If you own rental property in Cyprus — or you are considering buying — the tax picture is more nuanced than the headline rate suggests. Cyprus has no wealth tax, no annual property tax, and no inheritance tax. But rental income is taxable, and there are two parallel tax systems that apply depending on your residency status.
Here is the 2026 breakdown for landlords.
How Rental Income Is Taxed in Cyprus
Rental income in Cyprus is subject to income tax at the standard personal income tax bands:
| Annual income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to EUR 22,000 | 0% |
| EUR 22,001 to EUR 32,000 | 20% |
| EUR 32,001 to EUR 42,000 | 25% |
| EUR 42,001 to EUR 72,000 | 30% |
| Over EUR 72,000 | 35% |
Rental income stacks on top of any other earned income. If you already have EUR 40,000 in salary or business income, your first euro of rental income is taxed at 25-30%.
Allowable deductions reduce your taxable rental income. Cyprus allows deductions for:
- Insurance premiums on the property
- Interest on loans used to acquire the property
- Wear and tear (depreciation): 10% per year on furnished properties, 3% on unfurnished buildings
- Repairs and maintenance costs
- Management fees
- Ground rent
You cannot deduct your own labor (e.g., time spent managing the property).
Special Defence Contribution (SDC) on Rental Income
This is where it gets interesting — and where the Cyprus Non-Dom status makes a significant difference.
Cyprus domiciliaries (residents who are also domiciled in Cyprus) pay SDC on gross rental income at 3%. Non-Dom residents pay zero SDC.
SDC applies to gross rental income — not after deductions. So for a property generating EUR 24,000 per year in rent:
- Domiciled resident: EUR 720 SDC on top of income tax
- Non-Dom resident: EUR 0 SDC
For landlords with significant rental portfolios, the SDC saving is meaningful.
Capital Gains Tax on Property Sales
Cyprus charges Capital Gains Tax (CGT) at 20% on gains from the disposal of:
- Cyprus immovable property
- Shares in companies whose assets consist mainly of Cyprus immovable property
This is distinct from shares in listed companies or other financial assets, which are CGT-exempt in Cyprus.
Allowable costs that reduce your CGT liability:
- Acquisition cost (indexed for inflation via the Land Registry table)
- Improvement costs (with receipts)
- Selling expenses (legal fees, agent commissions, transfer fees)
Lifetime exemption: Cyprus provides a once-in-a-lifetime CGT exemption on the disposal of your principal private residence. The amounts vary by category but are substantial — up to EUR 85,430 for individuals selling their main home.
Indexation: The purchase price is adjusted for inflation from the date of acquisition to the date of sale using an official index. This reduces the taxable gain significantly for properties held for many years.
For properties bought in, say, 2005 and sold now, the indexed acquisition cost might be 40-50% higher than the actual purchase price paid, dramatically reducing the capital gain.
No Wealth Tax, No Annual Property Tax
Cyprus abolished its Immovable Property Tax (IPT) in 2017. There is no annual tax on property you own in Cyprus, unlike many other EU countries.
Combined with zero inheritance tax and zero gift tax (for transfers within the immediate family), Cyprus is one of the most landlord-friendly environments in the EU for long-term property holding.
VAT on Residential Property
For new residential properties purchased directly from developers, VAT applies at 19% in most cases. However, a reduced 5% VAT rate applies for first-home buyers on properties up to 130 sqm (with conditions).
For property investors buying to rent, the 5% reduced rate only applies if you personally occupy the property as your primary residence for at least 10 years. Rental properties do not qualify for the reduced rate on purchase.
For secondary market purchases (resale properties), no VAT applies — you pay Land Registry transfer fees instead.
Practical Tax Structure for a Cyprus Landlord
For someone with significant rental income, the optimal structure depends on scale:
Personal ownership (small portfolio, 1-3 properties):
- Simpler administration
- Personal income tax rates apply
- Non-Dom status eliminates SDC
- Standard deductions reduce taxable income
Through a Cyprus company (larger portfolio or mixed use):
- Rental income taxed at 15% corporate rate
- No SDC at company level
- More complex administration and compliance costs
- CGT still applies at company level on property disposals
For most individual landlords, personal ownership with Non-Dom status is the cleaner structure. The company route makes more sense when there are multiple properties, active trading, or when the rental business is integrated with other commercial activity.
What You Need to Get Started
If you are moving to Cyprus as a landlord or property investor:
- Establish residency: The 60-day tax residency rule or the standard 183-day rule applies. You need to be a Cyprus tax resident to benefit from Non-Dom status.
- Get your Yellow Slip: For EU citizens, the Yellow Slip guide covers the registration process that unlocks your TIN and formal residency status.
- Apply for Non-Dom status: Separate application to the Tax Department once you are tax resident. This eliminates the 3% SDC on rental income.
- Register rental income: All rental income must be declared on your annual personal tax return (IR1) via Taxisnet.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Tax rates and rules are for 2026. Consult a qualified Cyprus tax advisor for your specific situation.
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