The Cyprus Company at a glance

Company type: LTD (Limited Liability Company). Also referred to as an: I.B.C. (International Business Company)

Applicable Law: The Cyprus Companies Law, CAP.113;

Company name: Desirable names are submitted to the Registrar of Companies for approval. It can take between 2-5 working days to get a name approved. Name application can be rejected due to similarity with Company names already registered. Company names must end with the suffix LTD or LIMITED;

Incorporation timescale: After name approval, it usually takes 5-10 working days, depending on the workload of the Cyprus Registrar of Companies;

Shelf Companies: YES available!;

Registered office: YES it is a requirement. A physical address is needed, and not a P.O. Box;

Company Secretary: YES it is a requirement and can either be a natural person or a legal entity, preferably Cyprus resident, but can be of any nationality;

Company Director: YES it is a requirement and can either be a natural person or a legal entity, must be a resident of Cyprus in order to meet residency criteria for tax purposes;

Annual Returns requirement: YES

Financial Statements requirement: YES

Same person or legal entity can act as Shareholder (Member), Director and Secretary;

Minimum 1 Shareholder (Member), maximum 50;

Minimum share capital: Usually 1000 shares of EUR1 each;

Details filed with the Registrar of Companies and found on public record: Memorandum & Articles of Association, Shareholder, Director, Secretary and Registered Office. The identity of the Beneficial Owner can be protected through the use of Nominees.

Strict confidentiality laws apply;

Anti-money laundering legislation in place? YES

Double Taxation Agreements in place? YES, please contact us for a full list of countries with which Cyprus has entered into Agreements for the avoidance of Double-Taxation;

Corporate tax: Uniform 10% on profits (5% on interest, 0% on dividends).