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Papers · Cyprus
Updated September 2026

🏳️ How do I apply for citizenship, and who helps with the application?

Direct answer

Naturalisation has conditions (years of lawful residence, language level, integration test, income, no serious record), a procedure (application at Τμήμα Αρχείου Πληθυσμού και Μετανάστευσης (22 308100), fee, interview, a decision within a legal deadline that is often exceeded), and consequences you should check first — whether you may keep your current nationality. Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος (cyprusbarassociation.org) confirms your registration history, which is the proof of residence years. Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων (22 405500) advises for free if the case is complicated (gaps, a refusal, a criminal record).

Call firstΤμήμα Αρχείου Πληθυσμού και Μετανάστευσης
Report toΝομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος
If that failsΕπίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων

🗣️ What to say

"I have lived lawfully in Cyprus since [date] and hold [permit]. I would like to apply for naturalisation. Which conditions apply to my case, which documents do you need, what is the fee and the expected processing time?"

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check the conditionsYears, language level, test, income. Τμήμα Αρχείου Πληθυσμού και Μετανάστευσης's site has a checklist; migrant-support organisations run free info sessions.
  2. Collect proofRegistration history from Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος, permits, language certificate, tax and income records, birth certificate with apostille and translation.
  3. Dual nationality?Check both countries' rules before applying; some require renunciation, some do not.
  4. Apply at Τμήμα Αρχείου Πληθυσμού και ΜετανάστευσηςFee is due at filing. Ask for the legal decision deadline and note it.
  5. Refused: objectWithin the deadline, with reasons; Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων helps. Many refusals are about missing documents, not eligibility.

📇 All contacts

Τμήμα Αρχείου Πληθυσμού και ΜετανάστευσηςResidence permits, naturalisationFor residence and citizenship📞 22 308100🔗 www.moi.gov.cy/crmd
Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός ΣύλλογοςFree lawyer for low incomesWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.cyprusbarassociation.org
Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων ΔικαιωμάτωνComplaints about public services, freeWhen the administration does not answer or acts unfairly📞 22 405500🔗 www.ombudsman.gov.cy
Δήμος / Κοινοτικό ΣυμβούλιοNuisances, roads, waste, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 www.ucm.org.cy

❓ Frequently asked

Do my children get citizenship too?

Usually included in the parent's application if minors and living with you; ask to add them explicitly.

I was abroad for a year in between

Long absences can break the residence count; check the rule for Cyprus before you apply, and explain the reason if allowed.

How long does it take?

From several months to a couple of years. The legal deadline gives you a lever (notice of default) if it is exceeded.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “apply citizenship Cyprus”
  • “naturalisation requirements Cyprus”
  • “citizenship test language level”
  • “dual nationality allowed Cyprus”
  • “naturalisation refused appeal”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

⏳Residence permit delay→🔢National ID number→📜Apostille→🎓Diploma recognition→

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