software as well.
Cyprus is one of the leading EU holding jurisdictions. Dividends from subsidiaries and gains on the sale of shareholdings are exempt from tax where conditions are met, which makes it convenient for group management and investment structuring.
Cyprus is a member of the EU, the eurozone and the OECD. A company operates within the same legal and financial framework as any EU business, with full access to the single market and EU directives.
More than 65 double tax treaties that reduce withholding tax on cross-border transactions, alongside the EU parent-subsidiary directive.
Registration without a visit to Cyprus, by power of attorney, including preparation of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and tax registration. There is no minimum share capital for a private company.
A corporate tax rate of 15% – one of the most competitive levels in the EU. No withholding tax on dividends, interest or royalties paid to non-residents, which simplifies profit repatriation.
To register a Private Limited Company you will need the participants' documents, at least one shareholder and one director, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and a unique name ending in Ltd. Beneficial owners are entered in the UBO register, and a registered office in Cyprus is required. Most of the preparation is handled remotely, by power of attorney.
The set of documents depends on the ownership structure. Registration is carried out under a notarised power of attorney with apostille or legalisation - there is no need to travel to Cyprus in person.
There are no nationality or residency restrictions on founders. A Ltd can be wholly owned by a foreign individual or corporate entity, with no local partner required. A company may have from 1 to 50 shareholders, and only registered shares are permitted.
At least one shareholder and one director are required, and this may be the same person. A resident director is not required by law but is recommended for Cyprus tax residency. A company secretary is mandatory and may be an individual or a corporate entity.
There is no statutory minimum share capital for a Private Limited Company. In practice a nominal amount of around €1,000 is stated. The capital need not be paid up front and is used for the company's operating expenses.
A company needs a registered office in Cyprus where official correspondence is received. The address appears on the public register, so a service provider's address is often used. Providing the address is included in our packages.
A company keeps its accounts under IFRS and files the HE32 annual return with the Registrar of Companies together with a tax return. An audit is mandatory for all companies. Very small companies may replace the full audit with a limited review.
Cyprus taxes the profits of resident companies on a worldwide basis. The overall burden depends on the level of profit, the reliefs available and the timely filing of returns with the Registrar of Companies and the Tax Department.
15%
The standard corporate tax rate is 15% from 2026, one of the lowest in the EU. Dividends from foreign subsidiaries are exempt where conditions are met.
Worldwide
A resident company is taxed on its worldwide profits. A company is treated as resident if managed and controlled in Cyprus, and from 2026 also by virtue of incorporation in Cyprus.
by 31 January
From the 2026 tax year the corporate tax return is filed by 31 January of the second year following. Provisional tax is paid in two instalments.
0%
Dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-residents are not subject to withholding tax. This simplifies profit repatriation and makes Cyprus a convenient holding jurisdiction.
The standard rate is 15%. For intellectual property income, the IP Box regime reduces the effective rate to around 2.5%, including income from copyrighted software.
A company managed and controlled in Cyprus is treated as a tax resident. From 2026 a company incorporated in Cyprus is also treated as resident.
The standard VAT rate is 19%. Registration is mandatory once turnover reaches €15,600 over 12 months, and voluntary registration is available earlier.
Dividends from subsidiaries and gains on the sale of shareholdings are exempt from tax where conditions are met. There is a network of more than 65 tax treaties.
Keep accounts and prepare annual financial statements under IFRS
Undergo a mandatory audit of the financial statements by a licensed auditor
File the HE32 annual return with the Registrar of Companies
File the corporate tax return by 31 January of the second year following
Pay provisional tax in two instalments: 31 July and 31 December
Register for VAT once turnover reaches €15,600 and file VAT returns
Pay the annual levy to the Registrar of Companies: €350
An audit of the financial statements is mandatory for all companies, though very small companies may replace it with a limited review. Dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-residents are not subject to withholding tax, subject to EU directives and tax treaties.
Data current as of July 2026.
The banking route depends on the company's activity, the geography of payments and the profile of the beneficial owners. Non-residents can use Cyprus banks and European EMI providers with IBAN details and SEPA access, as well as payment acceptance solutions.
For day-to-day operations and euro settlements. We select a bank or EMI provider to match the company profile, including Bank of Cyprus, Eurobank, Alpha Bank, as well as Revolut Business, Wise and EcommBX.
For retail sales and working with online platforms. Card and payment-link acceptance, and for integration into a website or app, the Stripe and PayPal payment gateways.
We prepare the company profile before submission, so the bank's requirements are addressed in advance and the client review under KYC and AML standards runs smoothly.
We will assess the activity, the geography of payments and the banks' requirements before submission.
We support the project from the initial review through to receiving the corporate documents and completing any agreed additional tasks. We act as your corporate agent under Cyprus requirements.
We review the ownership structure, the participants, the intended activity and the source documents, and check the requirements for beneficial owners and apostille before work begins.
We check and approve the name, prepare the Memorandum and Articles of Association, handle the notarial procedure by power of attorney and file with the Registrar of Companies through to receiving the incorporation certificates.
A resident director is not required by law. We arrange the mandatory company secretary and a registered office in Cyprus, and enter the beneficial owners in the UBO register in line with the chosen package.
We register the company for tax and obtain a tax number, and where required assist with VAT registration and support the opening of an account.
The process includes an initial review, name approval, document preparation, the notarial procedure by power of attorney and filing with the Registrar of Companies. Most of the stages are completed remotely.
Cyprus does not solve every task. For some projects another European jurisdiction or a classic offshore is a better fit, and we will help you choose the right one.
A Cyprus company gives access to the EU single market, but full relocation requires a real presence, a local team and separate immigration programmes. If the priority is residency and living in the country, it is worth comparing countries with well-developed residency programmes.
Worth considering: Portugal, Hungary, Spain
The corporate tax rate in Cyprus is 15% from 2026. If holding or dividend exemptions do not apply and a zero rate on profit is needed, it is worth comparing classic offshores.
Worth considering: BVI, Belize, Seychelles
A Cyprus company keeps accounts under IFRS, undergoes a mandatory audit and files annual statements. For passive structures where minimal administration and no audit matter most, classic offshores are simpler.
Worth considering: Panama, Belize, BVI
Cyprus is a reliable and well-recognised EU jurisdiction, but for certain tasks a top-tier common law environment matters more. If the priority is global reputation and common law, it is worth comparing other options.
Worth considering: United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore
Not sure whether Cyprus suits your project? In a consultation we will assess the task honestly and suggest the optimal jurisdiction, even if it turns out not to be Cyprus.
If Cyprus is not a full fit on structure, tax burden or running costs, compare the alternatives on the key parameters.
| Jurisdiction | Best suited for | Taxes | Administration | Banking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hungary | Best suited for IT, trade, holding and low-tax business in the EU. | Taxes A 9% rate, the lowest in the EU, and no withholding tax. | Administration Moderate, digital filing via the NAV tax authority, EU standards. | Banking EU banks and fintech, SEPA access. |
 Lithuania | Best suited for IT, fintech, trade and e-commerce with SEPA access. | Taxes A 17% rate, a reduced 7% and 0% for the first two years for small companies. | Administration Moderate, audit only when thresholds are exceeded. | Banking EU banks and fintech, strong EMI infrastructure. |
 Portugal | Best suited for Business in the EU, IT, services, relocation and residency. | Taxes A rate of around 20%, with a reduced rate for small companies. | Administration Moderate, audit only when thresholds are exceeded. | Banking EU banks and fintech, SEPA access. |
 Ireland | Best suited for IT, SaaS, pharma and European headquarters. | Taxes A 12.5% rate on trading income, one of the lowest in the EU. | Administration Moderate, audit only when thresholds are exceeded. | Banking EU banks and fintech, strict compliance. |
We will help you compare jurisdictions on taxes, banking, annual costs and structural requirements for your specific task.
Every project is unique - we tailor the solution to each client's specific task, jurisdiction and business model.
Cyprus The team was building a SaaS platform and wanted to launch on the EU market. Most of the revenue came from licensing its own software, and it was important to reduce the tax on that income legally. They needed a European company with a transparent structure and access to payment systems.
Solution: We registered a Ltd, arranged the company secretary and registered office, and completed tax registration. We helped structure the licensing income under the IP Box regime, which lowers the effective rate on software income. The account was opened with Revolut Business, with a Cyprus bank application submitted in parallel.
Our biggest worry was the tax on licences - we thought it would eat into the whole product economics. The team structured it so that software income is taxed at a low rate, all fully documented. We went into the investor talks with a ready European company.
Cyprus The client owned several operating companies in different countries and wanted to bring them under one European holding structure. The aim was to receive dividends from the subsidiaries and manage the group from a single point, without unnecessary tax at the holding level.
Solution: We registered a Ltd as a holding company and set up the ownership of shares in the subsidiaries. Dividends from subsidiaries are exempt from tax in Cyprus where conditions are met, and the tax treaty network reduces withholding tax. We helped with the secretary, the registered office and opening an account for the holding profile.
Holding five companies across jurisdictions was inconvenient and expensive on tax. We brought everything under a Cyprus holding, and dividends from the subsidiaries now arrive without losses at the holding level. Managing the group became simpler, and the structure is clear to banks.
Cyprus The client ran wholesale supplies of goods, working with suppliers in Asia and buyers in the EU. They needed a European company for contracts, euro settlements and customs clearance. From a personal account, large international payments were regularly flagged for review.
Solution: We registered a Ltd, arranged the registered office and secretary, and completed tax and VAT registration for operations within the EU. For settlements in euros and dollars we opened an account with SEPA and SWIFT access, with a second account as a backup in Wise. We helped compile the file for the bank under a foreign-trade profile.
I was worried about the international payments - I thought the banks would query every transaction with suppliers in Asia. In practice, with a ready file and a clear company profile, the review went smoothly. The contracts are now with a European entity, which is far more convenient for partners.
If you have not found the answer to your question, leave a request and we will look into your situation personally.
Get a consultationWith a complete set of documents and the power of attorney in place, registering a Ltd with the Registrar of Companies usually takes 5 to 10 working days. Including document preparation and the notarial procedure, the full cycle takes from 5 working days. Account opening is handled separately and is not part of the registration time, as it depends on the bank's or EMI's review.
Yes, registration is carried out remotely under a notarised power of attorney with apostille or legalisation. There is no need to travel to Cyprus in person to register. The incorporation documents are prepared by a licensed lawyer, and the client's involvement comes down to providing documents and confirming details.
The main structure for international business is the Private Limited Company (Ltd), a limited liability company. It allows 100% foreign ownership, has from 1 to 50 shareholders and only registered shares. The company name must end in Ltd.
There is no statutory minimum share capital for a Private Limited Company. In practice a nominal amount of around €1,000 is stated. The capital need not be paid up front - it stays within the company and is used for operating expenses, and it is not a government fee.
The corporate income tax rate is 15% from 2026, one of the lowest in the EU. Dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-residents are not subject to withholding tax. The standard VAT rate is 19%, with registration required once turnover reaches €15,600. An IP Box regime applies to intellectual property income.
No, a company can use either a Cyprus bank or a European EMI provider with IBAN details and SEPA access. Many companies open an account with Revolut Business or Wise for day-to-day operations and add a traditional bank in parallel. The choice of route depends on the company's activity and the profile of the beneficial owners.
A company keeps its accounts under IFRS and prepares annual financial statements. An audit of the financial statements is mandatory for all companies, though very small companies may replace it with a limited review. The HE32 annual return is filed with the Registrar of Companies together with a tax return, and an annual levy of €350 is paid to the Registrar.
A Cyprus company can carry out most types of activity without restrictions. Regulated areas such as financial, investment and payment services require separate licences. Complex and non-standard niches are reviewed individually before work begins.
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