Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa

Living in Cyprus as a digital nomad

Cyprus is a great choice for a digital nomad hub. It covers all of your needs as a remote worker. The climate is warm, the quality of life is fantastic, plus the majority of people talk English!

In October of 2021, the government of Cyprus approved the introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa Scheme. The Scheme’s goal is to strengthen Cyprus as a center for the provision of electronic services. By attracting digital nomads, they wish to contribute to the development of the business ecosystem and the economic development of the country.

Many foreigners now work remotely and the appeal of working from new and fascinating destinations just keeps getting stronger. Cyprus has stepped up and has a lot to offer digital nomads and other remote workers.

Even before the pandemic, Cyprus was already a good place for nomads to live. It has a great quality of life and many business start-ups and taxation advantages.

Attractions and best places to visit

Cyprus has stunning landscapes and many places that are worth visiting. This island country attracts many tourists each year. It is a wonderful place to go hiking, visit historical places, and even learn about intriguing flora and fauna. The best part is that the island is so small you can easily base yourself in town and head out sightseeing on day trips.

Cyprus has many ancient sites, but one of the most remarkable is Paphos. It is known as a hub of culture and history. This city has many things to visit with modern resorts, ancient ruins, and many activities for all types of people.

You can visit the Paphos Castle, which was built as a medieval fort. It guarded Paphos Harbour while it was ruled by the Byzantine Empire. The castle has a huge tower, prison cells, and rooftop battlements. You should also visit Paphos Old Town, which is a beautiful seaside destination with beaches and a harbor. The Old Town is completely walkable and there are many shops, restaurants, and other local businesses.

Limassol is another beautiful destination where you can enjoy the simple pleasures of the Mediterranean lifestyle. It has clean sandy beaches, ancient castles, and more! If you find yourself in Limassol, you should make sure to visit Kourion, a UNESCO-protected archeology park. The grand monuments found there date back to the Greco-Roman period. The Kolossi Castle is another must-see destination when visiting Limassol. It was built in 1210 AD by the Knights of St. John. Even though it is small, it is a fascinating place to visit.

Larnaca is the wine capital of Cyprus, a seaside resort with beaches and churches, and many more things. You can visit Agios Lazaros, which is rumored to be the place where Lazarus lived after he came back from the dead. If you enjoy nature, then Hala Sultan Tekke is the perfect place for you. It is an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims. There is a stunning mosque building that dates back to 1816, built by the Ottomans. Plus, Larnaca’s Salt Lake is a nature reserve, and during Spring many flamingos and ducks can be seen in it.

And of course, the best place to visit in Cyprus is Nicosia. It is the capital city and it is fascinating. The southern half of the city belongs to the Republic of Cyprus, while North Nicosia is the capital of the UN-unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

There are many interesting things to see in Nicosia. There are museums, fortifications, churches, and beautiful mosques.

Digital Nomad Hotspots

As the capital city, Nicosia is the main hub for many digital nomads. Nicosia is the best place to settle down and get work done. Since the island country is so small, you can easily travel from Nicosia to all the other destinations on the island.

Visiting Nicosia’s Old Town is such a pleasure! Ledra Street (the main street of the town) is lined with many cafés, restaurants, and shops. Walking through the alleyways you’ll find yourself surrounded by Ottoman architecture. The town has many hidden secrets and it is exciting to walk around and discover all of them.

Limassol is a big city and a big hotspot for many digital nomads. It is safe and there are many things to do there. You can have the perfect balance between working and sightseeing.

Cost of Living

The quality of life in Cyprus is really good and the cost of living is much lower than in similar countries.

The official currency of Cyprus is the euro, however, many touristic hotspots accept foreign currency like UK pounds or US dollars. Additionally, you can find ATMs in the smallest villages and towns. As long as your card has a 4-digit PIN, you can withdraw cash with no problem.

The best places to exchange currency is at local banks. Avoid exchanging at the airport, as the rate will be higher. It is better to head over to The Bank of Cyprus.

You can rent a furnished studio apartment for $780/month. If you’re willing to live in the less popular area, you can rent a furnished studio apartment for $601/month. For bigger apartments, you can find furnished accommodations for $908/month.

A basic lunchtime menu (including a drink), costs around $16. Menus at fast-food restaurants cost around $8.

The town is small enough that you easily move around on foot or on a bike. If you wish to visit other places around the island, you can travel by bus or taxi. Cyprus does not have a train or underground metro system. You can also rent a car at the offices which are found in small towns and the airport.s

Digital Nomad Essentials

Cyprus has many benefits for digital nomads. It has a great quality of life and many business start-ups and taxation advantages. Cyprus taxation scheme allows digital nomads to become tax residences within 60 days.

Cyprus has a great mobile and internet providers. The major internet providers are Cytanet, PrimeTel, and MTN. Mobile internet in Cyprus is only available in cities and suburban areas. Rural areas have limited 3G and 4G coverage.

You can get a prepaid SIM card for $16 and you can easily add credit to your balance by purchasing a voucher online or in selected kiosks.

The digital nomad visa for Cyprus was first introduced in October 2021, with a ceiling of 100 residence permits to be issued. However, as of March 2022, the Council of Ministers has increased the ceiling to 500 residence permits.

Current travel restrictions

Cyprus is now ready to welcome visitors from many countries! The country established a color-coded system based on the ECDC maps. So based on your countries, the requirements will vary. You can check the map here.

How much does it cost?

There is an issuance fee of €70 ($78). The renewal of the visa has the same cost.

Paying Taxes on a Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa

If you consider spending more than 183 days in Cyprus, you will have to account for taxes as well. The reason for this is that, in this case, Cyprus will consider you a tax resident. Yet, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You might be able to benefit from Cyprus’ beneficial tax regime. Another interesting fact is that even if you only live 60 days in Cyprus, you could still become a tax resident of Cyprus.

This can be interesting for digital nomads who don’t want to spend too much time in the country but who still want to benefit from the favorable taxes. Yet, in this case, there will be more conditions you need to take into account. If you want to learn more about how becoming a tax resident in Cyprus might benefit you, you can book a call with our tax advisor, who will explain to you the ins and outs.

Timeline for Applying for the Digital Nomad Visa for Cyprus

Unfortunately, the waiting time can be long. The government website promises a time of examination between 5 to 7 weeks. However, it can take from two to three months to receive an answer about your visa application.

Curious about other digital nomad visa options? Why not check out Dominica or Norway. Or plug all your details into our Visa Wizard to see all the options available to you.