According to the Cyprus legislation, an individual who spends more than 183 days in Cyprus territory, is considered a Cyprus Tax resident. As from the tax year 2017 the new 60 days rule can be additionally applied for individuals.

183 days rule briefly.

An individual who lives in more than “183 days” in a year is eligible to become Cyprus Tax resident and benefit from all the Personal Tax Advantages in Cyprus.

A Cyprus Tax resident is taxed on his local and international income under the Cyprus tax regime.

The individual has then the opportunity to be taxed on his international income and avoid double taxation.

 

60 days rule.

This rule came in 2017 as an amendment to the “183 days” rule and provides incentives to high profile individuals, professionals and executives to become Cyprus Tax residents.

The 60 days rule is effective as from tax year 2017. An individual can become a tax resident by either the case.

 

How does the “60 days” rule applies?

An individual who in the relevant tax year

a. do not reside in any other country for a time period of more than 183 days(aggregate) and

b. is not a tax resident in any other country and

c. resides in Cyprus for at least 60 days and

d. has various other Cyprus ties such as :

• contract of employment
• he is a business owner
• he is a director of a Cyprus Tax resident company.

The above must take place in a tax year and considered not valid in case of termination of employment during the tax year. In addition, the individual must maintain a residential property during the tax year either owned or rented.

 

Advantages of Cyprus Tax residents.

Income exemption for employment in Cyprus.

An individual with annual remuneration of more than €100.000 and who was not a tax residence in Cyprus before the employment, is entitled for 50% tax deduction on his income.

This deduction refers to income deriving from Cyprus and the rule is valid for a period of 10 years starting on the day of his employment.

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Domicile status

An individual is considered to be domiciled in Cyprus for tax purposes when he has been a tax resident for at least 17 years out of the last 20 years prior to the tax year in question.

An individual who is not domiciled in Cyprus for tax purposes is considered a tax resident and he is exempted from taxation in Cyprus on his worldwide income (Cyprus and worldwide sourced), dividends and interest. This is considered a Non-domiciled status.

 

Exemptions

Securities

Profit arising for the sale of securities that include shares, bonds, debentures and others is exempted from taxation in Cyprus. Please note that in the cases where the shares value comes from real estate in Cyprus the above rule is not applied.

Employment Income Exemption

50% of remuneration from employment in Cyprus is exempted from income tax for the first 10 years. This rule applies for individuals that were not tax residents before the commencement of the employment and provided that the annual remuneration exceeds €100.000.

Exemptions on income from employment out of Cyprus

An individual who is employed outside of Cyprus – to a foreign permanent establishment of a Cyprus tax resident employer for more than 90 days aggregate in a tax year, is exempted from income tax.

 

How the 60 days count

For both 60 and 183 days rules, the days count in and out of Cyprus territory are the below.

• The day of departure from Cyprus counts as a day of residence outside Cyprus.
• The day of arrival in Cyprus counts as a day of residence.
• Same day arrival and departure from Cyprus counts as a day of residence in Cyprus.