01
Form and capital
A private company limited by shares is commonly used for international business; shareholders, director, secretary, registered office, capital, memorandum and articles are set before filing, while a branch, partnership or fund vehicle may suit a different task
02
Formation process
The Registrar of Companies' electronic route covers name reservation, incorporation and maintenance of the register; tax registration, accounting, audit, annual returns and beneficial-owner filings follow formation
A company should be built around its activity, tax and banking route. A private company limited by shares is commonly used for international business; shareholders, director, secretary, registered office, capital, memorandum and articles are set before filing, while a branch, partnership or fund vehicle may suit a different task.
03
Management and substance
A registered office alone does not prove effective management. Board process, directors' authority, premises, people, contracts, expenditure and the place of key decisions should match the stated model
04
Banking launch
A credit institution is checked in the Central Bank of Cyprus register, while payment and e-money institutions appear in separate official registers. SEPA access or an EU passport does not make every product a bank deposit. Corporate and personal account opening tests the UBO, tax residence, source of wealth and funds, business purpose, contracts, countries, expected payments, sanctions exposure and real presence.
05
Working checklist
The standard corporate income tax rate is 15% from 1 January 2026; residence, worldwide income, exemptions, foreign tax credits, transfer pricing and EU/ATAD rules depend on the facts. The standard VAT rate is 19%; place of supply, intra-EU transactions, imports, reverse charge, exemptions and input recovery depend on the product and supply chain.
FAQ
FAQ
Where should a company formation project in Cyprus start?
A private company limited by shares is commonly used for international business; shareholders, director, secretary, registered office, capital, memorandum and articles are set before filing, while a branch, partnership or fund vehicle may suit a different task
Can formation or account opening be guaranteed?
This material is general information. Formation, licensing, tax outcomes and account opening depend on the facts and the decision of the competent authority or financial institution.
Why are tax and banking reviewed together?
The standard corporate income tax rate is 15% from 1 January 2026; residence, worldwide income, exemptions, foreign tax credits, transfer pricing and EU/ATAD rules depend on the facts. Corporate and personal account opening tests the UBO, tax residence, source of wealth and funds, business purpose, contracts, countries, expected payments, sanctions exposure and real presence.
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Related routes
- Bank accounts and private banking
- Open primary source
- Private wealth: foundations and trusts
- Open primary source
- Tax strategy
- Open primary source
- Cyprus tax residence and non-dom
- Open primary source