From 2 April 2026 every non-EU investor seeking a controlling stake in a Cypriot company must file a pre-notification with the Ministry of Finance under a law aligned with the EU’s FDI Screening Regulation. The ministry, together with the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, launched an e-portal on 3 April that allows foreign investors or their advisers to submit dossiers electronically, upload supporting documents and track case status. Investments cannot close until clearance is granted; the portal issues a reference number that must appear in share-transfer deeds and commercial-registry filings. For investors who also need immigration or travel documentation, VisaHQ’s Cyprus team can synchronise visa, residence-permit and corporate paperwork with the FDI submission, guiding applicants through requirements, booking consular appointments and providing real-time status updates via its platform at https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/ Although aimed primarily at safeguarding critical infrastructure and sensitive technologies, the regime has practical consequences for global mobility. Corporate expatriates who enter Cyprus as intra-company transferees or start-up founders often structure local subsidiaries or acquire shares as part of relocation packages; failure to complete screening could nullify deals and invalidate residence-by-investment pathways. Legal experts note that penalties for non-compliance include fines up to 10 per cent of transaction value and potential divestment orders. Early engagement is therefore essential, especially because the law applies retroactively to any investment signed but not closed after 2 April. Mobility and corporate-development teams should integrate FDI clearance into project timelines and budget for a review period of 30–45 days, extendable if the ministry seeks additional information. The government says the digital process will shorten average handling times by 20 per cent compared with the legacy paper system.
