Cyprus company formation.

An EU base with international reach.

Cyprus has long served as a holding, trading and services base for international groups, combining EU membership with a legal system rooted in English law.

Companies are registered under the Companies Law, Cap. 113, by the Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property, and taxed by the Tax Department of the Ministry of Finance. Tax reform enacted at the end of 2025 raised the corporate income tax rate from 12.5% to 15% from the 2026 tax year and changed the filing calendar.

AT Express is headquartered in Cyprus, with offices in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Singapore. Our Paphos headquarters handles Cyprus formations, banking introductions and compliance directly, alongside licensed lawyers and auditors. Our detailed step-by-step guide to setting up a company in Cyprus covers each stage.

The private company limited by shares.

The private company limited by shares is the standard vehicle for holding, trading and service businesses. Foreign groups may alternatively register a branch, and groups relocating staff may benefit from the Business Facilitation Unit for foreign-interest companies.

What sets Cyprus apart.

• EU membership, with access to EU directives and the single market.
• One director and one shareholder are legally sufficient, of any nationality.
• A common-law system and English widely used in business.
• A broad network of double tax treaties.
• Personal tax incentives for new residents, including the non-domicile regime.

Tax for Cyprus companies.

According to the Tax Department and the Ministry of Finance, the corporate income tax rate is 15% from the 2026 tax year. A company is tax resident in Cyprus if it is managed and controlled there, which makes genuine local management important. Our guides explain the 2026 corporate tax changes, the corporate tax return calendar and VAT registration.

A balanced view.

What you will need.

• An approved company name.
• At least one director and one shareholder, and a company secretary.
• A registered office in Cyprus.
• A memorandum and articles of association prepared and signed with a Cyprus lawyer.
• Identification and due diligence documents for all officers and beneficial owners.

From first call to certificate.

An accelerated procedure is available for an additional fee. Our Cyprus set-up guide explains each step and the official fees.

Keeping the company in good standing.

• Annual return filed with the Registrar, with financial statements; see our annual return guide.
• Annual fee payable to the Registrar.
• Audited financial statements and a corporate tax return each year.
• Beneficial ownership register kept up to date.
• VAT and payroll filings where registered.

Banking for a Cyprus company.

Cyprus banks are supervised within the European banking framework and apply careful due diligence, with substance in Cyprus often helping. Approval is at the bank’s discretion. Our guide to opening a company bank account in Cyprus explains what banks look for, and our international bank account page covers options elsewhere.

Further reading on Cyprus.

As our group is headquartered in Cyprus, we publish more detailed guidance on companies registered or managed there. Each guide reflects the rules at the time of writing; please check the official sources or speak to us before acting.

Frequently asked questions.

Official sources.

1. Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property, Applying to incorporate a company.
2. Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property, Choosing a company name.
3. Tax Department, Ministry of Finance, Tax reform 2026.
4. Council of the European Union, EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
5. OECD, International standards on tax transparency, including the Common Reporting Standard.
6. Internal Revenue Service, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).