Cyprus Frontier
Europe · Nicosia · EUR (Euro)
Economy & industry overview
Cyprus is a small, open, services-dominated island economy and EU member state that adopted the euro in 2008. Tourism, financial services, shipping, real estate, and a rapidly expanding ICT sector are the primary drivers of economic activity. Real GDP grew 3.8% in 2025, supported by robust private consumption and strong services exports, particularly from booming ICT activities. The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE), founded in 1996, is a relatively small exchange with approximately 70 listed companies, dominated by the banking and financial sector. The country maintains a fiscal surplus and a declining public debt-to-GDP ratio, with unemployment near multi-decade lows.
Key sectors
Learn everything about Cyprus →Macro
| GDP nominal, USD | $36.33B |
| GDP growth real, annual | 3.8% |
| Inflation annual | 1.8% |
| Population people | 1.2M |
| GDP per capita USD | $39,247 |
| Market cap total listed, USD | $35.20B |
| Market cap / GDP | 96.9% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% |
| Listed companies | 70 |
| Exchange | Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) |
Data year: 2024. Sources: World Bank — World Development Indicators, IMF — World Economic Outlook (April 2026), Cyprus Statistical Service (CYSTAT), Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) — cse.com.cy, CEIC Data — Cyprus Stock Exchange Market Capitalisation, Focus Economics — Cyprus Country Profile, European Commission Economic Forecast for Cyprus (May 2026), Bank of Scotland Trade — Cyprus Economic Context, Trading Economics — Cyprus, Henley & Partners — Cyprus Residence by Investment, citizenremote.com — Cyprus Golden Visa 2025, Wikipedia — Cyprus Stock Exchange, Wikipedia — Bank of Cyprus, Wikipedia — Economy of Cyprus, Wikipedia — Cyprus Investment Programme.
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LatviaLargest listed companies
The biggest companies on the main local exchange, by market capitalisation.
| # | Company | Sector | Market capUSD | US listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bank of Cyprus HoldingsBOCY · CSE | Banking / Financial Services | $2.10B | — |
| 2 | Hellenic BankHB · CSE | Banking / Financial Services | $900.00M | — |
| 3 | Bank of Cyprus, Alt (CSE Main Board)BOCY · CSE | Banking | $2.10B | — |
| 3 | LogicomLGCM · CSE | Technology / IT Distribution | $310.00M | — |
| 4 | Demetra InvestmentDEME · CSE | Investment Holding / Financial Services | $270.00M | — |
| 5 | Aphrodite Hills ResortAHR · CSE | Real Estate / Tourism | $180.00M | — |
| 6 | Vassiliko Cement WorksVCW · CSE | Building Materials / Industrials | $140.00M | — |
| 7 | Louis HotelsLOUK · CSE | Tourism / Hospitality | $95.00M | — |
| 8 | GFI (Gefyra Finanziaria Italiana)GFI · CSE | Financial Services | $80.00M | — |
| 9 | Petrolina HoldingsPETR · CSE | Energy / Fuel Distribution | $75.00M | — |
| 10 | Acropolis SAARCO · CSE | Real Estate / Construction | $60.00M | — |
US-traded ETFs
Funds listed in the US that give exposure to this market, the simplest route for many US investors.
Local exchange & access
| Exchange | Cyprus Stock Exchange |
| Code | CSE |
| Website | www.cse.com.cy |
| Currency | EUR |
Local broker access
Direct investment in CSE-listed equities is accessible to international investors via the CSE's Central Securities Depository. Several Cypriot and international brokers, including online platforms that support European equities (IBKR, Saxo Bank, etc.), offer access to CSE-listed stocks. The CSE and Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX) share a common trading platform (HERMES), which facilitates cross-border order routing for dual-listed companies. Settlement follows the standard T+2 European convention. There are no US-listed ADRs for purely CSE-listed companies; Bank of Cyprus re-listed on ATHEX in September 2024. No single-country Cyprus ETF is available in the US market.
Global brokers with foreign-market access
- Interactive Brokers — Direct access to 90+ markets worldwide, including many emerging exchanges.
- Saxo Bank — Multi-market access across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
- Charles Schwab (Global) — Foreign ordinary shares on select markets; US-listed ADRs and ETFs.
- Fidelity International Trading — International stock trading on a number of developed and emerging markets.
Listed for convenience only. Not a recommendation. Available markets, fees and onboarding rules differ by broker and by your country of residence.
Relocation & residency
Investment visa / residency programme
Grants Permanent residency (non-EU nationals; citizenship possible after 8 years' lawful residence)
Cyprus operates a Permanent Residence by Investment programme (Regulation 6(2) of the Aliens and Immigration Regulations), commonly called the 'Golden Visa'. Non-EU nationals who invest a minimum of €300,000 (~USD 324,000 at prevailing rates) in qualifying assets: new residential or commercial property, share capital of a Cyprus-registered company employing at least five persons, or units in regulated Cyprus investment funds, may obtain a permanent residence permit. The framework was revised by the Council of Ministers on 2 May 2023. The main applicant must demonstrate a secured annual income of at least €50,000 sourced from abroad. Holders must visit Cyprus at least once every two years to maintain status. A prior citizenship-by-investment (CIP/'golden passport') programme was terminated in November 2020 following the 'Cyprus Papers' controversy; citizenship remains available via naturalisation after 8 years of lawful residence.
Minimum investment: $324.00K
Need help applying? Specialist investment-migration advisers such as Henley & Partners.
Foreign-investor access
Cyprus is an EU member state. EU/EEA citizens enjoy freedom of movement and the right to reside and work without restriction. Non-EU nationals may apply under the Permanent Residence by Investment programme (Regulation 6(2)) or standard immigration routes. Cyprus operates a non-domicile tax regime offering exemptions on dividends and passive interest income for qualifying new residents, attracting significant inflows of high-net-worth individuals and multinational headquarters. English is widely spoken and used in business, legal, and government contexts.