By Nexora Cyprus editorial team · General information — seek advice for your circumstances
How capital allowances work
Capital expenditure (asset acquisitions for business use) is NOT immediately expense-deductible. Instead, it is CAPITALISED + depreciated over the asset's useful life via 'capital allowances' (the Cyprus name for tax depreciation). Cyprus prescribes specific allowance RATES per asset class — usually expressed as % of cost per year (straight-line basis).
Cyprus annual wear-and-tear / capital allowance rates by asset class
| Asset class | Annual rate | Useful life |
|---|---|---|
| Plant & machinery (general) | 10% | 10 years |
| Plant & machinery (energy-saving) | 20% | 5 years (accelerated) |
| Office equipment (general) | 10% | 10 years |
| Computers & servers | 20% | 5 years |
| Software (off-the-shelf) | 33⅓% | 3 years |
| Motor vehicles (commercial / vans) | 20% | 5 years |
| Passenger vehicles (private) | Limited / non-deductible | — |
| Industrial buildings | 4% | 25 years |
| Commercial buildings | 3% | 33 years |
| Hotels | 4% | 25 years |
| Apartments / residential rental | 3% | 33 years |
Rates apply on a straight-line basis (standard regime, assets acquired from 1 January 2019). Application software costing under the de-minimis threshold may be expensed in year one; confirm the rate for a specific asset before relying on it.
Cyprus offers accelerated capital allowances for specific asset classes encouraging investment + sustainability:
Cyprus Ltd buys €100,000 of computer servers (20% accelerated rate):
When a depreciated asset is disposed of:
Cyprus Tax Department documents and Cyprus Tax Reform 2026 material publish the controlling material for this topic. Check the current law, form, circular or portal instructions before acting; this article is general information and the live official material prevails.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently. Consult a qualified Cyprus adviser for guidance specific to your situation. The information on this page is general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, immigration or financial advice. Specific advice should be obtained based on the facts of each case.
— References linked in this article
Read each reference alongside the claim it accompanies and check current amendments before relying on it. General information — seek advice for your circumstances.
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