Cyprus: Corporate Tax

Employee share schemes are becoming an increasingly attractive tool for companies seeking to recruit, motivate and retain talented employees while promoting long-term business growth. By offering employees the opportunity to acquire shares or benefit from an increase in the company’s value, these schemes align employees’ interests with those of the business and its shareholders.

People moving to Cyprus often want to know how the country will tax their dividends, interest and other income. The answer starts with two separate questions: are they tax resident in Cyprus, and where are they domiciled? A residence permit, a property purchase or a Cyprus company does not answer either question by itself.

Cyprus has raised its corporate income tax rate from 12.5% to 15%, but the total tax burden on distributed profits has actually fallen by more than eight percentage points for Cyprus-domiciled shareholders due to a dramatic cut in the Special Contribution for Defence on dividends. However, non-domiciled residents and foreign shareholders now face higher effective rates, fundamentally reshaping the island's tax competitiveness for different investor categories.

Even at the F1 Grand Prix, smart founders talk tax. With the Cyprus IP Box regime, tech companies, app developers and IP owners pay an effective tax rate of just 3% on qualifying IP income — an 80% exemption that survived the 2026 tax reform (standard corporate tax is now 15%). Combine it with non-dom status and 0% tax on dividends, and Cyprus puts your business in pole position. Our team handles the structuring, IP Box application and all filings from A to Z.

Cyprus continues to strengthen its position as a leading international business and investment hub through the expansion and modernisation of its Double Tax Treaty (DTT) network. These treaties help businesses and individuals avoid being taxed twice on the same income while providing greater certainty for cross-border investments and international operations.

Cyprus IP Box Process Explained (3% Total Tax for Technology Companies)

Cyprus has long established itself as one of Europe’s leading jurisdictions for intellectual property structuring, offering innovative businesses, software developers, and multinational groups a legally...

The first-time Double Tax Treaty (DTT) between the Republic of Cyprus and The Kingdom of The Netherlands, signed on 1 June 2021, came into force on 30 June 2023 and its provisions are applicable as from 1 January 2024 onwards.

Cyprus continues to leverage its strategic position as an international service centre in 2026, benefiting from competitive tax advantages and a growing technology sector. However, the influx of foreign companies and workers has created significant housing affordability challenges that threaten social equality. The country must balance economic growth with targeted policy responses to ensure prosperity remains inclusive for local residents.