Cyprus Company Registration | Set Up a Company in Cyprus
Set up a company in Cyprus
Planning a Cyprus company registration to set up a company in Cyprus? Cyprus is a member of the EU and the eurozone and a normally taxed country, not an offshore jurisdiction. Foreign founders most often set up a private company limited by shares (Ltd). A local lawyer prepares the documents and the company is registered with the Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property (DRCIP). The name approval fee is EUR 10 and the incorporation fee is EUR 165, and foreign founders can own 100% of the shares.
A Cyprus company has the right to trade and operate freely across the EU single market. With a competitive tax system and a network of international tax treaties, Cyprus is a strategic base for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. From January 1, 2026, corporate income tax rose from 12.5% to 15%, and the standard VAT rate is 19%. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop Cyprus company formation service, from entity review, name approval, lawyer documents and company registration to tax and VAT registration, beneficial ownership filing and annual returns, helping companies expand into Europe.
From 2026 the corporate income tax rate is 15% (12.5% up to tax year 2025), which is still competitive within the EU.
In most cases, dividends a company receives, whether from Cyprus or abroad, are exempt from corporate tax.
Capital gains from selling securities such as shares and bonds are fully tax-exempt, which makes Cyprus a common location for holding and investment companies.
Cyprus has double tax treaties with more than 60 countries, which lowers the tax cost of cross-border transactions.
in Cyprus?
Cyprus combines EU membership with a competitive tax system. A company set up there can benefit from EU directives. For example, where conditions are met, dividend, interest and royalty payments within a group can be exempt from withholding tax.
This makes Cyprus a popular choice for holding companies, investment companies and international trading companies, but the company must have real management and operations in Cyprus. The four key points of its tax system are:
In Cyprus, the most common entity is the private company limited by shares (Ltd). The setup process is well defined and fully in line with EU legal standards, and the incorporation documents must be prepared by a practicing Cyprus lawyer.
Cyprus offers a reputable business environment protected by EU law. NSS Group guides you through the whole setup, makes sure your company structure is fully compliant and uses the Cyprus tax system properly, so your European business can get started.
First, submit your proposed company name to the Cyprus Registrar of Companies (DRCIP) for review and approval to confirm it is unique. The name approval fee is EUR 10, and you can apply online.
The memorandum and articles of association are the company’s core legal documents. They set out the company’s objects, share capital structure and the rights and duties of shareholders and directors, and are usually drafted by a Cyprus lawyer.
Submit all signed documents to the Registrar of Companies, including the articles of association, the statutory declaration sworn and signed by the appointed lawyer (HE1), the registered office notice (HE2) and the details of the first directors and secretary (HE3), and pay the EUR 165 incorporation fee (plus EUR 100 for expedited review). You can also file online through e-filing.
Once approved, the Registrar of Companies issues a full set of company registration documents, including the certificate of incorporation and certificates of directors and shareholders. The company can then open a bank account and start operating. After incorporation, the company must register with the Tax Department, register for VAT (standard rate 19%) once turnover reaches the threshold, and register its beneficial owners with the Registrar of Companies.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Registration document preparation and filing
- Articles of association drafting
- Certificate collection
- Advice on choosing a bank in Cyprus
- Account opening documents
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing
- Document custody and records
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
To support your sales in international markets, we offer Stripe application consulting, so your customers can pay easily and you get more sales opportunities.
Good customer service is key to a successful business. We include a free AI customer service system that answers customer questions in real time and raises customer satisfaction.
A professional website is your company’s storefront online. Our full web design service makes sure your site looks clean and works well.
Online marketing is a key part of business success today. Our online marketing services include SEO, social media marketing and content marketing.
Register your company with NSS Group company formation and receive our exclusive free one-stop AI business management system––valued at NT$360,000
One AI system to run your whole company: 12 core systems, 75+ feature modules and 15 AI tools covering the full business workflow, so a new company can start operating quickly.
- Company name search and registration
- Registration document preparation and filing
- Articles of association drafting
- Registration certificate and company documents
- Registered address service for the first year
The actual cost depends on the entity type, share capital structure and any extra services you need. We give a transparent quote with no hidden fees.
Official Registrar of Companies fees are extra: name approval EUR 10, incorporation EUR 165, annual return EUR 20. Lawyer and registered office fees are charged at cost. See the fee breakdown below.
Cyprus company formation cost: Registrar of Companies fee breakdown
Cyprus companies register with the Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property (DRCIP) under the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, on paper or online through e-filing. Below are the official fees, so you can check quotes line by line.
| Item | Official fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company name approval application | EUR 10 | Online or on paper. |
| Company incorporation (forms HE1, HE2, HE3) | EUR 165 | EUR 235 for a company without share capital; the HE1 statutory declaration must be sworn and signed by the appointed lawyer. |
| Expedited review | EUR 100 extra | Per the Registrar of Companies notice. |
| Certified copies of incorporation documents | EUR 120 | With a copy of the articles; EUR 130 without. |
| Annual return (HE32) | EUR 20 | The annual return and financial statements are filed every year. |
| Annual fee | EUR 350 | Per the Registrar of Companies annual fee form. |
| Lawyer, registered office, company secretary and agent services | Quoted per case; NSS Group gives a written quote after a free assessment | |
Fees follow the "Forms & Fees" notice of the Cyprus Registrar of Companies at companies.gov.cy, checked in October 2026. The latest notices from the authorities prevail.
Cyprus company tax: 15% corporate tax and 19% VAT
Income tax and VAT for Cyprus companies are handled by the Tax Department of the Ministry of Finance. The tax reform law published in the Official Gazette on December 31, 2025 took effect on January 1, 2026.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 15% (from tax year 2026) | 12.5% up to tax year 2025; applies to Cyprus tax resident companies and permanent establishments of foreign companies. |
| Standard VAT rate | 19% | Reduced rates also apply; see the Tax Department for the items covered. |
| Annual filings | Registrar of Companies annual return, financial statements and income tax return | The company must keep books and audited financial statements and file with the Registrar of Companies and the Tax Department on time. |
| Beneficial owners (UBO) | Register beneficial ownership details with the Registrar of Companies | Update the details whenever they change. |
The Tax Department website (gov.cy) could not be reached when we checked, so the corporate tax rate is based on public information about the tax reform law published in the Official Gazette on December 31, 2025. Ask a Cyprus tax adviser to assess your actual structure, and follow the Tax Department's latest notices.
Private limited company or branch of an overseas company? Comparing Cyprus entity types
Foreign companies setting up in Cyprus usually compare a private limited liability company by shares with a branch registered in Cyprus as an overseas company.
| Item | Private company limited by shares (Ltd) | Branch of an overseas company |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Cyprus legal entity; shareholders' liability is limited to their contributions | Not a separate legal entity; the parent company is liable |
| Setup fees | Name approval EUR 10, incorporation EUR 165 | Per the Registrar of Companies notice for overseas companies |
| Setup documents | Memorandum and articles of association; HE1 signed by the appointed lawyer | Parent company registration documents and details of its representative in Cyprus |
| Tax | Resident companies pay 15% corporate tax on worldwide income | Income of the permanent establishment is taxed at 15% |
| Typical use | EU holding, investment, trading, intellectual property and regional headquarters | The parent company operates directly in Cyprus without a subsidiary |
These are general principles. Choose based on your shareholding structure, business partners and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in Cyprus
- Cyprus is not offshore: Cyprus is a member of the EU and the eurozone. Companies pay tax locally and file audited financial statements and annual returns, and corporate tax rose to 15% from 2026, so you cannot plan a Cyprus company like an offshore company.
- Tax residence depends on management and control: to be treated as a Cyprus tax resident, the company's management and control must actually be in Cyprus, with board meetings held there and real operations. Banks and tax authorities will check this.
- A lawyer must handle the setup documents: the HE1 statutory declaration must be sworn and signed by an appointed Cyprus lawyer, and the memorandum and articles of association are usually drafted by a lawyer.
- Beneficial ownership and AML checks: the company must register its beneficial owners with the Registrar of Companies, and service providers and banks review the identity, address and source of funds of shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners.
- Bank account opening: Cyprus banks are strict about KYC, business activity and local substance, so plan how you will receive payments and which bank you will use before you incorporate.
- Home-country tax and outbound investment: shareholders should assess their home country's controlled foreign company (CFC) rules and the tax on dividends paid back home, and check whether outbound investment approval or reporting is required.
Further reading
Sources: Cyprus Registrar of Companies: Forms & Fees; Registrar of Companies: company incorporation forms and fees; Registrar of Companies: company types and incorporation obligations; Registrar of Companies: starting a company; Cyprus Tax Department. The latest notices from the authorities prevail. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How long does Cyprus company registration take?
What documents do I need to set up a company in Cyprus?
To set up a Cyprus company, you usually need to prepare the following first:
- 1. Identity documents for shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners
- 2. Proof of address from the last three months and contact details
- 3. Cyprus company name, entity type and registered office arrangements
- 4. Description of the business model, main trading regions and source of funds
- 5. Shareholding ratios, director appointments, KYC and required authorization documents
Do I need to travel to Cyprus to set up a company?
Most of the Cyprus company setup can be done remotely through document preparation, signing under authorization and support from a local agent, so you do not have to be there in person for every step. However, bank account opening, identity verification, special licenses or certain government procedures may require directors, shareholders or authorized persons to attend in person, join a video call or provide extra documents. We confirm the requirements in advance and help you arrange them.
What tax and filing obligations does a Cyprus company have?
- 1. Corporate income tax (15% from 2026) and VAT (standard rate 19%)
- 2. Annual filing, company registration maintenance, and registered agent or secretary services
- 3. Accounting records, audit, annual returns and beneficial ownership (UBO) records
What businesses and structures is a Cyprus company suited to?
Who can help me register a company in Cyprus?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. NSS Group provides one-stop support from pre-incorporation assessment to post-incorporation maintenance for Cyprus companies, reducing uncertainty in cross-border setup and compliance.
Our main services include:
- 1. Cyprus entity type and structure assessment
- 2. Company name search, document preparation and registration filing
- 3. Bank account opening, KYC and cross-border payment documents
- 4. Bookkeeping, tax filing and annual compliance
- 5. Changes to shareholders, directors, address, shares and company details
- 6. Trademark registration, contract review and intellectual property planning
- 7. Website development, digital marketing and AI customer service setup
- 8. Ongoing business advisory and cross-border business support
We arrange Cyprus company formation, maintenance and ongoing operational support based on your industry, customer locations, banking needs and tax planning, so you can focus on growing your market.