The authoritative source for Cypriot market regulations is the government of Cyprus. This guidance links to official Cypriot sources wherever possible.
Trade and services regulations in Cyprus
If you are a UK business providing services in Cyprus, you need to follow regulations about:
- getting authorisations or licences to provide a service
- complying with specific local business regulations
- EEA nationality requirements which could prevent you from providing services in some sectors
The Cyprus e-government portal for service providers can help you to:
- find out what you need to know about providing services in Cyprus
- understand local regulations
- complete the administrative processes online
Consider appointing an English-speaking lawyer in Cyprus to help you comply with specific regulations.
To find out if EEA nationality requirements apply to you, contact the appropriate competent authority, for example, the:
Trade reservations
To sell or provide services to customers in Cyprus, you must follow local laws. If in doubt, you should get professional advice.
Reservations are part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. They reserve the right of each party to keep or make new laws restricting investment, or the sale of services, in ways that would otherwise breach the rules in the agreement.
Check which reservations apply to the sale of services from the UK to Cyprus. This includes an interactive tool to find reservations that are already in place.
VAT on sales of digital services
To use the UK’s VAT Mini One Stop Shop (MOSS) to declare sales of digital services to EU consumers, businesses need to register for MOSS in an EU member state.
Find out more about paying VAT on sales of digital services.
Ownership of companies registered in Cyprus
If you have a UK business, you might face restrictions on your ability to own, manage or direct a company registered in Cyprus or any other EEA country.
For information about setting up and running a business in Cyprus, visit the Point of Single Contact.
See our guidance relating to the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Ownership of legal firms in Cyprus
UK legal professionals who have investments in law firms in Cyprus should contact the Cyprus Bar Association for further information on the implications for your investment.
Business travel and entry requirements
UK business travellers and service providers may need a visa, work permit or other documentation. Check if you need a visa or permit for Europe.
The Cyprus Civil Registry and Migration Department has more information about:
- visas including intra-corporate transfers
- work and residence permits
- supporting documentation
- other conditions
Check which actions travellers visiting Europe need to take.
Social security payments for employees
Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Cyprus.
Recognition of professional qualifications
To check what you need to do in Cyprus, read our guidance on professional qualifications in the EEA and Switzerland.
If you need to take action to secure the recognition of your professional qualification in Cyprus, these sources can help you:
The UK Centre for Professional Qualifications (UK CPQ) provides practical assistance and advice to:
- professionals who qualified overseas and are interested in working in the UK
- UK professionals seeking to practise overseas
UK statutory auditors working in Cyprus
For UK statutory auditors, the Cyprus Audit Oversight Board should be able to provide further information.
UK lawyers working in Cyprus
If you are a UK-qualified lawyer working in Cyprus, using either a Cypriot or UK professional title, you should contact the local Bar association in the region where you are working or the Cyprus Bar Association for specific advice.
Data transfer and GDPR
As part of the wider UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the free flow of personal data from EEA to the UK will continue after 1 January 2021 for no longer than 6 months, until adequacy decisions come into effect.
As a sensible precaution during this 6 month period, it is recommended that you work with organisations in EEA that transfer personal data to you, to put in place alternative transfer mechanisms to safeguard against any interruption to the free flow of EU to UK personal data.
Read guidance on using personal data in your business or other organisation.
