Cyprus vs UAE: Golden Visa Programmes Compared
The lowest qualifying amount is €300,000 in Cyprus and AED 2,000,000 in United Arab Emirates. Here is how the two programmes differ on time in the country, the path to citizenship and processing, side by side.
Open
Cyprus
€300,000minimum
Permanent Residence Permit by Investment (Regulation 6(2))
Read the Cyprus guide →At a glance
| Cyprus | UAE | |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Permanent Residence Permit by Investment (Regulation 6(2)) | Golden Visa (long-term residence) |
| Status | Open at €300,000 under criteria revised in May 2023; in September 2026 the government said it will tighten the scheme before Cyprus joins Schengen | Open, and broadened to new categories repeatedly since 2019 |
| Lowest qualifying amount | €300,000 | AED 2,000,000 |
| Time you must spend there | Visit at least once every 2 years | None; exempt from the 180-day absence rule |
| Route to citizenship | About 8 years of actual residence, plus B1 Greek and a civics exam | No direct path |
| Typical processing | Officially about 2 months | Typically weeks once documents are complete |
| Main routes |
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Which is cheaper, Cyprus or UAE?
The lowest qualifying amount is €300,000 in Cyprus and AED 2,000,000 in United Arab Emirates. The cheapest route is not always the practical one: some low-entry routes are donations or contributions you never get back, while others are investments that can lose value independently of the permit. Add government fees, legal costs and, where relevant, family members before comparing totals.
How much time do you have to spend in each?
Cyprus: Visit at least once every 2 years. United Arab Emirates: None; exempt from the 180-day absence rule. A permit that asks for little time in the country is convenient, but a path to citizenship usually depends on genuinely living there.
Which leads to citizenship?
Cyprus: About 8 years of actual residence, plus B1 Greek and a civics exam. United Arab Emirates: No direct path. Naturalisation rules are set separately from the investment programme and can change while you are part of the way through.
The biggest caveat for each
Cyprus: The criteria are set by cabinet decision rather than law, and the current version is their fourth revision; in September 2026 ministers announced a tightening ahead of Schengen entry and a review of around 12,000 permits issued since 2013, with no new terms published yet.
UAE: Rules on mortgaged and off-plan property are administrative practice rather than statute, and can be tightened without notice.
More programme comparisons
Information reflects our own independent research as understood in September 2026. These rules change often and differ by nationality. Plain Investor does not sell or advise on any programme. This is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice; check the official government source and a licensed immigration lawyer before committing money.