HEADQUARTERING IN CYPRUS VIA THE FAST TRACK BUSINESS ACTIVATION MECHANISM

Headquartering and company relocation in Cyprus has become more attractive through the introduction of the framework known as the Fast-Track Business Activation mechanism (‘’FTBA’’), which was very recently implemented by the Cyprus Government in an attempt to further attract foreign businesses and to stimulate economic activity by promoting foreign investment to the island. This mechanism aims to facilitate the establishment and re-domiciliation of businesses from third (non-EU) countries to Cyprus as well as to provide fast and efficient services to new and existing entities of foreign interests wishing to speedily and efficiently establish presence in Cyprus.

Cyprus continues to be a preferred International Business Centre, from where foreigners can conduct their international business. This can be done through the establishment of a new company or by relocating/redomiciling an existing foreign company. In either case, such company can serve as their main or regional headquarters.

New development 

Headquartering and company relocation in Cyprus is now even more attractive through the introduction of the Fast Track Business Activation Mechanism (“FTBA”).

The FTBA was approved by the Council of Ministers on 3rd of September 2020 aiming to further attract foreign business to Cyprus as well as to provide fast and efficient services to foreign businesses wishing to establish presence in Cyprus.

Main benefits of FTBA

The FTBA is operated by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry (“MECI”) and includes the following ‘service package’:

• Assistance and accelerated procedures from a single point of contact to obtain all necessary local registrations for the establishment or redomiciliation of companies in Cyprus, including its registration, name approval, registration with the Social Insurance Registry, the Employers’ Registry, as well as registration with VAT and Income Tax.
• Guidance for establishment and operation of companies in Cyprus and provision of information for all the necessary permits required by the company in order to start operations.
• There are eligibility criteria for employing third-country (non-EU) nationals under more favourable provisions.
• Facilitation for an expedited issuance of the necessary residence and employment permits in Cyprus for third country nationals (and members of their family) required for the operation of companies in Cyprus.

Eligibility criteria for the Fast-Track Business Activation Mechanism

• Companies interested in joining the ‘’FTBA’’ mechanism should meet the quantitative and qualitative criteria below, thus contributing positively to the country’s economic growth: A new company is required to submit a reliable 5-year business plan as to the company’s goals, activities and strategy illustrating growth potential.
• Existing companies should have a minimum turnover of €500.000 per year for 3 out of the last 5 years of operation.
• Companies should have a physical presence in Cyprus, including establishment/operation of independent premises and staff that are separate from any private residence.

Eligibility criteria for employing third country nationals under more favourable provisions

• Most importantly, due to the recent revision of the policy for the issuance of residence and employment permits of third country nationals employed in companies of foreign interests registered in the Republic of Cyprus, facilitation services will be provided for residence and employment permits of third country nationals under certain conditions.
• In order for companies of foreign interest who either re-domicile in Cyprus under FTBA mechanism or are incorporated under this mechanism to employ third country nationals in Cyprus under more favourable provisions and to be registered as a company of foreign interests with the Migration Department the following should apply:
• Third country shareholders should own the majority of the company’s shares with the exception of companies that fall into the fields of shipping, high technology and innovation, pharmaceuticals, biogenetics and biotechnology.
• A foreign direct investment of capital amounting to at least €200.000, must be admitted to Cyprus from abroad for the purposes of operating the company.
• The establishment/operation of independent offices in Cyprus, housed in suitable premises, separate from any private housing or other office, except in the case of business co-habitation.
• Companies that meet the above criteria are eligible to employ third country nationals as Directors, middle management executives, key personnel or specialists with no restriction on the maximum duration of their stay in the Republic. Third country nationals employed in the above positions are able to exercise their right to family reunification.
• In such a case, third country nationals who are family members, (spouse and minor children), can enter and reside in Cyprus after the sponsor has followed the procedure for family reunification.
• Furthermore, the issuance of a temporary residence and employment permit for the above positions (Directors, key personnel and specialists) is allowed when the entry of the third country national into the Republic was made with a visa and not by previously securing an entry permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
• A company of foreign interests may also employ third country nationals as support staff but will need to follow the General Employment procedure by first securing the positive recommendation of the Department of Labour. A company may employ third country nationals in posts in this category at a rate of 30% of the total staff and subject to the so-called market test.
• The applications for joining the FTBA mechanism will be examined by a Committee while a due diligence check will be conducted on the companies and the shareholders wishing to join the Fast-Track mechanism. The Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry will grant the company the relevant certificate following the success of the application.

Creation of the Point of Single Contact (PSC), Cyprus

• The Ministry has also created a dedicated and specialized business support centre, the Point of Single Contact (PSC) which aims at improving the quality and breath of services provided in Cyprus to existing and new companies. In addition to operating the ‘’FTBA’’ mechanism, the PSC facilitates the establishment of businesses in the services sector and the cross-border provision of services within the internal market. The PSC established by the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry is meant to become the single interlocutor by fulfilling a coordinating role between service providers and competent authorities which will facilitate the establishment of businesses.

Why Cyprus?

• Cyprus is an attractive Solution for foreign Companies and due to its competitive advantages will provide fertile ground for attracting companies and investments. It is an international business centre and an ideal point of entry to the EU with a strategic location.
• As an EU member, it allows businesses to enter and do business from and within the EU and beyond. Cyprus has a transparent and attractive tax regime with competitive tax rates and a wide range of double taxation treaties with other countries, as well as a very low corporate tax rate of 12,5%. It has credible and highly reputable, advanced and stable business, banking and financial services and an efficient and transparent legal, financial and regulatory framework. It also has relatively low set-up and operation costs for companies. Apart from business advantages, it offers a high quality of life and an affordable Mediterranean lifestyle making it an ideal headquartering location. In addition, it offers excellent educational and healthcare system.

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