Foreign investors may establish any of the following business entities in Cyprus:
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- Company incorporated in Cyprus
- Branch of a company incorporated overseas
The Law governing companies in Cyprus is the Companies Law, Cap. 113 which is modelled on the United Kingdom Companies Act 1948. Under the law a limited liability company can either be a company limited by guarantee or a company limited by shares.
The Partnership and Business Names Law, Cap. 116, which governs partnerships in Cyprus is also modelled on its English counterpart.
The maximum number of individuals or corporations in a partnership is twenty. A limited liability partnership may be a partner in any type of partnership and two or more limited companies may form either a general or a limited partnership.
A foreign company may form a branch in Cyprus, to carry on business on the island.
Foreign individuals may carry on business in Cyprus provided they comply with the Aliens and Immigration Law and Regulations. This generally means that they must obtain a work permit from the Immigration Department.
Foreign companies and individuals may incorporate an International Business Company in Cyprus for the purpose of carrying on business outside Cyprus, without any restrictions.
