How to set up a company in Cyprus in 2026 step by step

Cyprus remains one of the most frequently chosen EU jurisdictions for holding, trading and service companies. It combines a common-law-based legal system, English widely used in business and a corporate tax rate that, although raised in 2026, remains among the lower rates in the European Union. As of October 2026 the incorporation process is handled by the Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property, and most steps can be completed online through its e-filing system.

This guide is the hub of our company series. The obligations that follow incorporation are covered separately, starting with the annual return and Registrar filings and VAT registration for companies.

Choosing and approving the company name

The process starts with the name. The Registrar recommends searching the business entities register and registered trademarks before applying, as names too similar to existing entities, or misleading or undesirable names, are refused. The Registrar’s search is not limited to Cypriot entities, so names associated with well-known international brands may also be rejected.

Private companies must end their name with “Limited” or “Ltd” when written in Latin characters. The application costs €10 per proposed name, with an extra €20 per name for accelerated examination. Words that imply regulated activities may require prior consent from the competent authority.

Filing for incorporation

Once the name is approved, incorporation must be filed within six months. The e-filing submission includes:

• a statutory declaration (form HE1) signed and sworn before the court by the lawyer handling the incorporation;
• the memorandum and articles of association, signed in Greek, or a reference to Table A of the Companies Law if those model regulations are adopted;
• a solemn declaration of the witness to signatures;
• any consent required for the name or the nature of the business;
• the fee of €165, or €235 for a company without share capital.

An accelerated procedure costs an additional €100. If the founders want certified copies of the constitutional documents in another language, a file of translations can be created for a further €160. Paper filings also require forms HE2 and HE3 for the registered office and the first directors and secretary.

After the certificate of incorporation

Registration with the Registrar is only the first step. The new company will normally need to:

• register with the Tax Department for a tax identification number and, where relevant, for VAT;
• register as an employer with Social Insurance Services if it will have staff;
• record its beneficial owners in the register maintained under anti-money laundering legislation;
• open a bank or payment account, which involves the bank’s own due diligence.

Our corporate services overview explains how these stages are commonly organised.

The annual confirmation of owners is explained in our article on the beneficial ownership register.

For a structured overview of the process, our corporate services page sets out how we support each stage from name approval to registration.

The tax picture after the 2026 reform

Cyprus enacted a broad tax reform at the end of 2025. According to the Tax Department and the Ministry of Finance, the corporate income tax rate rose from 12.5% to 15% from 1 January 2026, aligning the headline rate with the OECD global minimum. Other changes took effect at the same time: tax losses can now be carried forward for seven years instead of five, stamp duty was abolished, and an incorporation test was added to the definition of corporate tax residency, subject to tax treaties. The reform should be read in full with an adviser, as its application depends on the company’s activities and its shareholders’ residence.

Filing dates and provisional tax are set out in our guide to corporate tax deadlines.

Substance and practical considerations

Banks, counterparties and tax authorities increasingly look at whether a company has real substance in Cyprus. That can mean local directors with genuine decision-making authority, office premises, staff and board meetings held in Cyprus. These factors matter for treaty access and for how other countries view the company, even though, since 2026, a Cyprus-incorporated company is generally treated as Cyprus tax resident unless a tax treaty provides otherwise.

The time required depends on whether the accelerated procedures are used and on the completeness of the documents. Founders based abroad should allow time for notarisation, apostilles and courier delivery of signed documents.

If you would like to talk through how these rules might apply to your own circumstances, our team would be glad to help. You can call +357 979 42 388 or write to us through our contact page.

Sources

• Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property, Choosing a company name, as of October 2026.
• Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property, Applying to incorporate a company, as of October 2026.
• Tax Department, Tax Reform 2026, posted 29 May 2026.
• Ministry of Finance, Tax reform (in Greek), as of October 2026.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Figures are stated as of 2026 and may change; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and an independent adviser before acting. AT Express is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government or official programme.

Featured image: “Workspace (Unsplash)” by Damian Patkowski, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (public domain dedication).