Company Formation
Launch your Cyprus company on a clean, compliant footing — typically within days.
At a glance
- Corporate tax
- 15%
- Typical setup
- A few business days
- Minimum shareholders
- 1
- Annual levy (€350)
- Abolished
Forming a company in Cyprus means incorporating a private limited company with the Registrar of Companies and registering it for tax and (where required) VAT. A Cyprus company needs at least one shareholder, one director, a company secretary and a registered office. Incorporation typically takes a few business days once the name is approved and due diligence is complete, after which the company can trade across the EU at a 15% corporate tax rate.
- Corporate tax rate
- 15%Corporate tax rate
- Minimum shareholder & director
- 1Minimum shareholder & director
- Typical incorporation time
- DaysTypical incorporation time
- Annual levy (abolished)
- €0Annual levy (abolished)
Cyprus is one of the EU's most efficient places to do business: a 15% corporate tax rate, an extensive treaty network, EU membership and a common-law legal system. We handle the full incorporation process and get you operational fast.
From name approval to registration with the Registrar of Companies, the Tax Department and VAT, we set your company up correctly from day one — and we can continue to look after its accounting, payroll and tax thereafter.
Why clients choose us
- Fast, correctly structured incorporation
- EU-based company with access to treaty benefits
- One firm for formation, accounting and tax
- Full UBO and anti-money-laundering compliance
What our company formation covers
Company incorporation
Name approval, drafting of the Memorandum & Articles and registration with the Registrar of Companies.
Tax & VAT registration
Registration for a Tax Identification Code and for VAT where required.
Registered office
Provision of a registered office address in Cyprus.
Bank account introduction
Support with opening a corporate bank or EMI account.
Share structure & directors
Advice on shareholding, directors and beneficial ownership (UBO) filing.
Ongoing compliance setup
A clear roadmap of annual obligations from the day you incorporate.
Why incorporate in Cyprus?
Cyprus combines EU membership, a common-law legal system, English as the language of business and one of the most competitive tax regimes in Europe. A Cyprus company benefits from a 15% corporate rate, the participation exemption, the IP Box, an extensive double tax treaty network and no withholding tax on most outbound payments. For holding, trading, IP and services businesses, it is a credible and cost-effective base.
What you need to set up a Cyprus company
A private company limited by shares is the standard vehicle. The statutory minimum is modest:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shareholders | At least one (individual or corporate; can be foreign) |
| Directors | At least one; for Cyprus tax residency, management & control should be in Cyprus |
| Company secretary | Required |
| Registered office | A Cyprus address |
| Share capital | No statutory minimum; commonly €1,000 nominal |
| UBO | Beneficial owners filed on the UBO register |
The incorporation process step by step
- Structure & due diligence — we agree the shareholding, directors and activities and complete KYC/AML checks.
- Name approval — we obtain approval of the company name from the Registrar (expedited approval is available).
- Incorporation — we draft the Memorandum & Articles of Association and file the incorporation documents, obtaining the certificates of incorporation, directors, shareholders and registered office.
- Tax & VAT registration — we register the company for a Tax Identification Code and for VAT where required.
- Go live — we support corporate bank or EMI account opening and set up the ongoing compliance calendar.
Making the company Cyprus tax resident
A company is Cyprus tax resident if its management and control are exercised in Cyprus — broadly, where the board meets and key decisions are taken. Tax residency is what unlocks the treaty network and the 15% rate, so substance matters from day one. We advise on directors, board procedures and the substance appropriate to your activity.
The €350 annual company levy was abolished from 2024, so it no longer applies. Ongoing obligations that remain include the annual return (HE32), audited financial statements and the corporate tax return.
What does it cost to set up?
The cost of incorporation depends on the structure, the services bundled in (registered office, secretary, nominee arrangements) and whether VAT registration and bank account support are needed. We quote a clear, fixed fee before any work begins — use our company formation cost calculator for an instant estimate.
After incorporation: keeping the company compliant
A new company immediately picks up annual duties: bookkeeping, the audit, the corporate tax return, the annual return to the Registrar and UBO upkeep. Because we provide all of these, we can carry your company from incorporation through to ongoing compliance with a single point of contact.
Cyprus company vs. operating as a sole trader
| Sole trader / self-employed | Cyprus limited company | |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | Unlimited personal liability | Limited to share capital |
| Tax | Personal income tax up to 35% | 15% corporate tax + reliefs |
| Credibility | Lower with banks/clients | Higher; EU legal entity |
| Reliefs | Limited | Participation exemption, IP Box, NID |
| Admin | Lighter | Audit + annual filings required |
Who it's for
This service is built for the people and businesses below. Not sure if it fits? Tell us your situation and we'll point you the right way.
- Entrepreneurs incorporating inside the EU
- International groups setting up a Cyprus entity
- Holding and IP-holding structures
- Founders who want one firm for setup and ongoing compliance
A simple, transparent process
- 01
Structure
We agree the share structure, directors and activities.
- 02
Name approval
We obtain approval of the company name from the Registrar.
- 03
Incorporation
We file the incorporation documents and obtain the certificates.
- 04
Go live
We register for tax and VAT and help open a bank account.
Transparent, fixed pricing
Transparent one-off formation fee, quoted up front after a short call.
Let's talk about your company formation
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified Cyprus adviser and get a clear quote before any work begins.
Questions, answered
Once the name is approved and due diligence is complete, incorporation typically takes a few business days. Expedited name approval is available. Book a free consultation and we'll give you a clear, fixed-fee proposal before any work begins.
A private limited company needs at least one shareholder, one director, a company secretary and a registered office in Cyprus. There is no minimum share capital requirement in practice (commonly €1,000 nominal).
No. Foreign individuals and companies can own a Cyprus company. For the company to be Cyprus tax resident, however, its management and control should be exercised in Cyprus — we advise on the substance needed.
Yes. Foreign individuals and companies can fully own a Cyprus company. To make the company itself Cyprus tax resident, its management and control should be exercised in Cyprus — we advise on the substance needed to support that.
Once the name is approved and due diligence is complete, incorporation typically takes a few business days. Expedited name approval can shorten the timeline further.
Every company needs a registered office address in Cyprus, which we can provide. Whether you need more physical presence depends on your activity and the level of substance appropriate to your tax position, on which we advise.
Guides & calculators
You may also need
Corporate Administration
Company secretarial, registered office, annual returns and UBO filings to keep your company in good standing.
Learn moreAccounting & Bookkeeping
Accurate, ICPAC-aligned bookkeeping and management accounts that keep your Cyprus company compliant and decision-ready.
Learn moreTax Advisory & Planning
Strategic, fully compliant tax structuring for Cyprus companies, groups and individuals — built around the 2026 framework.
Learn moreVAT Services
Cyprus VAT registration, returns, VIES and OSS — handled accurately and on time so you avoid penalties.
Learn moreReady to get your numbers in order?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll review where you stand and show you exactly how we can help your business or personal finances in Cyprus.
No fees. No obligation. Speak with a qualified professional today.