Cyprus company formation for payments, forex and iGaming

Why Cyprus

Cyprus combines one of the lowest headline corporate rates in the EU with genuine regulatory infrastructure. For brokers, a CySEC CIF licence passports across the EEA. For payments, a Cypriot payment institution or EMI sits inside SEPA. For iGaming and affiliate groups, it is a credible operating base with reasonable costs and an English-speaking professional market.

Its reputation has also tightened: banks now apply real substance tests before onboarding, and shell arrangements are declined.

Company and tax basics

• Private limited company, no minimum capital in practice (commonly €1,000–€5,000).
• 12.5% corporate tax; no withholding tax on dividends to non-resident shareholders.
• Notional interest deduction and IP-box regime available where conditions are met.
• Extensive double tax treaty network; EU parent-subsidiary access.
• Audited financial statements and annual filings are mandatory.

Regulated options

Regulated applications require capital, fit-and-proper directors, local management, outsourcing and risk frameworks and a compliance function. CIF applications typically take six to twelve months; plan capital and hiring accordingly.

• CySEC CIF licence — forex, CFD and investment services, with EEA passporting.
• Payment institution or EMI authorisation for payment and e-money services.
• Fund structures (AIF, RAIF) for investment vehicles.
• Unregulated operating and holding companies for B2B, affiliate and technology businesses.

Substance expectations

• Real office space — not a mailbox — and staff proportionate to activity.
• Cyprus-resident directors for tax-residence and regulatory purposes.
• Board meetings held and minuted in Cyprus.
• Local bookkeeping, payroll and audit.

Banking

Cypriot and wider EU banking is available, but onboarding is document-heavy: ownership chart, source of wealth, expected flows, licence where applicable, and evidence of local substance. Client-fund accounts for brokers require particular care in how segregation is documented. We prepare the file and, as standard, arrange a parallel EU relationship.