golden passport — A total of 7,329 foreign nationals acquired Cypriot citizenship through the Cyprus Investment Programme (CIP), commonly referred to as the golden passport scheme. This data was revealed by the Interior Ministry, highlighting the programme’s significant impact on citizenship acquisition in the country.
Golden passport: Investor and Family Member Breakdown
Among the new citizens, 3,522 were direct investors who contributed financially to the country’s economy. The remaining 3,807 individuals obtained citizenship as family members of these investors, illustrating the scheme’s appeal to families seeking new opportunities in Cyprus.
Revocations and Ongoing Investigations
In a notable development, the Interior Ministry also announced the revocation of citizenship for 373 individuals. This group comprises 103 investors and 270 family members, reflecting a critical stance on compliance within the programme. The ministry confirmed that the revocation process has already been completed for 116 of these cases, which includes 35 investors and 81 family members who have officially lost their Cypriot citizenship.
Current Investigations
Further scrutiny is ongoing, as 26 additional investors are currently under investigation for potential citizenship revocation. This indicates a continued effort by the authorities to ensure that the integrity of the citizenship programme is maintained.
Official Oversight
The figures were disclosed following a request by Aristos Damianou, the chairman of the Parliamentary Interior Committee, who sought clarity on the status of the programme. The detailed report was provided by Elikhos Ilias, the Director General of the Interior Ministry, during a committee meeting held on 30 October 2025.
Ceasing of the Programme
The Cyprus Investment Programme was initially designed to attract foreign investment by offering citizenship in return. However, the scheme has faced criticism and scrutiny, leading to its eventual closure. This has raised questions about future investment strategies and the criteria for citizenship in Cyprus.
