Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa August 2016 | Page 60

CYPRUS

Citizenship by Investment
The Preferred Citizenship In Europe
BY JENNY ELLINAS

E

urope has long established itself as the most
sought after region in terms of high net worth
immigration, accounting for over half of the
total number of global citizenship applications, with
the Caribbean in second place, followed by North
America in third. Also noteworthy, are recent studies
conducted by global immigration experts, ranking
the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Program
among the “top ten best in the world”.
Cyprus has been ranked the 5th best relocation
destination in the world by an international lifestyle
review (source: 2014 report prepared by Knight Frank,
a leading independent, global real estate consultancy
firm). Ranked by key business and leisure indicators,
Cyprus was the only European country alongside
Switzerland to make it into the top five – ahead of
London, Madrid and Monaco.
Certain changes to the Cypriot immigration policy
and legal framework now enable non-EU applicants
to obtain Cypriot citizenship on an expedited basis
with the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment program,
aimed at high net worth individuals and their families.
This allows the successful applicant and their family
to hold a Cypriot passport and enjoy all the benefits
of being an EU national.
There are a number of reasons the Cyprus Citizenship
by Investment Program is now considered to be the
most attractive in Europe, including:
a There is no requirement to make a donation to
the local government, in contrast to many other
citizenship programs worldwide.
b Cyprus does not require applicants to live on
the island prior, during or after the application
process, unlike all other EU countries with
citizenship programs that impose some form of
residency requirements.
c Applicants are able to receive a Cypriot passport
within 3 months of filing an application, being by
far the fastest route to EU Citizenship.

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AUGUST 2016 SA Real Estate Investor

With the growing realisation that second citizenship
offers political and economic security enabling you to
safeguard your interests, Cyprus continues to remain
the preferred European 2nd Citizenship option.
Being the quickest route to a European passport,
applicants are able to receive a Cyprus passport
within only three months from submitting the
relevant application. This is followed by the Maltese
Citizenship by Investment program which can lead
to passport issuance after 12 months, provided prior
residency requirements have been fulfilled.

CYPRIOT REALTY TOURS TO CYPRUS
Cypriot Realty are arranging FOUR inspection tours in MAY/
JUNE and SEPT when they will be in Cyprus accompanying clients
looking at properties.
Your property inspection trip itself is personalised & you will
have your own representative host you in order to make your
time both an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Your agent
will be at your disposal to address any queries that you may
have on a 1-to-1 basis, dealing with you in a professional,
confidential manner.
TOUR 1
CHECK IN MON 7TH SEPT.
CHECK OUT SAT 12TH SEPT.
TOUR 2
CHECK IN MON 14TH SEPT.
CHECK OUT SAT 19TH SEPT.

RESOURCES
Cypriot Realty
www.reimag.co.za