Cyprus, Schengen Zone's New Entry for 2025 - RIF Trust
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Europe, News feed Date: 17 January, 2025

Cyprus, Schengen Area’s New Entry for 2025

Cyprus, Schengen Area’s New Entry for 2025

RIF Trust on the Cypriot President’s Schengen Pledge

Mimoun Assraoui, RIF Trust CEO, understands why Nikos Christodoulides is pushing for Cyprus, Schengen Zone inclusion. “One of the biggest reasons for our clients securing European Residency by Investment is to enjoy visa-free travel across the Schengen Area,” he notes.

“They want to do this to make business and leisure travel easier across the 29 countries comprising the zone.”

Our CEO concludes: “The Cypriot President appreciates the benefit of extra tourism and investment in his country that accompanies Schengen membership. Investors will be pleased to see the number of countries in the area increasing to 30, enhancing their visa-free travel possibilities.”

Where Is Cyprus?

Cyprus is around 40 miles south of Türkiye, 60 miles west of Syria, and 480 miles southeast of the Greek mainland. Cyprus and Ireland, lacking land borders with other EU states, are the only EU members outside the Schengen Zone. Ireland, unlike Cyprus, has no intention to join the Schengen Area this year.

The Cyprus, Schengen Commitment From Nikos Christodoulides

“We have addressed all political concerns regarding the cease-fire line and are now finalizing the technical details required for accession,” Christodoulides told those attending Hermes Airports’ Beyond Sea and Sun conference in Nicosia on Friday, January 10, 2025.

The “cease-fire line” relates to the fact that the island is split in two since 1974 between the south’s Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-occupied north. A UN-enforced buffer zone divides these areas. It’s known as the Green Line and spreads 180KM across the island.

Christodoulides also pointed to how much more accessible the island has become for visitors. “Cyprus’ airports today cannot be compared to those 20 or 30 years ago – we used to have 20 airlines and today we have about 55,” he shared.

European Golden Visas

Acquiring a European Golden Visa is one way for you and your family to enjoy visa-free access across the Schengen Area, including Cyprus soon. This option is available in 3 countries. They are Greece, Portugal, and Spain.

The Greek Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of €250,000. You can expect to receive your residency rights within 6 to 12 months of applying. Dependents you can include are your spouse, children under 21 (who can remain in the program until they reach 24), parents, and step-parents.

To obtain a Portuguese Golden Visa needs an investment of at least €325,000. Processing time is currently a minimum of 24 months. You can add dependents to your application including your spouse, children, and parents over the age of 55.

A Spanish Golden Visa is available for €350,000. Typically it takes between 5 and 7 months to receive your residency. Dependents can include your spouse or partner, children, parents, and grandparents.

There’s not much to decide on in terms of price. The Greek Golden Visa also offers a route to citizenship after 7 years of residency, the Portuguese Golden Visa 5 years after application, and the Spanish Golden Visa following 10 years of residency.

However, you only need to reside in Spain for 2 years to become a national if you come from Latin America or the Philippines. If this is your preferred Residency by Investment, you have until Wednesday, April 2, 2025 to apply. This Spanish Golden Visa will disappear the next day, although the benefits it offers its holders will remain lifelong.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme

MPRP is another way to ease mobility issues across the expanded Schengen Area. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme requires a minimum investment of €100,000. You can expect to qualify for your residency privileges between 6 and 8 months from the application date.

You can include your spouse or partner as a dependent, along with children, parents, and grandparents. This is the cheapest European Residency by Investment program but there is no opportunity to naturalize as a citizen. Malta does though offer Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization.

The Cypriot President is pushing for Cyprus, Schengen Area inclusion.

How to Visit Cyprus and Other Schengen States Without a Visa in 2025

We have made you aware of the European Residency by Investment programs that guarantee visa-free access to the Schengen Zone. Your next step is to consult a Residency by Investment expert like RIF Trust to discuss which program matches your specific needs.  So, contact us now, and we’ll show you how to start your European residency application today without any further delay.

Cyprus, Schengen Area’s New Entry for 2025

Date: 17 January, 2025

Posted in: Europe, News feed