New bill simplifies citizenship registration for foreign spouses of Cypriots living abroad

The Cypriot Ministry of Interior has introduced a bill titled the "Population Archive (Amending) Law of 2026" for public consultation, aiming to revise the registration procedures for foreign spouses of Cypriot citizens residing abroad. The proposed legislation seeks to clarify criteria for spouses living with a Cypriot partner abroad, mandating a minimum marriage duration of five years for eligibility.

Key changes include a significant reduction in the required residency period for foreign spouses within Cyprus, lowering it from three years to six months at the discretion of the Interior Minister. This flexibility is conditional upon the marriage having lasted at least three years and the presence of special circumstances. Furthermore, the bill explicitly prohibits residency rights for individuals entering the Republic through the occupied territories. The Minister of Interior is granted additional powers to register applicants as citizens following the standard submission process and the swearing of an oath of allegiance to the Republic.

The legislative proposal is currently undergoing public consultation. Once finalized, it will govern the specific conditions for citizenship acquisition, ensuring administrative discretion is applied appropriately in complex cases while maintaining legal standards for residency and national loyalty.