Cyprus: Compliance

From 5 October 2026, the Cyprus Tax Department will no longer accept email requests to register or amend bank account details for tax refunds. All IBAN changes must be submitted exclusively through...

The Department of the Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property (DRCIP) has issued an updated notice on 16 September 2026 regarding the Beneficial Owners Register (BOR), setting out the annual confirmation requirements applicable for 2026.

The Financial Action Task Force has released a comprehensive report examining how the gaming and gambling industry's evolution into online, cross-border platforms has created new vulnerabilities for money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. The report identifies critical gaps in international regulatory frameworks and provides strategic recommendations for jurisdictions to strengthen their oversight of this increasingly interconnected digital ecosystem.

Cyprus property law now intersects with cryptocurrency regulation as international buyers increasingly seek to use Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins for real estate acquisitions. While crypto-funded property purchases are legally possible in Cyprus, they require careful structuring to satisfy contract law, Land Registry requirements, anti-money laundering obligations, and the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

Cyprus has introduced an 8% tax rate on qualifying crypto-asset disposal gains while implementing full MiCA authorisation requirements following the end of the transitional period on 1 July 2026.

When a Forex or CFD broker's written agreement states "execution-only" service, but account managers regularly recommend specific trades, position sizes, and additional deposits, does the contractual label reflect reality? This analysis examines the critical distinction between genuine execution-only services and situations where firms may be providing investment advice without proper regulatory safeguards, and why the actual communications between broker and client can matter more than the written terms.

The Cyprus Bar Association has issued its first Guidelines on Business-Wide Risk Assessment (BWRA), establishing a comprehensive framework for supervised entities to identify and mitigate money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions risks. These guidelines provide practical direction for compliance with the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulation ahead of its July 2027 implementation deadline, outlining methodologies for risk assessment, control evaluation and ongoing monitoring requirements.

On 23rd June 2026, the Deputy Ministry of Shipping (SDM) issued Circular No. 17/2026, introducing a revised regulatory framework governing the use of Electronic Log Books (e-Log Books) on board Cyprus-flagged vessels...

Cyprus company law mandates the appointment of a company secretary for every incorporated entity, yet many international clients underestimate this role's significance in maintaining statutory compliance and corporate governance. Understanding the legal requirements, core responsibilities, and practical implications of this position is essential for proper company administration and avoiding common compliance pitfalls.