Invest Cyprus Courts London Investors, Showcasing Island as EU Base for Regional Growth

At an FT Locations briefing held at the Financial Times’ London headquarters on 22 September, national investment-promotion agency Invest Cyprus pitched the island as a stable springboard for businesses looking to serve Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Chairman Evgenios Evgeniou highlighted Cyprus’ EU membership, common-law framework and expanding talent pool as key attractions for corporates relocating back-office and fintech operations. Case studies from MUFG Investor Services and payments firm payabl. underscored the narrative: MUFG has grown its Nicosia hub to 350 staff in four years, while payabl. relies on Cyprus for compliance and risk-management functions. Speakers stressed that companies now prioritise regulatory certainty, skilled labour and time-zone advantages over pure cost arbitrage—a trend that plays to Cyprus’ strengths. For global-mobility and HR leaders, the messaging is timely. Cyprus offers a 60-day fast-track work-permit route for highly skilled third-country nationals, a 12-month digital-nomad visa extendable to three years, and a 12.5 % corporate-tax rate set to rise only gradually to the OECD minimum of 15 % in 2027. Combined with English-language schooling and direct air links to 40 major cities, these incentives make the island a viable alternative to established hubs like Dublin or Malta. Relocation advisers note that the government plans to further streamline immigration processes by integrating medical-check uploads and biometric bookings into the e-migration portal by Q1 2027—reducing paperwork for assignees. However, housing shortages in Limassol remain a bottleneck, and employers are advised to budget for rental inflation of up to 8 % next year. Invest Cyprus will replicate the FT Locations format in Dubai and Mumbai later this year, targeting family-office and tech investors. The agency’s outreach aligns with Cyprus’ “Vision 2035” strategy, which aims to double the number of knowledge-economy jobs and fortify the island’s appeal as a regional HQ hub.