No general licence, specific regimes
Business Licences & Permits in Cyprus
Cyprus has no general trade licence. It does licence the people who administer companies for others.
GCC business setup specialists
The service provider regime catches more than people expect
Most Cypriot businesses need no licence to trade, only municipal permits for their premises. But administering companies for third parties — providing directors, registered offices, or company administration as a service — is a regulated activity requiring authorisation as an administrative service provider. Businesses that plan to offer those services alongside their main trade frequently discover this late.
- Whether anything you do is actually licensed, established early
- Municipal and premises permits mapped for your location
- The service provider regime flagged where it applies to you
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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What applies
Licensing and permits in Cyprus
Premises permits for most; authorisation for some.
| Requirement | When it applies | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| General trade licence | Does not exist | — |
| Municipal permit | Premises and signage | Municipality or community |
| Administrative service provider authorisation | Administering entities for others | Securities regulator or professional body |
| Investment firm authorisation | Investment services | Securities regulator |
| Health and food permits | Food premises | Health services and municipality |
| Sector permits | Tourism, construction and others | Relevant authority |
Licensing requirements, the administrative service provider regime and municipal permit requirements are set by the authorities and change. Yours are checked before application. Cyprus is a European Union member state, so EU directives, the single market and EU anti-avoidance measures all apply. That is the substantive difference between Cyprus and an offshore jurisdiction, and it cuts both ways.
How it works
Establishing what you need
Activity, then premises.
01
Check the activity
Whether anything you intend to do is a regulated activity, with particular attention to services provided to other companies.
02
Address the premises
Municipal permits for the location and activity, and health or sector permits where the activity requires them.
03
Maintain
Permit renewals tracked and variations filed when the activity or premises change.
- Exactly what the business will do
- Whether you will provide services to other companies
- Whether you will act as a director for others
- Whether you will provide registered offices
- Whether investment services are involved
- Whether you will hold client money
- Premises location and type
- Whether food is prepared or served
- Whether construction or tourism activity is involved
- Whether professional qualifications are held
- Expected turnover
- Whether staff will be employed
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Activity assessment against regulated regimes
- Municipal permit applications
- Health and sector permit co-ordination
- Identification of service provider authorisation needs
- Guidance where authorisation is required
- Permit renewal tracking
- Variations when the business changes
- One adviser co-ordinating it
Not included, quoted separately
- Permit and authorisation fees, paid at cost
- Investment firm or service provider authorisation, quoted separately
- Premises rent and fit-out
- Professional qualification recognition
- Authority decisions
- Health inspection remediation
- Audit and accounts preparation
- Bank onboarding decisions
Verify independently
Official Cypriot authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual PropertyTax DepartmentVAT ServiceSocial Insurance ServicesCyprus Securities and Exchange CommissionInstitute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus
Questions
Cyprus business licensing — FAQs
Do I need a licence to trade in Cyprus?
There is no general trade licence. Most businesses need only municipal permits for their premises, plus sector permits where applicable.
What is an administrative service provider?
A regulated role covering administering companies for third parties — acting as director, providing registered offices or company administration as a service. It requires authorisation.
Would my business be caught by that?
If you intend to offer those services to other companies, very likely. It is worth establishing before you advertise them.
What municipal permits apply?
Premises and signage permits from the local municipality or community, with requirements varying by location and activity.
Who regulates investment services?
The securities regulator, and that is a substantial authorisation rather than a permit. We identify it early where relevant.
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