Country Guide: Cyprus


Looking to expand your e-commerce business to Cyprus, then look no further, here is AVASK's guide to VAT in Cyprus:

VAT in Cyprus

Cyprus is a member of the European Union (EU) and draws up its tax rules according to the laws or directives issued from Brussels by the EU. The current VAT directive applies to all 27 member states of the European Union, and it governs the rules on VAT compliance, and in some part, covers the setting of VAT rates.

As an EU member state, Cyprus is obliged to implement the VAT directives, which provides guidance on VAT. Where there is a conflict, the European Union’s directive takes precedence. Cyprus is a member of the European single market economy and uses the Euro (€) as its currency.


VAT registration in Cyprus

Both EU and non-EU businesses may trade in Cyprus without establishing a local presence. This is known as non-resident VAT trading. There is no VAT threshold in Cyprus for the registration of non-resident traders, but you will need one to record transactions and your Cypriot customers will want proof that you have obtained one.

There are strict rules on the situations where VAT registration is permitted. Common scenarios that require Cypriot VAT registration include:

  • Importing goods into Cyprus;
  • Organising live events, conferences, etc. in Cyprus;
  • Holding goods in a warehouse in Cyprus as stock for resale;
  • Buying goods within Cyprus that are subsequently re-sold in-country;
  • Selling goods from Cyprus to other EU member states;
  • Distance-selling to private individuals in Cyprus, e.g. internet retailing or trading through an e-commerce platform.

Registering for Cypriot VAT generally takes between four to six weeks once all documentation has been submitted to the tax authority, but this varies from seller to seller and will depend on the specifics of an individual company.

VAT compliance in Cyprus

There are detailed rules controlling the recording and processing of Cypriot transactions for VAT purposes. This includes guidelines on:

  • Cypriot invoice requirements;
  • When to issue a Cypriot tax invoice;
  • Foreign currency reporting;
  • Credit notes and corrections;
  • Correcting entries from prior returns;
  • Which accounting records must be maintained.

VAT rates in Cyprus

VAT Rate% Rate
Standard Rate19%
Reduced Rate9%
5%
Zero Rate0%

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Country Profile: Cyprus

Cypriot E-commerce facts:

Population1.2 million
(January 2020)
Currency:Euro (€)
Number of e-commerce users:0.9 million
(January 2020)
Revenue in e-commerce market:£241 million
Estimated market growth:8.4% to £332 million
by 2024

Cypriot thresholds and additional summary:

Distance Selling Threshold (DST)€35,000
Intrastat Thresholds:

Dispatches:
€55,000

Arrivals:
€160,000

VAT number format:CY 12345678 X
VAT return period:
Quarterly
VAT return deadline40 days following period end
Annual VAT filing deadline:Not required
EC sales lists reportingMonthly

Read more about International VAT and Compliance:

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