Can I set up a company in Cyprus?
Yes — anyone, including foreigners, can register a private limited company. Registration is with the Department of Registrar of Companies; incorporation typically takes 5–10 working days. First step is name approval, then filing the Memorandum & Articles and statutory forms (HE1, HE2, HE3). No minimum share capital — the standard structure is €1,000 in 1,000 shares of €1. The registration fee is about €165; stamp duty on Registrar documents was abolished from 1 Jan 2026. Corporate tax is 15% from 1 Jan 2026 (up from 12.5%), and the €350 annual levy is abolished. In short: yes, fast and with no minimum capital.
📋 The rules
- Register with the Registrar of Companies (~5–10 days)
- First name approval, then Memorandum/Articles
- No minimum capital (typically €1,000)
- Registration fee ~€165; stamp duty abolished
- Corporate tax 15% from 1 Jan 2026 (€350 levy abolished)
🔓 Exceptions
- Pillar Two groups (revenue ≥€750m): 15% minimum effective
- IP Box: effective rate as low as 2.5% on IP income
- Needs a director, shareholder, secretary & registered office in Cyprus
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Companies file an annual return (HE32) and audited financial statements; late filing triggers Registrar penalties and risk of being struck off. The registration fee is about €165, and corporate tax is 15% from 2026. Beware a myth: "Cyprus companies pay 12.5% corporate tax" is outdated — as of 1 January 2026 the headline rate is 15%. Tip: one person can hold multiple roles (director, shareholder, secretary), but you need a registered office in Cyprus.
📎 Official sources
- companies.gov.cy · incorporating a company →
- companies.gov.cy · forms & fees →
- PwC · Cyprus corporate tax →
❓ Frequently asked
How do I set up a company in Cyprus?
You register with the Department of Registrar of Companies. First you approve the name, then file the Memorandum and Articles of Association with the statutory forms. Incorporating a private limited company usually takes five to ten working days.
Is there a minimum capital?
No. A private limited company has no minimum share capital. The standard structure is €1,000 authorised capital in 1,000 shares of one euro, but no specific amount is mandatory.
How much is corporate tax?
From 1 January 2026, corporate income tax is 15 percent, raised from the old 12.5%, to align with the EU/OECD Pillar Two minimum tax. The €350 annual levy has been abolished.
What registration costs are there?
The government registration fee is about €165, with routes ranging roughly €105 to €170. Stamp duty on documents filed with the Registrar of Companies was abolished from 1 January 2026.
What officers does the company need?
A private company needs at least one director, one shareholder, a secretary and a registered office in Cyprus. One person can hold several of these roles, but a Cyprus registered office is required.
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