--- title: "Articles" description: "Everything a founder needs to know about relocating to Cyprus. Tax strategy, Non-Dom status, IP Box planning, the 60-day rule, and firm thinking from Royal Pine." author: "despina@allx-media.com" date_published: "2026-06-18T19:23:20+00:00" date_modified: "2026-10-08T08:42:42+00:00" canonical_url: "https://royalpine.com/articles/" reading_time: 7 --- - [Home](https://royalpine.com/) # Everything a founder needs to know about Cyprus Tax strategy, residency and relocation, explained by the people who do it. Start here Leaving your country Should I move? Setting up in Cyprus Choosing an adviser Start here ## The three articles to read first [Cyprus Residency & Relocation](https://royalpine.com/category/cyprus-residency-relocation/) [When Does It Make Sense to Relocate to Cyprus? A Founder’s Checklist](https://royalpine.com/when-does-it-make-sense-to-relocate-to-cyprus-a-founders-checklist/) July 2026 Cyprus can be highly effective for the right founder, but tax rates alone do not determine whether the move makes sense. Assess your income,… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/when-does-it-make-sense-to-relocate-to-cyprus-a-founders-checklist/) [Cyprus Tax Strategy](https://royalpine.com/category/cyprus-tax-strategy/) [Cyprus Non-Dom: 17 Years of Tax Advantages for Founders and Investors.](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-non-dom-17-years-of-tax-advantages-for-founders-and-investors/) June 2026 Cyprus Non-Domiciled status is one of Europe’s most valuable tax frameworks for internationally mobile entrepreneurs , delivering long-term exemptions… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-non-dom-17-years-of-tax-advantages-for-founders-and-investors/) [Cyprus Residency & Relocation](https://royalpine.com/category/cyprus-residency-relocation/) [The Cyprus 60-Day Rule: How to Become a Cyprus Tax Resident Without Living There Full-Time](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-60-day-rule/) June 2026 Most founders assume that changing tax residency means choosing a new country to live in full-time. Cyprus introduced a second route in 2017… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-60-day-rule/) No posts found Leaving your country ## Where are you moving from? Each departure country has its own exit rules. Start with yours. France and Spain guides are in preparation. [Is There a UK Exit Tax? What Founders Moving to Cyprus Need to Know (2026)](https://royalpine.com/uk-exit-tax-cyprus/) August 2026 The UK does not have a deemed-sale exit tax, which surprises founders who expected one. But that does not mean you can leave… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/uk-exit-tax-cyprus/) [Relocating a Business from the UK to Cyprus: A Founder’s Guide](https://royalpine.com/relocating-business-uk-to-cyprus/) August 2026 The end of the UK non-dom regime has pushed more founders to look elsewhere. But relocating personally is only half the job…. [Read more](https://royalpine.com/relocating-business-uk-to-cyprus/) [Can You Redomicile a UK Company to Cyprus?](https://royalpine.com/redomicile-a-uk-company-to-cyprus/) August 2026 A UK company cannot currently redomicile to Cyprus. This guide explains why, what redomiciliation actually means, and the… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/redomicile-a-uk-company-to-cyprus/) [Leaving Germany for Cyprus: What Founders Need to Know About Exit Tax](https://royalpine.com/leaving-germany-for-cyprus/) September 2026 For a German founder, moving to Cyprus involves two separate tax questions. First, Germany may impose exit tax on unrealised… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/leaving-germany-for-cyprus/) [Leaving the Netherlands for Cyprus: The Preserving Assessment That Follows You](https://royalpine.com/leaving-the-netherlands-for-cyprus/) September 2026 If you hold 5% or more of a company, leaving the Netherlands can trigger a preserving assessment on the gain built up while… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/leaving-the-netherlands-for-cyprus/) No posts found Should I move? ## Is Cyprus right for you [Why Wealthy Founders Are Looking at Cyprus in 2026](https://royalpine.com/why-wealthy-founders-are-looking-at-cyprus-in-2026-royal-pine/) August 2026 Cyprus is gaining attention from internationally mobile founders and private wealth. Here’s what the 2026 Henley wealth mobility… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/why-wealthy-founders-are-looking-at-cyprus-in-2026-royal-pine/) [What the Cyprus 2026 Tax Reform Means for Founders.](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-tax-reform-2026/) June 2026 Most discussion around Cyprus’ recent tax reform focuses on rates and incentives. For entrepreneurs relocating to Cyprus… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-tax-reform-2026/) [What Founders Get Wrong About Relocating a Business to Cyprus](https://royalpine.com/what-founders-get-wrong-about-relocating-a-business-to-cyprus/) June 2026 Relocating a business to Cyprus is rarely just a tax or company formation exercise. The biggest mistakes founders make often… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/what-founders-get-wrong-about-relocating-a-business-to-cyprus/) No posts found Setting up in Cyprus ## Company, bank, structure [Setting Up a Cyprus Company as a Relocating Founder: How It Works](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-company-setup-for-founders/) September 2026 Forming a Cyprus company is simple. Running one that holds up to tax scrutiny is not. What a relocating… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-company-setup-for-founders/) [Opening a Cyprus Bank Account as an International Founder: What Banks Actually Ask For](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-business-bank-account/) August 2026 Opening a Cyprus business bank account requires more than company documents. Learn what banks assess,… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-business-bank-account/) [How to Optimise Your Tax Structure as a Founder (And When to Get Professional Help)](https://royalpine.com/founder-tax-structure-optimization/) August 2026 Four levers determine your effective rate as a founder, and they only work designed together. What each… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/founder-tax-structure-optimization/) [Cyprus IP Box 2026: What Actually Qualifies for the 3% Rate.](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-ip-box/) June 2026 The Cyprus IP Box regime offers an effective corporate tax rate of 3% on qualifying intellectual property… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-ip-box/) [Cyprus Startup Visa 2025: What Changed and Why It Matters for Non-EU Founders](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-startup-visa-2025-gateway-global-entrepreneurs-to-thrive/) December 2024 The Cyprus Startup Visa changed in January 2025: three-year permits, minimum equity down to 25%, and… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-startup-visa-2025-gateway-global-entrepreneurs-to-thrive/) [Cyprus Beneficial Ownership Register: What the 2024 Amendments Mean for Founders](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-beneficial-ownership-register-recent-amendments-explained/) December 2024 Cyprus’ 2024 Beneficial Ownership Register amendments reduce penalties, narrow liability, and introduce… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-beneficial-ownership-register-recent-amendments-explained/) No posts found Choosing an adviser ## Who to trust with the move [Cyprus Advisory Fees: What Founders Actually Pay For](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-advisory-fees-hourly-vs-subscription-royal-pine/) July 2026 Cyprus advisers typically charge by the hour or by project. This article explains the hidden… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/cyprus-advisory-fees-hourly-vs-subscription-royal-pine/) [How to Choose a Cyprus Structuring Firm: Ten Signals to Read Before You Commit](https://royalpine.com/choosing-structuring-firm/) June 2026 Ten practical signals to read before you commit to a Cyprus corporate services firm. From regulatory… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/choosing-structuring-firm/) [AI Cyprus Tax Advice: What LLMs Get Right and Wrong](https://royalpine.com/ai-cyprus-tax-advice/) July 2026 ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can explain the Cyprus tax framework quickly. But personalised advice,… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/ai-cyprus-tax-advice/) [From Operator to Owner: A Conversation with Constantinos Economides](https://royalpine.com/from-operator-to-owner-constantinos-economides/) June 2026 Royal Pine was founded in 2016 by Constantinos Economides, a Cyprus-based corporate services… [Read more](https://royalpine.com/from-operator-to-owner-constantinos-economides/) No posts found Cyprus Strategy as a Service ## Each article covers one decision. A strategy call covers yours. More of your wealth. More of your life. Apply for a strategy call ## Common questions What is the 60-day rule and how is it different from the 183-day rule? Cyprus has two routes to tax residency. The standard route requires 183 days on the island in a calendar year. The 60-day rule is available to founders who are not tax resident in any other country for more than 183 days in the same year. To qualify, you must spend at least 60 days in Cyprus, maintain permanent residence here (owned or rented), and hold a directorship or employment with a Cyprus company. Both routes produce full Cyprus tax resident status with access to Non-Dom status. How long does Non-Dom status last, and can I lose it? Non-Dom status is available for 17 years out of any 20 consecutive tax years as a Cyprus tax resident. It exempts dividend income and interest from the 17% Special Defence Contribution that applies to Cyprus-domiciled individuals. It does not exempt salary, rental income, or capital gains from immovable Cyprus property. Founders who become Cyprus-domiciled before the 17 years expire lose the status permanently, which is why the timing of your domicile declaration matters. Do I need to close my foreign company before relocating? Not necessarily, but retaining a foreign company after relocation creates risk if it has management and control in its home country, which can include a director who has since moved abroad. The more common approach is to interpose a Cyprus holding company above the existing trading entity, or to redomicile, depending on your jurisdiction. The right answer depends on your country of origin, the nature of the business, and existing contractual obligations. What exit tax do I face when leaving my home country? Exit tax exposure varies by country. Germany imposes a departure tax on shareholdings above 1% for founders resident ten or more years. The Netherlands applies a preserving assessment on gains in substantial interests (5% or more) payable for up to ten years after departure. The UK changed its non-dom rules in April 2025, introducing a four-year residence threshold. Each of these requires specific planning before departure, not after arrival in Cyprus. What income does Cyprus tax for a Non-Dom resident? Cyprus taxes employment and self-employment income at standard rates up to 35%, with a 50% exemption on employment income above EUR 55,000 for new residents during the first ten years. Dividends and interest received by a Non-Dom individual carry zero SDC. There is no wealth tax, no inheritance tax, and no capital gains tax on the disposal of shares in non-property-owning companies.