A new study by residence-planning firm Henley & Partners names Cyprus the fourth most attractive jurisdiction globally – and the top in Europe – for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) seeking long-term relocation in 2026. The findings, published on 6 July in the "Millionaires on the Move" report, score countries on legal flexibility, tax incentives, lifestyle, business environment and connectivity. Cyprus received 73.5 out of 100, edging past the Netherlands and Portugal and trailing only Singapore, New Zealand and the Cayman Islands. Henley analysts credit the island’s combination of a competitive 12.5 % corporate tax rate, non-dom regime for foreign-sourced income, English-language legal system and fast-track residence permits for investors.
![Henley report ranks Cyprus 4th worldwide for attracting wealthy expatriate investors]()
For HNWIs mapping out their move, visa and residency paperwork can be a maze; this is where VisaHQ proves invaluable. The firm’s dedicated Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) streamlines applications for entry visas, residence permits and related documents, guiding users through requirements, fees and timelines while offering personalised support—a convenient one-stop resource that complements Cyprus’s investor-friendly framework.
Notably, Cyprus has maintained investor-friendly rules even after terminating its controversial citizenship-by-investment scheme in 2024, pivoting instead to permanent-residence routes tied to real-estate purchases and corporate substance requirements. For multinational companies, the report reinforces Cyprus’ status as a viable headquarters location that can attract senior executives who prefer warm climates, Schengen-adjacent travel rights and schools following British curricula. The influx of HNWIs also supports ancillary sectors such as private aviation, yacht services and international schools, creating deeper talent pools and service ecosystems for expatriate staff at all levels. However, the study warns that competition is intensifying: Italy’s lump-sum tax option and Greece’s revamped Golden Visa are drawing similar profiles, while France and Germany are tightening wealth-tax rules that may push more entrepreneurs toward Mediterranean alternatives. To stay ahead, Cyprus is advised to continue digitalising immigration processes – a goal underscored by the online permit-renewal launch the same day. Employers eyeing Cyprus as a base should monitor forthcoming amendments to the Income Tax Law, expected later this year, which aim to cement preferential rates for first-time resident executives earning above €55,000. Private-client advisers also note that banks now require enhanced due-diligence documentation before opening accounts for new arrivals, reflecting EU AML directives.
For HNWIs mapping out their move, visa and residency paperwork can be a maze; this is where VisaHQ proves invaluable. The firm’s dedicated Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) streamlines applications for entry visas, residence permits and related documents, guiding users through requirements, fees and timelines while offering personalised support—a convenient one-stop resource that complements Cyprus’s investor-friendly framework.
Notably, Cyprus has maintained investor-friendly rules even after terminating its controversial citizenship-by-investment scheme in 2024, pivoting instead to permanent-residence routes tied to real-estate purchases and corporate substance requirements. For multinational companies, the report reinforces Cyprus’ status as a viable headquarters location that can attract senior executives who prefer warm climates, Schengen-adjacent travel rights and schools following British curricula. The influx of HNWIs also supports ancillary sectors such as private aviation, yacht services and international schools, creating deeper talent pools and service ecosystems for expatriate staff at all levels. However, the study warns that competition is intensifying: Italy’s lump-sum tax option and Greece’s revamped Golden Visa are drawing similar profiles, while France and Germany are tightening wealth-tax rules that may push more entrepreneurs toward Mediterranean alternatives. To stay ahead, Cyprus is advised to continue digitalising immigration processes – a goal underscored by the online permit-renewal launch the same day. Employers eyeing Cyprus as a base should monitor forthcoming amendments to the Income Tax Law, expected later this year, which aim to cement preferential rates for first-time resident executives earning above €55,000. Private-client advisers also note that banks now require enhanced due-diligence documentation before opening accounts for new arrivals, reflecting EU AML directives.
