The abolition of stamp duty is a significant development for businesses in Cyprus, as highlighted by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve). This change took effect on January 1, 2026, marking the end of the Stamp Duty Laws that had been in place since 1963.
Keve’s reminder aims to keep businesses and professionals fully informed about this important tax change. The official announcement from the Tax Department, issued on January 7, 2026, clarified that any new documents drafted and signed after January 1, 2026, are exempt from stamp duty.
This exemption extends to various types of contracts and agreements, which means that businesses will no longer have to account for stamp duty obligations on documents executed from that date onwards. Keve emphasised the importance of understanding the implications of this change for day-to-day business operations.
However, the Tax Department specified that documents signed before the deadline—December 31, 2025—will still be subject to stamp duty. Even if just one party has signed a pending document, it must be stamped in accordance with the provisions of the previous laws.
To facilitate this transition, authorised stamp vendors will continue selling stamps that they already have in stock. This measure ensures that documents still subject to stamp duty can be properly stamped during the transition period. Additionally, the Tax Department noted that fees under other legislation can continue to be paid using existing stamps until new procedures are introduced.
Keve has made the full Tax Department announcement available for interested parties, urging them to familiarise themselves with the details. This proactive approach by the chamber aims to assist businesses in adapting to the new tax landscape and taking advantage of the elimination of stamp duty.
