How to Register a Company in Cyprus (2026): Step-by-Step Guide — €165, 10 Days

Types of Cyprus Business Entity

Before incorporating, you need to select the correct legal form. The overwhelming majority of foreign-owned and entrepreneurial businesses use the private company limited by shares (Ltd). This is Cyprus's equivalent of the UK private limited company and the German GmbH — a separate legal entity with limited liability for its shareholders.

Step 1 — HE1: Name Approval

The first formal step is filing an HE1 form with the Registrar of Companies (Department of Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver — DRCOR). The HE1 allows you to submit up to three preferred company names in order of preference.

The Registrar checks the proposed name against the existing register for identical or confusingly similar names, and reviews it against the list of restricted or prohibited words (e.g., 'bank', 'insurance', 'trust', 'royal', 'government' all require specific licences or ministerial consent). Name approval typically takes 5–7 working days.

• Submit up to three names — the Registrar approves the first acceptable one
• Avoid names that imply a regulated activity without the corresponding licence
• Names may be in Greek or Latin script (or both)
• Once approved, the name is reserved while you complete incorporation
• We advise on name availability and regulatory constraints before submission

Step 2 — HE2 & HE3: Registered Office and Officers

Once the name is approved, the company is incorporated by filing the HE2 (Registered Office declaration) and HE3 (Directors and Secretary registration) simultaneously with the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

HE2 requires a physical Cyprus address — a PO Box is not sufficient. This address is publicly listed on the Cyprus Companies Register and is used for service of official documents. We provide a Cyprus registered office address as part of our incorporation service.

HE3 records the initial directors and company secretary. Cyprus private companies require at least one director (individual or corporate) and one company secretary. There is no requirement for directors to be Cyprus residents, although tax and economic substance considerations may make resident or locally managed directors preferable.

Step 3 — Memorandum & Articles of Association (M&AA)

The M&AA is the constitutional document of the company. The Memorandum sets out the company's name, registered office, objects (business purposes), and authorised share capital. The Articles govern internal management: meetings, voting rights, dividend policy, share transfer restrictions, and director powers.

Cyprus law follows a broad objects approach — most M&AAs are drafted with wide objects clauses to avoid constraining future activities. Bespoke provisions (class shares, weighted voting, drag-along/tag-along rights, pre-emption clauses, put/call options) are available and should be considered at incorporation rather than by later amendment. After company formation, the next priority is usually setting up payroll and VAT registration if trading immediately.

Registrar Fees and Government Charges

Registrar and professional fees depend on the filing route, authorised capital, requested certificates and any expedited option available at the time. Confirm the current official fee schedule and processing option before filing. See the annual return guide for obligations that arise after incorporation.

The €165 fee covers the standard registration of the HE1, HE2, HE3, and M&AA in a single submission. Legal/professional fees for drafting and filing are charged separately by the service provider.

Post-Incorporation: Tax and Regulatory Registrations

Incorporation creates the company but does not automatically register it for tax or other purposes. Review our pricing for a full breakdown of what's included in our formation packages. Within a short period of incorporation, the following registrations must be completed:

1. 1Tax Identification Number (TIN) — apply to the Cyprus Tax Department (TAXISnet portal)
2. 2VAT registration — mandatory when taxable turnover exceeds €15,600/year; voluntary registration is available below this threshold and often advisable
3. 3VIES registration — required for intra-EU supply of goods or services
4. 4Social Insurance (if employing staff) — register with the District Labour Office and Social Insurance Services
5. 5AML/KYC compliance — appoint a compliance officer and establish AML policies if required by the company's activities

Typical Incorporation Timeline

Expedited Registrar processing can reduce the HE2/HE3 stage to 1–2 working days for an additional €100 fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

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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.