How powerful is the "golden passport", Cyprus passport?

Possessing a Cyprus passport means being able to travel around the 27 EU countries, work, study and enjoy social, medical and educational benefits in the host country like a local.

Cyprus (Cyprus island), is an island country in West Asia located in the south of the Anatolian peninsula, the third largest in the Mediterranean and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe with more than 2.4 million visitors a year.

The Republic of Cyprus is also one of the most prosperous countries in the region with a developed service economy, low crime rate, high quality of life, developed infrastructure, medical facilities, modern business, shopping, beautiful nature, mild climate and diverse education system, many private schools and English universities.

Rated as the safest country in Europe; 5th safest place in the world, Cyprus is an ideal place to invest, do business and live.

The Republic of Cyprus has the strategic location of the Mediterranean island nation, warm climate, excellent infrastructure, excellent tourism infrastructure and ideal tax policies for businesses.

According to the Passport Index 2020 (Passport Index), the Cyprus passport ranks 6th in the list of 10 most powerful passports in the world with 115 points.

This ranking is calculated based on the visa exemption index of each passport, i.e. the number of countries that the holder of that passport can visit without a visa or with an airport entry visa; at the same time, the Human Development Index (HDI) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is also a plus point to calculate the "power" of the passport.

Cyprus passport.

Possessing a Cyprus passport means being able to travel around the 27 EU countries, work, study and enjoy social, medical and educational benefits in the host country like a local.

In addition, this passport also helps its holder to travel to Canada and Australia for up to 90 days without a visa. It is for the above reasons that the Cyprus passport is considered a "golden passport".

More notably, the golden Cyprus passport can be owned in the form of real estate investment.

The Republic of Cyprus has two policies to issue "golden passports" to investors to settle down or have Cypriot citizenship.

The first, also the fastest and most secure way to get citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus - a European country is through the investment program.

A minimum investment of 2 million euros in real estate is a prerequisite, along with that is a contribution of 100,000 euros to the Government's Research and Development Fund as well as 100,000 euros to the Land Development Organization.

The Republic of Cyprus will offer citizenship to those who meet the above conditions within 6 months regardless of language proficiency or health.

However, in 2020, the Republic of Cyprus decided to suspend this "golden passport" program for wealthy investors following a series of scandals related to this scheme.

The second way, to be settled in the Republic of Cyprus through real estate investment, the country requires a minimum investment of 300 thousand euros, after which a visa will be issued within 2 months for the whole family.

This visa is valid for both the applicant's parents as well as spouses and children under the age of 25.

This permanent residence policy of the Republic of Cyprus allows passport holders to move freely within the EU and only need to visit the Republic of Cyprus once every 2 years for the whole family.

The investment can be through a company financed by the applicant or his/her spouse.