Cyprus.

Naturalisation by Council of Ministers decision, without residence: 2007-2013 under para 2(στ) of the Third Schedule of the Civil Registry Law (exceptional services), from 30 Apr 2013 under art. 111A(2) (Law 36(I)/2013), from 18 Aug 2020 under regulations ΚΔΠ 379/2020. Criteria changed 12 times by Council decisions. Abolished by decision of 13 Oct 2020: no applications after 31 Oct 2020; pending ones approved until 31 Jul 2021. 6,779 naturalisations to 17 Aug 2020 (inquiry); 3,517 investors and 3,810 family members to 31 Jul 2021 (Audit Office). Art. 111A(2) deleted by a law passed in late 2025 or early 2026; EU infringement closed 11 Mar 2026.

Permanent residence (Immigration Permit) for third-country investors, issued by the Minister of Interior under Regulation 6(2); EUR 300,000 investment plus EUR 50,000 annual income (2023 criteria). No right to work except as director of the invested company. Card valid 10 years; right of residence unlimited. It does not lead to citizenship by itself; naturalisation needs years of actual residence under the ordinary rules (not researched here). Launch date not established: the Commission (2019) gives 2016, but the 2023 criteria imply the scheme existed by 2013; legal basis Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations (published 22 Dec 1972), a general discretionary clause. Pre-2021 terms not verified. No official numbers of permits found.