CYPRUS TAX REFERENCE / 2026 EDITION

Cyprus Tax Guide 2026

A practical route through the Cyprus tax rules affecting individuals, companies and internationally active businesses.

Use the guide to move directly to the topic you need—from residence and income-tax rates to corporate taxation, transfer pricing, specialist regimes and filing deadlines.

THE CYPRUS TAX SYSTEM
2026
INDIVIDUALS
COMPANIES
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY
KEY DEADLINES

Updated for the 2026 tax reform. The guide reflects the principal provisions covered in our current tax materials.

01

Individuals

Tax residence and basis of taxation

The Cyprus residence tests and the basis on which an individual’s income may be taxed.

Personal income-tax rates and special modes

Income-tax bands, foreign-pension treatment and other special forms of taxation for individuals.

Exemptions and deductible expenses

Important income exemptions and expenses that may or may not be deductible.

Director, shareholder and employee benefits

The tax treatment of loans, benefits in kind and other amounts provided to directors, shareholders and employees.

Losses for individuals and the self-employed

Rules affecting business losses and losses connected with foreign permanent establishments.

Special Defence Contribution for individuals

How SDC may apply to dividend and interest income received by Cyprus tax-resident, domiciled individuals.

02

Companies

CORE CORPORATE TAX

Corporate tax residence and rate

How corporate tax residence is determined and how Cyprus corporation tax applies.

Exempt income and deductible expenses

Main categories of exempt income and expenses that may or may not be deductible.

Corporate losses

Carry-forward, group-relief and foreign permanent-establishment loss rules.

INTERNATIONAL AND GROUP MATTERS

Anti-tax-avoidance measures

The principal measures governing tax avoidance and cross-border arrangements.

Transfer pricing and the arm’s-length principle

Arm’s-length rules and reporting for transactions between associated persons.

Withholding taxes

Cyprus withholding-tax rules affecting specified Cyprus-source payments.

INCENTIVES AND SPECIALIST REGIMES

Cyprus IP regime

Eligibility, the nexus calculation and the deduction available for qualifying IP profit.

Profits from shipping activities

Overview of the tonnage-tax system for qualifying shipping activities.

Special Defence Contribution for companies

When SDC may apply to company dividend and passive-interest income, including relevant exceptions.

03

Other tax matters

Tax Calendar 2026

Key Cyprus tax and reporting dates for the 2026 compliance cycle.

Wear and tear allowances

Capital allowances available on qualifying business assets.

Cyprus crypto tax from 2026

The 8% flat-rate regime for qualifying crypto gains and its practical scope.

Capital Gains Tax in Cyprus

How CGT applies to Cyprus property and relevant property-rich share disposals.

WHEN THE ANSWER DEPENDS ON YOUR FACTS

Discuss how the Cyprus rules apply to you or your company.

This guide provides general information and does not constitute tax, legal or other professional advice. The application of Cyprus tax rules depends on the relevant facts, legislation and guidance in force at the time.

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