Can I open a company in Cyprus online, without visiting?

Yes. A Cyprus lawyer handles the name approval, documents and filing, and the Registrar accepts e-filing. You usually only need to meet the bank, in person or by video, when opening the company account.

Do I need a lawyer to open a company in Cyprus?

Yes. Only a lawyer licensed by the Cyprus Bar Association can prepare and sign the incorporation documents, and the HE1 statutory declaration is sworn by the lawyer.

What type of company should I choose?

A private limited company by shares (Ltd). It's the default for trading, consulting and holding. The other four types — public, two kinds of guarantee company and variable capital investment company — are for specialist cases.

What documents do I need?

Usually: a certified copy of your passport, proof of address (a recent utility bill or bank statement), a short description of the business, and details of each shareholder and director. The bank will later ask for source-of-funds evidence and a business plan.

Can I set up a business in Cyprus from the UK?

Yes. A Cyprus lawyer can form the company while you're still in the UK, and you sign the documents remotely. Whether it's a good idea depends on where you'll live: a company you run from the UK is likely to be UK resident for tax.

How do I register a company name in Cyprus?

Your lawyer applies to the Registrar of Companies for name approval: €10 standard or €30 expedited. The name must end in Ltd or Limited, can't be too close to an existing name, and is held for 6 months once approved.

How can I find information about a company registered in Cyprus?

Search the Registrar of Companies' free online business registry. It shows the company's registration number, status, registered office and officers; certified extracts cost extra.

Why would someone register a company in Cyprus?

For 15% corporate tax, 0% SDC on dividends for non-dom owners, no Cyprus tax on gains from selling shares, English-speaking professionals and an EU base with the euro. The benefits only hold if the company is really run from Cyprus.

Can I be a sole trader in Cyprus instead?

Yes. You register as self-employed with the Tax Department and Social Insurance Services and pay income tax, 16.6% social insurance and 4% GeSY on your profit. Above about €30,000 of profit a company usually costs less for a non-dom; see the sole trader vs company example.

How long does it take?

About 6–10 working days from name application to Certificate of Incorporation with expedited processing. Standard processing can take 2–3 weeks. Allow 2–4 weeks until you have a TIN, VAT number (if needed) and bank account.

What are the yearly costs?

There's no annual levy any more (the €350 levy was abolished from 2024). Budget for the annual return (€20), bookkeeping (about €80–€150 a month), an audit or review (about €1,000–€2,000 for a small company), VAT returns if registered, and a company secretary.

What is the minimum share capital?

There's no minimum for a private company. Most start with 1,000 shares of €1 (€1,000). A public company needs at least €25,629.

Is there still stamp duty on forming a company?

Government stamp duty was abolished from 1 January 2026. The Cyprus Bar Association stamp on the HE1 form (€49 for €1,000 share capital) still applies.

Do I need a company secretary?

Yes. Every Cyprus company must have one. Your law firm or accountant usually provides this as part of an annual package.

Can one person own and run the whole company?

Yes. One person can be the only shareholder and the only director. You still need a separate company secretary.

Do I need a registered office in Cyprus?

Yes. Every company needs a Cyprus address for official post. Changing it later costs €20 (form HE2). A registered-office address alone isn't a place of business, which matters for substance.

Do I have to register beneficial owners?

Yes. Every company must register its beneficial owners (people with more than 25%) with the Registrar's beneficial ownership register.

How are dividends taxed if I live in Cyprus?

If you're Cyprus tax resident and non-domiciled, dividends carry 0% Special Defence Contribution and the 2.65% GeSY health contribution (capped at €180,000 of income). Cyprus-domiciled residents pay 5% SDC on dividends from 2026 profits. See our non-dom guide or the short non-dom definition.

When do I need to register for VAT?

When taxable sales pass €15,600 in the previous 12 months, or will in the next 30 days. Selling services to EU businesses usually means registering from the start. The standard rate is 19%. Read our Cyprus VAT mistakes article.

Does every Cyprus company need an audit?

Yes, every company needs audited accounts, but small companies within the turnover and €500,000 asset limits for two years in a row can choose a cheaper review instead. Sources differ on whether the turnover limit is now €300,000 or still €200,000.

When is the company tax return due?

From the 2026 tax year, the company return is due by 31 January of the second year after the tax year (for 2026, 31 January 2028). Provisional tax is paid on 31 July and 31 December of the tax year.

What changed in the 2026 Cyprus tax reform?

For companies: corporate tax rose from 12.5% to 15%, deemed dividend distribution was abolished for 2026 profits, stamp duty went, and the tax return moved to 31 January of the second year after. For individuals: the tax-free band rose to €22,000 and SDC on dividends for Cyprus-domiciled residents fell from 17% to 5%.

Is Cyprus 0% income tax?

No. The first €22,000 of personal income is taxed at 0% from 2026, then rates run from 20% to 35%. A non-domiciled resident pays no income tax or SDC on dividends, only the 2.65% GeSY contribution. More personal tax questions are answered in our Cyprus tax FAQ for expats.

Which banks open accounts for new companies?

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank (which absorbed Hellenic Bank in 2025) are the largest. Others include Alpha Bank Cyprus and the Cyprus Development Bank. Each has its own appetite for new companies and non-resident owners.

Does opening a company in Cyprus give me residence?

No. UK-only passport holders need a separate permit. Founders usually use a work permit through a company of foreign interests (€200,000 investment and a salary of at least €2,500 a month), the start-up visa, the digital nomad visa or permanent residence. See our entrepreneurs hub.

Can I run my UK company and a Cyprus company at the same time?

Yes, but each must be managed where it's resident, and deals between them must be at arm's length. Read running a UK business from abroad.

Is Cyprus or Ireland better for a small company?

For an owner who will live in Cyprus and take dividends as a non-dom, Cyprus usually leaves more in your pocket. Our Cyprus vs Ireland comparison runs the numbers.

Which EU country is easiest to register a company in?

It depends on what you need. Ireland lets you file without a lawyer and UK citizens can live there freely; Cyprus needs a lawyer but usually leaves an owner who lives here with far more after tax. Compare the two in our Cyprus vs Ireland guide.

Open a Company in Cyprus: Your Questions Answered (2026)

Open a Company in Cyprus: The Questions UK Founders Ask

Yes, you can open a company in Cyprus from the UK without visiting. It costs about €1,900–€2,300 all in, takes 6–10 working days to incorporate, and needs a Cyprus lawyer. The answers below cover cost, directors, tax, banking and what the company does and doesn't do for your residence.

JJason 11 min read Last verified 27 September 2026

Get a company set up Read the full formation guide

The answers in 30 seconds

Anyone can open a company in Cyprus — no nationality or residency rule for shareholders or directors.

Registrar fee €165 (€265 expedited); about €1,900–€2,300 in total with a lawyer.

6–10 working days to incorporate; 2–4 weeks with bank account and tax numbers.

15% corporate tax from 1 January 2026. No annual levy since 2024.

A company is not a residence permit. UK-only passport holders need a separate permit to live here.

How to open a company in Cyprus in five steps

This is the usual order with expedited processing. The full detail is in our company formation guide.

01
Day 1
Pick a lawyer and a name
Choose a Cyprus lawyer and give them two or three name options ending in Ltd. Name approval costs €10 (or €30 expedited).
02
Days 1–3
Send your documents
Certified passport, proof of address, business description, and details of shareholders, directors and the secretary.
03
Days 3–5
Lawyer files with the Registrar
Memorandum and Articles plus forms HE1, HE2 and HE3. Fee €165, or €265 expedited.
04
Days 6–10
Company registered
The Registrar issues the Certificate of Incorporation. Order certified English copies for the bank.
05
Weeks 2–4
Tax, VAT and bank
Register for a TIN on the Tax For All portal, then VAT and Social Insurance if needed, and open the company bank account.

What opening a company in Cyprus does and doesn't do

A Cyprus company gives you a 15% corporate tax rate, an EU company that UK and EU clients can contract with, and — if you live here — a way to meet the business condition of the 60-day rule.

Two people meeting over coffee at a harbourside café in Paphos — Client coffee on the harbour front, with the fort behind

It doesn't give you the right to live in Cyprus, it doesn't stop the UK taxing it if you run it from the UK, and it doesn't remove UK tax on a UK company you keep. Most of the questions below come back to those three points. For wider questions about the move itself, see our moving to Cyprus FAQ.

The other thing founders underestimate is the admin. Every Cyprus company needs a company secretary, a registered office, audited or reviewed accounts and a yearly return to the Registrar. Budget €2,000–€5,000 a year for a small company's accounting and compliance, depending on how many transactions you have. A good Cyprus accountant is worth choosing before you incorporate, not after.

Myth

Out-of-date claims you'll still see on formation sites

Reality

"12.5% corporate tax" — it's been 15% since 1 January 2026.
"€350 annual company levy" — abolished from 2024.
"Stamp duty on your share capital" — government stamp duty went on 1 January 2026; only the €49 Bar Association stamp on form HE1 remains.
"Your company gets you residence" — it doesn't. UK-only passport holders need a separate permit, covered in our Cyprus residency FAQ.
"Incorporation in 3 months" — with expedited processing it's 6–10 working days; the bank account is the slow part.

If a quote or a website still shows any of these, ask what else hasn't been updated.

Opening a company in Cyprus: the basics

Yes. There's no nationality or residency requirement for shareholders or directors, so a UK citizen living in the UK can own 100% of a Cyprus company and be its sole director. A Cyprus-incorporated company is Cyprus resident by default, but if you run it from the UK, HMRC treats it as UK resident too, so the tax benefits only hold if it's managed from Cyprus.

A quiet old town street in Paphos on a spring morning with café chairs outside — Ktima, the old town, on a spring morning

Cost and timing

The Registrar charges €165 to incorporate (or €265 expedited) plus €10 for name approval (€30 expedited). Add the lawyer's fee (typically €1,200–€1,500 plus 19% VAT), a €49 Bar Association stamp, €160 for English Memorandum and Articles and about €80 for certificates. Most founders pay €1,900–€2,300 in total.

Quick reference: opening a company in Cyprus

Item	Figure (2026)
Registrar incorporation fee	€165 standard / €265 expedited
Name approval	€10 standard / €30 expedited; name held 6 months
Typical total cost	€1,900–€2,300
Time to incorporate	6–10 working days (expedited)
Minimum share capital (Ltd)	None; usually €1,000
Directors / secretary	At least 1 director + a secretary
Corporate tax	15% from 1 Jan 2026
VAT threshold	€15,600 in 12 months; standard rate 19%
Annual return (HE32)	€20; late: €50 + €1/day, max €150, + €20
Annual levy	Abolished from 2024

Sources: Registrar of Companies, businessincyprus.gov.cy, PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Professional fees are 2026 market ranges; get a written quote.

Cypriot coffee and a closed notebook on a mosaic table in a Paphos courtyard — Cypriot coffee always comes with a glass of water

Directors, secretary and structure

Not legally. A Cyprus company is Cyprus resident by default, but if you live in the UK and make all the decisions, HMRC treats it as UK resident too, and the UK–Cyprus treaty decides which country wins based on where it's really run. The strongest set-up is you living in Cyprus and acting as director. See our company substance guide.

Free introduction

Want a lawyer to handle it all?

We introduce you to a vetted Cyprus corporate lawyer who forms companies for UK clients, with a fixed written quote. The introduction is free.

Name, documents, filing and certificates
TIN, VAT and Social Insurance registration
Bank account application co-ordinated

Founder-led. Replies within one working day.

Tax, VAT and audit

15% from 1 January 2026, up from 12.5%. Gains on shares and securities are exempt, and dividends paid to non-resident shareholders generally carry no Cyprus withholding tax.

Limassol's seafront towers at blue hour seen from the coast road — Limassol, where many banks and larger firms are based, is along the coast to the east

Banking, residence and next steps

Usually 3–6 weeks with a complete application. Banks want certified English company documents, a business plan and evidence of source of funds for every director and 25%+ shareholder. Our company bank account service helps with the pack.

Ready to open your Cyprus company?

Get a free introduction to a vetted Cyprus corporate lawyer and accountant, or start with a relocation plan if you're moving too.

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Sources checked for this page

1.Registrar of Companies — Applying to incorporate a companyGovernment
2.Registrar of Companies — Forms & feesGovernment
3.Registrar of Companies — Types of companiesGovernment
4.Registrar of Companies — Late filing of annual returnsGovernment
5.businessincyprus.gov.cy — Start your businessGovernment
6.businessincyprus.gov.cy — Registering for income tax and VATGovernment
7.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Cyprus, taxes on corporate incomeProfessional
8.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Cyprus, tax administrationProfessional
9.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Cyprus, other taxes (VAT, social insurance)Professional
10.KPMG — Cyprus tax reform enacted, effective 1 January 2026Professional
11.Cyprus Tax Department — Special Defence Contribution (Greek)Government
12.Central Bank of Cyprus — Register of credit institutionsGovernment
13.Business Support Center (MECI) — Registration of companies with foreign interestsGovernment
14.HMRC International Manual INTM120060 — central management and controlGovernment
15.Registrar of Companies — eSearch in the Business Entities RegistryGovernment
16.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Cyprus, corporate residenceProfessional
17.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Cyprus, taxes on personal incomeProfessional
18.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Cyprus, individual other taxes (social insurance, GeSY)Professional

Written by

Jason

Founder, Paphos Advisor

British founder who moved his family from the UK to Paphos in 2025. I write down what I learned doing it properly — the tax, the residency and the living-here detail — and introduce people to the specialists I’d use myself.

How I research and fact-check

Open a Company in Cyprus: The Questions UK Founders Ask

How to open a company in Cyprus in five steps

Pick a lawyer and a name

Send your documents

Lawyer files with the Registrar

Company registered

Tax, VAT and bank

What opening a company in Cyprus does and doesn't do

Opening a company in Cyprus: the basics

Can a foreigner open a company in Cyprus?

Can I open a company in Cyprus online, without visiting?

Do I need a lawyer to open a company in Cyprus?

What type of company should I choose?

What documents do I need?

Can I set up a business in Cyprus from the UK?

How do I register a company name in Cyprus?

How can I find information about a company registered in Cyprus?

Why would someone register a company in Cyprus?

Can I be a sole trader in Cyprus instead?

Cost and timing

How much does it cost to open a company in Cyprus?

How long does it take?

What are the yearly costs?

What is the minimum share capital?

Is there still stamp duty on forming a company?

Quick reference: opening a company in Cyprus

Directors, secretary and structure

Do I need a Cyprus-resident director?

Do I need a company secretary?

Can one person own and run the whole company?

Do I need a registered office in Cyprus?

Do I have to register beneficial owners?

Want a lawyer to handle it all?

Tax, VAT and audit

What is the corporate tax rate in Cyprus?

How are dividends taxed if I live in Cyprus?

When do I need to register for VAT?

Does every Cyprus company need an audit?

When is the company tax return due?

What changed in the 2026 Cyprus tax reform?

Is Cyprus 0% income tax?

Banking, residence and next steps

How long does it take to open a company bank account in Cyprus?

Which banks open accounts for new companies?

Does opening a company in Cyprus give me residence?

Can I run my UK company and a Cyprus company at the same time?

Is Cyprus or Ireland better for a small company?

Which EU country is easiest to register a company in?

Sources checked for this page

Keep reading

How to open a company in Cyprus in five steps

Pick a lawyer and a name

Send your documents

Lawyer files with the Registrar

Company registered

Tax, VAT and bank

What opening a company in Cyprus does and doesn't do

Opening a company in Cyprus: the basics

Can a foreigner open a company in Cyprus?

Can I open a company in Cyprus online, without visiting?

Do I need a lawyer to open a company in Cyprus?

What type of company should I choose?

What documents do I need?

Can I set up a business in Cyprus from the UK?

How do I register a company name in Cyprus?

How can I find information about a company registered in Cyprus?

Why would someone register a company in Cyprus?

Can I be a sole trader in Cyprus instead?

Cost and timing

How much does it cost to open a company in Cyprus?

How long does it take?

What are the yearly costs?

What is the minimum share capital?

Is there still stamp duty on forming a company?

Quick reference: opening a company in Cyprus

Directors, secretary and structure

Do I need a Cyprus-resident director?

Do I need a company secretary?

Can one person own and run the whole company?

Do I need a registered office in Cyprus?