Highly Skilled Employees
Eligible highly skilled employees working for qualifying companies in Cyprus may benefit from reduced residence requirements and may request accelerated examination of their naturalisation application under Article 111B(2).
ITMETA LTD assists with employment-status review, residence and absence calculations, Greek-language requirements, documentation and preparation of the M127 application.
Key Eligibility
4years
At least four years of cumulative legal residence during the relevant preceding period.
3years
At least three years of cumulative legal residence during the relevant preceding period.
The applicant must also satisfy the separate final 12-month legal and continuous residence requirement immediately before application.
During that final 12-month period, total absences of up to 90 days do not interrupt the qualifying period.
For the earlier 4-year / 3-year residence calculation, periods of absence not exceeding 90 days per year are treated according to the special highly skilled employee provisions.
Both residence periods must be assessed separately.
Employment
The applicant must be employed in a qualifying company both at the date of submission and when the application is examined.
Applicants under this category must have worked for a qualifying company for at least two years before submitting the naturalisation application.
Highly skilled employment may include:
Where required, evidence must confirm that the employer falls within the qualifying company framework.
BCS & Work PermitsResidence-Day Assessment
The final 12-month period and the earlier qualifying residence period must be calculated separately.
Request Residence-Day AssessmentLanguage Requirement
Under the highly skilled employee route, the applicant may demonstrate knowledge of the Greek language at A2 or B1 level.
The required prior residence period depends on the level: at least four years with A2, or at least three years with B1.
Acceptable evidence includes the certificates recognised under the current naturalisation procedure.
Examination
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the basic elements of the contemporary political and social reality of Cyprus.
Under the current procedure, this is demonstrated through the recognised examination administered by the competent Examination Service.
60%A passing score of at least 60% is required under the current procedure.
Character
Citizenship by naturalisation requires the applicant to be of good character.
The authorities may consider criminal-record information and other relevant circumstances when assessing this requirement.
Supporting documentation may include criminal record certificates and other evidence required under the M127 procedure.
Potential issues should be reviewed before the application is submitted.
Accommodation & Finances
Applicants must demonstrate suitable accommodation and stable and regular financial resources sufficient for themselves and their family members.
The examples listed are not exhaustive. The appropriate evidence depends on the applicant's circumstances.
Evidence may include:
Evidence may include:
The naturalisation framework also requires an intention to continue residing in the Republic.
The applicant’s overall circumstances should remain consistent with the statutory requirements.
Accelerated Examination
Eligible highly skilled employees and qualifying family members may request accelerated examination of their naturalisation application.
The €5,000 fee relates to accelerated examination and does not guarantee approval.
The citizenship decision remains exclusively with the competent Cyprus authorities.
Family
Qualifying family members may submit their naturalisation application together with or after the highly skilled employee, provided that they independently satisfy the applicable residence and language requirements.
Government Fees
€500
Official fee payable upon submission of the naturalisation application.
2 × €8.54
Two revenue stamps are currently required for the application.
€500
An additional official fee is payable for issuance of the naturalisation certificate after approval.
€5,000
Official fee payable only if accelerated examination is requested.
Government fees are separate from ITMETA LTD professional fees and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Our Process
We review your role, employer and employment history against the highly skilled employee criteria.
We calculate the final 12-month period and the earlier qualifying residence period separately.
We confirm the A2 or B1 Greek evidence and the Cyprus-knowledge examination requirement.
We prepare a tailored checklist and review the supporting documents.
The application is prepared for submission to the competent District Administration Office.
Where eligible, accelerated examination may be requested on payment of the official fee.
The citizenship decision is made solely by the competent Cyprus authorities.
FAQ
General answers only. Your specific circumstances are reviewed individually during consultation.
A2 Greek: at least 4 years of qualifying prior residence. B1 Greek: at least 3 years. A separate final 12-month residence requirement also applies.
No. The B1 route includes separate residence conditions, the final 12-month period, employment requirements and the other statutory naturalisation criteria.
At least two years before submission, and the qualifying employment conditions must also be satisfied at submission and examination.
For the relevant highly skilled employee category, the current framework includes a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,500 together with the applicable qualification or professional-experience requirements.
No. The special route allows A2 or B1. The residence period differs depending on the language level.
No. Eligible applicants may request accelerated examination by paying the €5,000 official fee.
No. It is an accelerated examination period, not a guarantee of citizenship.
A qualifying spouse or civil partner may apply together with or after the highly skilled employee, subject to their own applicable residence and language requirements.
Eligibility
Tell us about your employment, residence history, absences and Greek-language level. We can assess the earliest appropriate application route.
Consultation
Share a few details about your employment, residence history and Greek-language level. We will review them and outline the appropriate next steps.