Cyprus’s published investor permit grants permanent residence
Edward Nguyen
Limassol Marina, Cyprus — illustration.
Cyprus closed its citizenship-by-investment programme in 2020; its published investor residence criteria require at least €300,000 of investment and a secured annual income.
Cyprus ended its citizenship-by-investment programme in 2020. What its Migration Department publishes for investors today is a permanent residence permit, which requires at least €300,000 of investment and a secured annual income. In a Google autocomplete check for Vietnamese users on 27 September 2026, the query for Cypriot citizenship was completed with questions about its cost.
The citizenship-by-investment programme closed in 2020
The Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus stated on 11 March 2026 that the government terminated the Cyprus Investment Programme in 2020, that the Council of Ministers revoked a number of citizenships granted under it, and that the European Commission had closed the infringement procedure it opened over the programme.
The investor route published now is different in kind. The Migration Department’s page on immigration permits for investors, posted on 29 December 2025 and updated on 18 March 2026, sets out permanent residence under Regulation 6(2), in its fourth revision in force since 2 May 2023. It requires an investment of at least €300,000 and a secured annual income of at least €50,000, rising by €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 for each dependent minor child. The page offers a residence permit; it does not offer citizenship.
What the search suggestions show
In a Google autocomplete check on 27 September 2026, using Vietnamese-language and Vietnam-region settings, suggestions for “quốc tịch síp” (Cypriot citizenship) included “how much does it cost”. Those for “định cư síp” (settling in Cyprus) included “through real-estate investment”, “2026” and “how much”. For “síp”, the first two suggestions asked which country it was and where it was. For “đảo síp” (the island of Cyprus), the suggestions included “đảo síp nguyễn phương hằng”.
This records a suggested association in a single check. It establishes neither how many people search nor any fact about anyone’s circumstances.
What licensed Vietnamese press reported about one holder of Cypriot nationality
On 17 April 2022, Người Lao Động reported that Ho Chi Minh City police said Mrs Nguyễn Phương Hằng held the nationality of the Republic of Cyprus in addition to Vietnamese nationality. Dân trí reported the next day that investigators had established this while compiling her judicial record.
At her first-instance trial on 21 September 2023, she stated that she held Vietnamese and Cypriot nationality, VietNamNet reported.
The reports reviewed do not establish how or when she acquired that nationality, or any connection with the residence route discussed here.
Reported permit grants to Vietnamese nationals
Cyprus Mail reported on 30 May 2025 that the finance minister, in a letter to an opposition MP, put the number of such permits granted since 2014 at 28,660, including dependants. Of those, 412 went to Vietnamese nationals, eighth among the nationalities listed, against 10,100 to Chinese and 8,478 to Russian nationals. The Legation Times has not read the letter itself.
When Cyprus and Vietnam signed a double taxation treaty in December 2025, the Cypriot finance minister said about 4,000 Vietnamese nationals were working in Cyprus, Cyprus Mail reported.
What Vietnamese advertising law now asks of promoters
The State Audit Office’s official outline of Law 75/2025/QH15 amending the Advertising Law, in force since 1 January 2026, describes an expanded category of people who convey advertising, including celebrities, key opinion leaders and influencers. The outline says people conveying advertising must verify that the information is truthful and lawful, and that celebrities, key opinion leaders and influencers must disclose advertising content before and during its delivery. Decree 87/2026/ND-CP on administrative penalties in culture and advertising has applied since 15 May 2026.
The Ministry of Public Security warned on 25 June 2026 against fraud carried out under the name of consultancies for people who want to work, invest, do business or settle abroad, and told the public to be wary of promises such as a guaranteed visa, guaranteed success or high investment returns. Its warning concerned a Korean investment visa case and did not mention Cyprus.
A bill with an unknown outcome
Cyprus Mail reported on 14 April 2026 that parliament was to discuss a bill that would give the government three months after enactment to issue regulations for the fast-track permit, failing which the programme would end; the Migration Department recommended that the executive keep full jurisdiction. The outcome of that bill has not been established for this article. The Migration Department’s published criteria concern permanent residence.
The Legation Times writes its content from published documents; nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Spotted an error? Send a correction request; for content rights, send a takedown request.
