citizenship by — The recent decision by the Council of Ministers has ended the legal basis for citizenship by investment in Cyprus. Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis announced the legislative amendments during a media briefing at the Presidential Palace.
Letymbiotis explained that the amendments were made following recommendations from the Attorney General of the Republic. The changes specifically target the Civil Registry Law, aiming to eliminate provisions that allowed the granting of Cypriot citizenship to entrepreneurs and investors through the now-defunct Cyprus Investment Programme.
Specifically, subsection (2) of Article 111A has been deleted, which previously empowered the Council of Ministers to grant citizenship to those who invested in the country along with their families. This programme, designed to attract foreign investment, was officially terminated in 2020.
In a move to ensure transparency, the cabinet has introduced a 60-day period for individuals affected by citizenship revocation to appeal their cases before the Independent Committee for the Review of Citizenship Revocations. Furthermore, the Interior Minister will be mandated to publish decisions on citizenship deprivation in the Official Gazette, providing clear notification to those involved.
Letymbiotis noted that these legislative recommendations stemmed from consultations between the Law Office of the Republic and the European Commission, signifying a collaborative effort to align Cyprus’s laws with European standards.
Since the current administration took office in March 2023, the Council of Ministers has taken decisive action to revoke citizenship for individuals who had acquired it through the investment scheme. So far, 41 decisions have been made, impacting a total of 150 individuals, including 41 investors and 109 family members. This action is part of a broader initiative to restore Cyprus’s international reputation.
The bill outlining these changes is set to be submitted to the House of Representatives soon for further discussion and approval, marking a significant step in Cyprus’s legislative reform regarding citizenship.
