Jurisdictions
Cyprus
Cyprus has been an EU member state since 2004, but its role as a corporate hub goes back further — the legal system is built on English common law from the British colonial era, the currency is the euro, and the regulatory framework reflects decades of deliberate positioning between Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
The draw is straightforward: a 15% corporate tax rate — one of the lowest in the EU — an extensive double taxation treaty network, and an exemption structure purpose-built for international holding companies. That combination is why the jurisdiction has become a go-to holding base for businesses operating across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
We’ve been incorporating companies in Cyprus for decades and use it regularly as the EU layer in multi-jurisdictional structures. When a client needs treaty access, European substance, and a tax-efficient corporate vehicle, Cyprus is where the conversation starts.
Why businesses choose Cyprus
EU Membership and Treaty Access
Cyprus gives you what BVI, Belize, and Seychelles cannot — full EU market access, regulatory passporting, and freedom of establishment. Sixty-five double taxation treaties cover the UK, UAE, China, and most major trading partners. No other jurisdiction at this price point offers the same reach.
Tax-Efficient Holding Structures
Dividends received from foreign subsidiaries are exempt from corporate tax in most cases. Dividends paid to non-resident shareholders carry no withholding tax. Gains on securities disposals are untaxed. While BVI and Belize offer zero headline rates, a properly structured Cyprus holding company pays comparably little on passive flows — with the advantage of EU treaty protection.
Blockchain and Tech-Ready
CySEC provides a clear regulatory path for digital asset activities, the government has committed to blockchain-based national infrastructure including a digital identity system, and Limassol’s tech corridor offers experienced engineers at operating costs well below mainland Europe. For crypto entities needing EU substance without Malta’s higher fees and longer setup timelines, Cyprus is the more efficient route.
What You Can Do Here
Company Formation
Holding companies, trading entities, and corporate structures. Fourteen-day incorporation, 12.5% tax, and access to 65 double taxation treaties.
View formation detailsFintech & Crypto
CySEC-regulated framework for digital asset businesses, with passporting rights and a growing blockchain ecosystem centred in Limassol.
Learn moreNot for everyone
We’d recommend Cyprus when EU substance and treaty access are central to the structure — holding companies, contracting entities, and businesses that need to demonstrate European presence to banks, investors, or counterparties. It’s the right fit when 15% corporate tax is acceptable because the treaty benefits more than offset the higher headline rate.
It’s not the right choice if zero tax is the priority — BVI, Belize, and Seychelles deliver that at lower annual cost. For iGaming, Cyprus prohibits online casinos, so operators should look to Malta, Anjouan, or Curaçao. And if privacy is the main concern, Cyprus’s public beneficial ownership register means every UBO is on record. Many of our clients pair Cyprus with a licensing jurisdiction — the EU holding entity alongside an Anjouan or Curaçao gaming operation, or the parent company above a BVI trading subsidiary.