Cyprus, a full member of the European Union is a prestigious, stable and an attractive jurisdiction. It is a major destination for the location of international, holding companies and worldwide investments and has features which are unique in the offshore world. It has an excellent economic, professional and financial services infrastructure and as a consequence of the numerous incentives offered by the government based on its recent established policy, Cyprus is an attractive international business and worldwide investment centre.

Cyprus is also one of Europe’s most advantageous tax planning locations, offers the lowest tax regime in Europe and may accommodate any of your international tax planning requirements through its numerous tax benefits.

In particular, some of main tax advantages are the following:

Favourable tax regime including 10% corporation tax rate

Low set up and operating costs

Access to the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive and EU Interest and Royalty Directive  through which no withholding taxes imposed on dividends, interest and royalties for non-residents (whether a company or an individual)

Income from dividends is exempt from income or corporation tax

Exemption from income or corporation tax of gains made by an individual or company resident of Cyprus from the sale of securities

A favourable tax regime that Cyprus provides for a holding company by which subject to certain conditions full exemption from local taxation in respect of dividends received by a holding company from its local and foreign subsidiaries

A favourable tax regime for international trusts

The network of double taxation treaties with more than 40 countries

Tax advantages available to non-residents including non - E.U. residents

The tax regime permits losses to be carried forward indefinitely

Moreover, other important advantages to be mentioned are the following:

Member of the European Union since 1st May 2004 | Low capital requirements | Competitive fees for corporate formation and administration | Legal system based on English common law | The English language being widely known and used in Cyprus | Non-complex administrative procedures for acquiring necessary permits | Freedom of movement of foreign currency | Highly qualified and multilingual labour force | Exceptional accounting, legal and other professional services | Well developed and highly organized banking system | The geographic location of Cyprus at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa| Demogratic regime and free market economy | Very low crime rate | European standard of living | Political stability | Pleasant Climate