Below, our Cyprus company formation consultants provide detailed information on the limited liability company. You can rely on our local agents for support in registering a business in Cyprus in the form of a private or public limited liability company in 2026.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Applicable legislation | Cyprus’ Company Law |
Best Used For | All types of activities, ranging from trading to commercial, retail, e-commerce, tourism, etc |
Minimum share capital (YES/NO) | NO, there is no minimum share capital requirement for an LTD in Cyprus |
| Minimum number of shareholders | At least one shareholder is required |
| Minimum number of directors | The minimum number of directors for an LTD is 1 |
| Local manager required (YES/NO) | No, there is no need to appoint a resident director |
| Local legal address required (YES/NO) | YES, it is mandatory to have a legal address in Cyprus |
| Local bank account (YES/NO) | YES, a Cypriot LTD must open a local account |
| Shareholders’ liability | Limited to their capital contribution |
| Visit required for registration | No, a local representative can be appointed with a power of attorney to register an LTD in Cyprus |
| Corporate tax rate | 12.5% on its worldwide profits |
| Other taxes to pay | Special defence contribution of 17% |
| Annual accounts filing requirements | YES, audited accounts must be filed every year |
| Advantages of operating through an LTD | It can be used as shelf company, as a subsidiary, it can be incorporated in just a few days, it has minimum registration requirements |
| Assistance in opening an LTD in Cyprus | YES, we offer assistance to open an LTD in Cyprus |
| Types of LTD companies | – private company limited by shares, – private company limited by guarantee. |
Available for registration for natural persons | The LTD is preferred by natural persons who can be foreign or Cypriot nationals. |
Possibility to have companies as shareholders (YES/NO) | Yes, a private limited liability company can also have corporate shareholders. |
| Documents required for registration | – information about the shareholders, – Articles of Association, – trading name reservation, – application form, – details of the directors and other company officers. |
| Possibility to be converted into a public company (YES/NO) | Yes, provided the share capital is increased to match that of a joint-stock company. |
| Registration timeframe (approx.) | Approx. one month. |
| Licensing requirements (if any) | For certain industries, this additional step will be required in the Cypriot LTD company formation process. |
| VAT registration required upon creation | No, however, it can be completed voluntarily. |
| Possibility to be used as a shelf company (YES/NO) | Yes. |
| Access to tax minimization tools through the Cypriot LTD | Yes, the LTD can be used as a tax minimization tool by setting up a holding company. |
| Possibility of hiring personnel | Yes, both local and foreign employees can be hired in such a company. |
| Possibility to transfer foreign employees | Yes, an LTD can also transfer employees from abroad. |
| Specific requirements for the company name | Yes, the company name must contain the abbreviation LTD. |
| Availability of accounting services for Cypriot LTDs (YES/NO) | Yes, we can also supply accounting services for such companies. |
| Other services we offer in Cyprus | – document drafting solutions, – bank account opening services, – payroll, etc. |
Table of Contents
What are the main features of the Cypriot LTD?
The LTD in Cyprus:
- must have at least one shareholder, and a maximum of 50 owners whose liability is limited to the amount they contributed to the share capital;
- does not have a minimum imposed share capital;
- the private company cannot trade its shares to the general public;
- it must appoint at least one director, who must not necessarily be a Cypriot resident.
What are the types of LTDs I can register in Cyprus?
There are 3 types of limited liability companies recognized by the Company Law, and these are:
- the private company limited by guarantee;
- the private company limited by shares;
- the public limited liability company.
The private company limited by guarantee can be with or without shares.
What are the requirements for a limited liability company in Cyprus in 2026?
There are no applicable requirements for the minimum share capital of a private limited liability company in Cyprus. Public limited liability companies need to have a minimum share capital of over 25,000 EUR.
The Companies Act regulates the number of shareholders for these companies:
- at least one member for the private limited liability company and at least seven members for the public LTD;
- a private LTD can have up to 50 members.
What are the steps to open a limited liability company in Cyprus?
The following steps must be completed in order to open an LTD in Cyprus:
- reserve a trading name (the shareholders must make sure the name is unique);
- draft the incorporation documents;
- set up the corporate bank account and deposit the share capital;
- file the documents with the Companies Register;
- register for taxation and VAT with the Tax Department in Cyprus
- apply for the business licenses in accordance with the activities of the company.
What are the documents to register a LTD in Cyprus?
The following documents will be requested by the Registrar of Companies:
- declaration form from the shareholders;
- declaration form for the registered address;
- details about the company directors and secretary;
- the company’s Articles of Association.
You can also find out how open an LTD in Cyprus from the scheme below:
Is it necessary to submit a business plan with the Cypriot Companies Register upon the incorporation of an LTD?
No, the Registrar does not require such a plan; however, it is recommended to have one to ensure financial predictability on a short to medium-term basis.
Are there any business name requirements applicable to this type of company?
The main condition is for the name to be unique. Searches can be performed with the Companies Register before reservation. Also, it is advisable to select at least 3 names to ensure a successful reservation.
Can I use a virtual office as a registered address for my LTD in Cyprus?
Yes, it is possible to acquire a virtual office service for this purpose.
Are there any restrictions on the use of an LTD for certain activities?
No, there are no restrictions on the use of a private limited liability company in terms of activities, as long as all the licensing requirements are met. Also, industry-specific conditions must be adhered to.
Is it possible to register an LTD in Cyprus remotely?
Yes, with the help of our local specialists. They can represent you through a power of attorney.
Is there beneficial ownership available in Cyprus?
Yes, you can register an LTD in Cyprus as a beneficial owner (meaning your name will not be available to the general public) by appointing a nominee shareholder. Please note that your name will be recorded in the UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) Register.
How long does it take to register an LTD in Cyprus in 2026?
The procedure can be completed in about 10 working days, provided all the documents are in order.
What is the corporate tax applied to an LTD in Cyprus?
The rate of the corporate tax was modified, so as of 2026, companies are subject to a 15% rate.
Is it hard to liquidate a private limited company in Cyprus?
No, the procedure is quite simple; it takes a few days to complete, and does not imply high costs.
We also invite you to watch our video on the LTD in Cyprus:
What are the differences between LTDs in Cyprus and other countries?
In other European countries, such as Malta, the minimum share capital for starting an LLC is different: EUR1,200 for a private LLC and EUR47,000 for a public LLC. Similarly, another European country to open an LTD in an advantageous way is Lithuania.
In case you are interested in starting an offshore company in another country, for example, in Panama, we can put you in contact with our partners from BridgeWest Panama, who have many years of experience in assisting clients in opening offshore companies in this jurisdiction and can definitely assist you in the company formation process in Panama.
In case you need this service for company formation in another jurisdiction, for example, in Singapore, we recommend our partners – OpenCompanySingapore.com.
Businessmen interested in opening limited companies in Poland can have a clearer picture of the main requirements from our local specialists in Poland.
If you are interested in investing in an offshore destination such as Belize, our partners from CompanyFormationBelize.com can assist you.
Contact us if you need assistance, and we’ll work with you to launch your company as quickly as possible. We can also help you form different kinds of businesses.