Last updated: 12 September 2026
Written by: LaunchCy Relocation & Immigration Team

Can a Cyprus company hire a non-EU employee?

Yes – but the immigration process depends heavily on the company employing the individual, the employee’s salary and qualifications, and the employment route being used.

For international businesses operating or relocating to Cyprus, one of the most important routes is the framework for Companies with Foreign Interests.

A qualifying Company with Foreign Interests can employ highly paid third-country nationals under a more flexible immigration framework than the ordinary labour-market process.

However, both the company and the employee must meet specific requirements.

Under the current rules, a highly paid third-country national generally needs:

• a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,500;
• relevant academic qualifications or at least two years of relevant professional experience; and
• an employment contract lasting at least two years.

There are also two particularly important dates for employers planning recruitment in 2027.

The special transitional rule that allows certain existing BCS Key Personnel earning at least €2,000 gross per month to renew with the same employer ends on:

31 December 2026

Then, after:

2 January 2027

the company’s progress towards the 70:30 third-country national / Cypriot-EU workforce ratio becomes relevant when new recruitment is assessed.

This guide explains the rules currently in force, the changes employers need to prepare for in 2027 and how the process works in practice.

If your company is considering a broader move to Cyprus, start with our complete guide to relocating to Cyprus in 2027.

For the corporate side specifically, see our Business Relocation to Cyprus guide.

Are You Hiring a Non-EU Employee in Cyprus?

LaunchCy coordinates the process from both the employer and employee side.

This can include Company with Foreign Interests registration, BCS residence and employment permits, employee documentation, family relocation, office search, employee housing and practical settling-in support.

For companies moving several employees, we can coordinate the relocation through one central point of contact for HR.

Speak to LaunchCy about employee immigration and relocation

Cyprus Work Permit 2027: The Short Answer

For highly paid third-country nationals working for a qualifying Company with Foreign Interests, the core current requirements include:

The current policy is published by the Cyprus Migration Department.

What Is a Company with Foreign Interests in Cyprus?

A Company with Foreign Interests is a company that has been accepted into the official Register of Companies with Foreign Interests after satisfying the eligibility requirements under Cyprus’ strategy for attracting international businesses and talent.

Once the company is registered, it can access the dedicated framework for employing qualifying third-country nationals.

The framework is particularly relevant to businesses such as:

• international technology companies;
• fintech businesses;
• financial-services companies;
• shipping companies;
• international trading groups;
• multinational businesses;
• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies;
• innovative and high-tech businesses; and
• founders relocating genuine business operations to Cyprus.

The key point is that:

incorporating a Cyprus company does not automatically make the company a Company with Foreign Interests.

The business must satisfy the relevant eligibility criteria and complete the registration process.

Major 2026 Update: Foreign Interest Company Registration Is Now Online

A significant procedural change took effect on:

1 July 2026

The Business Support Center introduced an upgraded electronic registration process.

New applications to the Register of Companies with Foreign Interests must now be submitted electronically through the identified CY Login profile of the company itself.

The Business Support Center states that, where the company qualifies and submits a duly completed application, registration should be completed within:

10 business days

You can review the current process directly through the Business Support Center’s official registration page.

For companies planning recruitment in 2027, this means the corporate immigration structure should ideally be prepared before employment offers are finalised.

What Companies Can Qualify as Companies with Foreign Interests?

The Business Support Center recognises several eligibility categories.

One of the main routes applies where third-country nationals own the majority of the company.

A company may also qualify in certain minority foreign-ownership structures.

Where a third-country national owns 50% or less of the company, the current BSC criteria provide that the foreign minority shareholder’s share must have a value of at least:

€200,000

Other qualifying categories can include, depending on the applicable criteria:

• public companies listed on recognised stock exchanges;
• certain historical international-business companies;
• shipping companies;
• qualifying innovative or high-tech companies;
• pharmaceutical, biogenetics and biotechnology companies; and
• certain private tertiary-education institutions.

The company’s actual ownership, investment and activity should therefore be assessed rather than assuming that one foreign shareholder automatically makes the company eligible.

Is a €200,000 Investment Required?

Under the current Business Support Center framework, an initial investment criterion of:

€200,000

applies to the eligible categories covered by the registration framework.

The investment must have taken place up to six months before the application date and must still be present when the company submits its application.

The investment may include:

• funds deposited by the shareholder or shareholders into the company’s Cyprus bank account;
• the purchase of office premises intended for business use; or
• the purchase of equipment required for the company’s operations.

Where the investment takes the form of a cash deposit, the corporate account must be held with a credit institution licensed by the Central Bank of Cyprus.

The Business Support Center specifically states that electronic money institutions and payment institutions do not qualify as licensed credit institutions for this requirement.

Official Business Support Center criteria

Does a Foreign Interest Company Need a Real Office?

Yes.

The company must provide evidence of suitable business premises in Cyprus.

Depending on the case, the Business Support Center accepts documents such as:

• title deeds;
• property purchase agreements;
• rental agreements lasting at least 12 months;
• qualifying sublease agreements; and
• appropriate shared-space arrangements.

However, the office must be identifiable and genuinely available for the business.

Most importantly:

the business premises must be separate from the shareholder’s residential property.

This is a practical issue that founders can easily overlook.

A residential apartment used informally as a company address may not satisfy the requirements needed for Foreign Interest Company registration.

LaunchCy can coordinate the office search alongside the wider business relocation process.

What Salary Does a Non-EU Employee Need for a Cyprus Work Permit?

For highly paid employment under the Foreign Interest Company strategy, the current minimum gross monthly salary is:

€2,500

This means gross salary, not net salary after deductions.

The employee must also satisfy the qualifications or experience requirement and hold the required employment contract.

The current criteria are published by the Cyprus Migration Department.

Important 2027 Update: The €2,000 BCS Transitional Rule Ends

This is one of the most important issues employers should review before 2027.

Certain third-country nationals who already hold residence and employment permits as BCS Key Personnel and earn at least:

€2,000 gross per month

have been allowed to renew with the same employer without increasing their salary to the current €2,500 minimum.

However, this transitional arrangement ends on:

31 December 2026

Therefore, companies employing existing BCS staff with monthly gross salaries between €2,000 and €2,499 should review those employees before their 2027 renewal process begins.

Waiting until the appointment date could create avoidable immigration problems.

What Qualifications Does the Employee Need?

A highly paid third-country national must normally demonstrate either:

Relevant academic qualifications

or

At least two years of relevant professional experience

connected to the position being filled.

A university degree is therefore not always mandatory.

Relevant professional experience can also satisfy the policy.

This is particularly useful for technology, specialist and senior operational roles where practical experience may be more relevant than a specific academic qualification.

Does the Employment Contract Need to Be for Two Years?

Yes.

The current Migration Department policy requires an employment contract lasting at least:

Two years

This applies even where the company initially requests a permit valid for only one year.

The Migration Department also states that the contract must carry the appropriate stamp-duty treatment for the two-year duration.

Employers should therefore review the employment contract before the immigration application is submitted.

Does a Highly Paid Employee Need a Labour-Market Test?

Generally:

No.

One of the main advantages of the Foreign Interest Company framework is that qualifying highly paid third-country nationals can be recruited without the ordinary labour-market test.

This can make the process considerably more practical for international companies recruiting specialist talent.

Is There a Limit on How Many Non-EU Employees the Company Can Hire?

The strategy abolished the previous maximum numerical quotas for highly paid foreign employees.

A qualifying Company with Foreign Interests can therefore employ highly paid third-country nationals without a fixed maximum headcount.

However:

the company’s overall workforce composition still matters.

That becomes particularly relevant from January 2027.

The 70:30 Rule: What Changes After 2 January 2027?

Companies participating in the strategy committed to invest in the employment of Cypriot and EU citizens.

The current policy sets a target of:

30% Cypriot / EU employees

within the company’s total workforce over the five-year period of the strategy.

After:

2 January 2027

the ratio will be checked when new recruitment takes place.

In practical terms, this is commonly referred to as the:

70:30 ratio

meaning approximately:

• 70% third-country nationals; and
• 30% Cypriot/EU nationals.

However, there is an important distinction.

A company that has not reached the 70:30 ratio is not automatically prohibited from recruiting another third-country national.

The Migration Department states that the case will be assessed on its own merits and referred to management for an administrative decision.

Therefore, companies planning significant third-country recruitment in 2027 should review their workforce composition before new applications are filed.

What About Support Staff?

Support-level employees follow a different process.

For support staff, the current policy requires:

• a labour-market test; and
• an employment contract sealed by the Department of Labour.

The simplified highly paid employee route should therefore not be assumed to apply to every non-EU employee working for a Foreign Interest Company.

The employee’s role, salary and category must be assessed correctly.

Employer Checklist Before Offering the Job

Before a Cyprus company signs an employment offer with a non-EU employee, HR should ideally confirm:

• Is the Cyprus company already registered as a Company with Foreign Interests?
• Does the company satisfy the €200,000 investment requirement?
• Are the company’s office premises documented correctly?
• Does the proposed employee earn at least €2,500 gross per month?
• Does the employee have relevant academic qualifications or at least two years of relevant experience?
• Is the employment contract at least two years long?
• Is the employee classified as highly paid staff or support staff?
• What is the company’s current Cypriot/EU vs third-country national workforce ratio?
• Does the employee need an entry permit before travelling?
• Is the employee relocating with a spouse?
• Will the spouse want to work in Cyprus?
• Are children relocating?
• Does the employee need housing before arrival?
• Will the employer need to coordinate immigration for several employees simultaneously?

LaunchCy can review these points before the employment offer is finalised, helping HR identify immigration or relocation issues before they affect the employee’s move.

How Can a Non-EU Employee Enter Cyprus for Employment?

A highly paid third-country national coming to work for a Company with Foreign Interests may enter Cyprus using either:

• a visa issued by the consular authorities of the Republic of Cyprus abroad; or
• an entry permit issued by the Migration Department following an application submitted by the employer.

For support staff, entry is permitted only with an entry permit.

After arriving in Cyprus, the employee must register in the Aliens’ Register and obtain the appropriate temporary residence and employment permit.

The current procedure is published by the Cyprus Migration Department.

Where Are BCS Work-Permit Applications Submitted?

Applications for entry, residence and employment under this category are submitted at the Migration Department headquarters in Nicosia.

The Department publishes the dedicated BCS application form and supporting-document checklist online.

Official BCS application forms and supporting documents

Supporting documents must meet the applicable translation and certification requirements.

Companies should therefore prepare immigration files before arrival or before an existing permit approaches expiry, rather than waiting until the appointment date.

How Long Does a Cyprus BCS Work Permit Take?

The official examination time for a properly completed residence and employment application under this framework is:

One month

However, the Migration Department also makes clear that this time limit does not apply where the information or supporting documents are insufficient.

Therefore:

one month is the official examination target for a complete application, not an unconditional approval guarantee.

How Long Is the Cyprus Work Permit Valid?

The residence and employment permit can be issued for up to:

Three consecutive years

depending on the duration of the employment contract.

For highly paid employees, there is no fixed overall maximum duration of residence under this category, provided the employee continues to satisfy the conditions and holds a valid temporary residence and employment permit.

What Are the Government Fees?

The current Migration Department fee schedule includes:

• €70 for issuance of an entry permit and residence permit valid for 1–3 years;
• €80 for issuance or renewal of a residence permit valid for 1–3 years; and
• €70 for first registration in the Aliens’ Register where required.

The exact combination depends on the employee’s application scenario and whether an ARC already exists.

Employment contracts must also be appropriately stamped.

Official Migration Department procedure and fees

Professional fees, document legalisation, translation and other costs are separate.

Can a BCS Employee Change Employer?

Yes, subject to the applicable requirements.

A highly paid employee at a Company with Foreign Interests may move to another qualifying Company with Foreign Interests if the employee finds new employment within:

One month

of ending the previous employment.

The new employer must also qualify as a Company with Foreign Interests.

The employee must complete the required immigration process for the new employment.

A residence permit linked to one employer should not be treated as permission to work indefinitely for another company without the relevant change being completed.

Can the Employee Bring Their Spouse and Children?

Yes.

Third-country nationals employed as Directors or Key Personnel at Companies with Foreign Interests can exercise family-reunification rights.

Their:

• spouse; and
• minor children

may therefore join them in Cyprus under the applicable family-reunification procedure.

The Migration Department publishes dedicated guidance for family members of employees at Companies with Foreign Interests.

Can the Employee’s Spouse Work in Cyprus?

Yes, subject to the applicable immigration requirements.

Under the current family-reunification framework, the spouse or civil-union partner of an employee at a Company with Foreign Interests has free access to paid employment.

The Migration Department states that a sealed employment contract from the Department of Labour is not required for employment in a Cyprus company, provided the conditions for the relevant single employment permit are satisfied.

However:

this does not include self-employment.

This can be a significant consideration for families deciding whether to relocate to Cyprus together.

Official family-reunification and labour-market guidance

What About Parents, Partners or Adult Children?

The revised visitor framework also provides options for certain wider family members of employees of Companies with Foreign Interests.

Potential Dependent Visitor categories can include, subject to the specific rules:

• parents and parents-in-law;
• unmarried partners where a continuing relationship can be proven;
• certain adult children up to age 25; and
• dependent ascendants.

For these categories, the sponsor must demonstrate sufficient resources.

The currently published base threshold is:

€24,000 annual income

increased by:

• 20% for the spouse or partner; and
• 15% for each child or dependent ascendant.

These categories should not be confused with standard spouse/minor-child family reunification.

Migration Department — dependent family members of Foreign Interest Company employees

Does a Cyprus Work Permit Give Schengen Travel Rights?

Not automatically under the current September 2026 position.

Cyprus has not yet completed full Schengen integration.

A Cyprus residence and employment permit therefore should not currently be treated as a standard Schengen residence permit for general short-stay travel purposes.

Employees and HR teams planning frequent European business travel should assess the employee’s nationality and current Schengen visa requirements separately.

For the latest position, see our Cyprus Schengen 2026/2027 guide.

This distinction is particularly important for third-country nationals who plan to use Cyprus as a base while travelling frequently across Europe.

Do Companies Registered Before 2022 Have Additional Obligations?

Yes.

The Migration Department states that Companies with Foreign Interests that were already registered in the Register before 2022 must update their company information with the Department annually.

Companies should therefore not assume that historical registration eliminates ongoing compliance requirements.

Foreign Interest Company vs Ordinary Cyprus Company

These two structures should not be confused.

Simply incorporating a Cyprus Ltd does not automatically give the company the immigration privileges available through the Foreign Interest Company framework.

What We See in Practice at LaunchCy

One of the biggest mistakes employers make is treating company registration and employee immigration as separate projects.

A company may recruit a candidate, agree a salary and sign a contract before checking whether the Cyprus entity has the status required for the intended immigration route.

Another common problem involves the office.

A founder may plan to use a residential property as the company’s operating address, only to discover later that the Foreign Interest Company framework requires qualifying business premises separate from the shareholder’s home.

The more reliable sequence is:

company eligibility → corporate setup → CY Login → Foreign Interest Company registration → office documentation → employee eligibility → employment contract → immigration file → entry/appointment → residence and employment permit.

For employees moving with families, the plan should also include:

spouse → children → housing → school requirements → healthcare → settling-in.

At LaunchCy, we therefore coordinate the employer and employee sides as one connected relocation workflow.

How LaunchCy Supports Companies Hiring Non-EU Employees

LaunchCy supports international companies, founders and HR teams with both immigration and relocation.

Company with Foreign Interests Registration

We coordinate the company’s eligibility review, supporting documentation, CY Login requirements, office documentation and registration process.

BCS Residence and Employment Permits

We coordinate the employee’s immigration file, supporting documentation, appointment requirements and follow-up through the residence and employment process.

Family Relocation

Where the employee is moving with a spouse or children, we coordinate the applicable family or dependant applications alongside the principal employee’s process.

Employee Housing

LaunchCy can search for employee housing according to the employee’s requirements and budget.

Where appropriate, we can arrange and attend property viewings on the employee’s behalf, provide photographs and videos, compare suitable properties and coordinate negotiations and move-in requirements.

Office Search

Where the company requires qualifying business premises, LaunchCy can coordinate the office search together with the Foreign Interest Company registration process.

Settling-In

Depending on the relocation, we can also coordinate practical requirements after arrival, including utility setup, GESY-related assistance and other local registrations.

Professional-Services Coordination

Where corporate, accounting, audit, tax, payroll or regulated professional advice is required, LaunchCy coordinates with the appropriate specialist professional partners so that the company’s business setup and immigration process remain aligned.

For larger employee-relocation projects, this gives HR one central point of contact rather than requiring each employee to manage immigration, estate agents and local providers independently.

A Practical Example

Imagine a Cyprus technology company registered as a Company with Foreign Interests wants to relocate a software engineer from India in 2027.

The employee has:

• four years of relevant professional experience;
• a gross monthly salary of €3,000;
• a two-year employment contract;
• a spouse; and
• one minor child.

On the employee side:

Salary: €3,000 — above the €2,500 minimum.
Experience: four years — above the two-year experience requirement.
Contract: two years — meets the minimum duration.

The company must still remain compliant with the Foreign Interest Company framework.

Because the recruitment takes place after 2 January 2027, the company’s current ratio of Cypriot/EU staff to third-country national employees should also be reviewed.

The spouse’s employment intentions and the child’s residence requirements should be assessed at the same time.

Housing can then be coordinated alongside the immigration timeline.

This is why a corporate relocation involves much more than filling in a work-permit form.

The Biggest Mistakes Employers Make

Some of the most common mistakes are:

• incorporating a Cyprus company but never registering it as a Company with Foreign Interests;
• assuming every Cyprus company can use the BCS highly paid route;
• signing a salary below €2,500 for a new highly paid application;
• relying on the €2,000 transitional threshold after 31 December 2026;
• preparing a one-year employment contract when the policy requires at least two years;
• failing to document relevant qualifications or two years of experience;
• using residential premises where qualifying business premises are required;
• overlooking the €200,000 initial-investment requirement;
• failing to document the investment correctly;
• assuming there is no workforce-balance consideration because the old numerical quota was removed;
• ignoring the 70:30 review for new recruitment after 2 January 2027;
• treating spouse and child immigration as an afterthought;
• leaving employee housing until the last minute; and
• waiting until the employee arrives before confirming whether the chosen immigration route actually works.

Cyprus Work Permit 2027: The Bottom Line

Cyprus offers a relatively flexible immigration framework for qualifying international businesses that need to recruit non-EU talent.

For highly paid third-country nationals employed by a registered Company with Foreign Interests, the current core requirements include:

€2,500 minimum gross monthly salary

plus:

relevant academic qualifications OR at least two years of relevant experience

and:

an employment contract lasting at least two years.

The official examination target for a duly completed application is:

One month

and permits may be issued for up to:

Three consecutive years.

Highly paid employees may continue to live and work in Cyprus without a fixed overall maximum period, provided they continue to meet the applicable conditions and maintain valid permits.

However, employers planning recruitment in 2027 need to pay particular attention to two dates.

The €2,000 BCS Key Personnel transition ends on:

31 December 2026

and the company’s progress towards the 70:30 workforce ratio becomes relevant for new recruitment after:

2 January 2027.

The most effective approach is therefore to confirm the company’s eligibility and the employee’s immigration position before the employment offer and relocation are finalised.

Planning to Hire or Relocate Non-EU Employees to Cyprus in 2027?

LaunchCy supports international companies, founders and HR teams with Cyprus immigration and relocation through one connected process.

We coordinate:

• Company with Foreign Interests registration;
• BCS residence and employment permits;
• EU and non-EU employee immigration;
• family and dependant applications;
• employee housing;
• property viewings on behalf of employees;
• office search;
• arrival and settling-in;
• GESY and practical registrations; and
• coordination with trusted specialist partners where corporate, accounting, audit or tax support is required.

For companies relocating multiple employees, LaunchCy can act as a central point of contact for HR, providing structured follow-up across the immigration and relocation process.

Talk to LaunchCy about Cyprus employee immigration and relocation

Frequently Asked Questions About Cyprus Work Permits

What salary does a non-EU employee need for a Cyprus BCS work permit?

A highly paid third-country national working for a qualifying Company with Foreign Interests currently needs a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,500.

Can a Cyprus company hire a non-EU employee?

Yes.

However, the appropriate immigration route depends on the company and the role.

Companies registered as Companies with Foreign Interests benefit from a dedicated framework for qualifying highly paid third-country nationals.

Does the employee need a university degree?

Not necessarily.

The employee can satisfy the current policy through relevant academic qualifications or at least two years of relevant experience.

How long must the employment contract be?

At least two years, even where the initial residence and employment permit requested is for a shorter period.

How long does a Cyprus BCS work permit take?

The Migration Department sets an official examination target of one month for duly completed applications.

How long can the permit be valid?

The residence and employment permit may be issued for up to three consecutive years, depending on the employment contract.

Is there a maximum number of non-EU employees a Foreign Interest Company can hire?

There is no fixed maximum numerical quota for highly paid third-country nationals under the current strategy.

However, companies have committed to a 30% Cypriot/EU workforce target, and the 70:30 ratio becomes relevant when new recruitment is reviewed after 2 January 2027.

What is the 70:30 rule?

The strategy provides for companies to work towards approximately 30% Cypriot/EU staff and 70% third-country nationals.

After 2 January 2027, the ratio is checked for new recruitment.

Failure to meet the ratio does not automatically result in rejection; the Migration Department states that the case will be assessed on its own merits.

Does the €2,000 BCS salary rule still apply?

Only as a temporary rule for certain existing BCS Key Personnel renewing with the same employer.

The transitional arrangement ends on 31 December 2026.

Can the employee’s spouse work in Cyprus?

Yes.

Under the applicable family-reunification framework, spouses or civil-union partners of employees at Companies with Foreign Interests can access paid employment, subject to the applicable single-permit requirements.

This does not include self-employment.

Can the employee bring their children?

Yes.

Minor children can qualify under the applicable family-reunification framework.

Additional dependant routes may also exist for certain wider family members.

Can a BCS employee change employer?

A highly paid employee may move to another qualifying Company with Foreign Interests where they find qualifying employment within one month of the previous employment ending and complete the required immigration process.

Does a Foreign Interest Company need an office?

Yes.

The company must provide appropriate business-premises documentation, and the premises must be separate from the shareholder’s residence.

How long does Foreign Interest Company registration take?

The Business Support Center states that a duly completed eligible registration should be completed within 10 business days.

Is the €200,000 initial investment still required?

Yes, under the current Business Support Center framework.

The investment must be properly evidenced and must meet the current timing and eligibility requirements.

Does a Cyprus work permit allow Schengen travel?

Not automatically under the current September 2026 position.

Cyprus has not yet completed full Schengen integration, so employees should check their nationality and separate Schengen visa requirements.

Official Sources Reviewed for This Article

Cyprus Migration Department — Legislation and Policy for Companies with Foreign Interests

Business Support Center — Registration of Companies with Foreign Interests

Cyprus Government — Online Registration Service for Foreign Interest Companies

Cyprus Migration Department — Procedure for Entry, Residence, Processing Time and Maximum Stay

Cyprus Migration Department — BCS Application Form and Supporting Documents

Cyprus Migration Department — Family Members of Employees at Companies with Foreign Interests

Cyprus Migration Department — Family Reunification and Spouse Employment

Cyprus Migration Department — Dependent Family Members of Foreign Interest Company Employees

Important publishing note: This guide reflects the official rules available on 12 September 2026 and is written for companies and employees planning for 2027. Employers should re-check the applicable Migration Department and Business Support Center criteria before filing if further guidance is issued.

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or employment advice. Company eligibility and individual immigration circumstances should be assessed under the rules in force at the time of application.