For Canadians retiring abroad
Lower taxes, affordable property, and 300+ days of Mediterranean sun. We help Canadian retirees make the move with confidence.
The case for Cyprus
The numbers make sense. The lifestyle seals the deal.
Overseas pension income is exempt on the first €5,000 each year, then taxed at a flat 5% — or under normal rates if that's lower.1
As a non-domiciled resident, your dividend and interest income is exempt from the Special Defence Contribution for up to 17 years.1
Access Cyprus's General Healthcare System (GESY). Pensioners with an S1 certificate may be exempt from health contributions.1
English is widely spoken across Cyprus, and the legal system is based on common-law principles. No language barrier to worry about.
The detail that matters
Cyprus is one of the most tax-efficient places in the EU for a retiree living on a pension and investments. Here's the honest picture — including the conditions.
| Income type | How it's taxed in Cyprus |
|---|---|
| Overseas pension | Exempt on the first €5,000 per year, then a flat 5%. You may elect normal progressive rates instead, year to year, if that's lower. |
| Dividends | Exempt from income tax. Non-dom: 0% SDC Domiciled residents pay 17% SDC. |
| Interest | Exempt from income tax. Non-dom: 0% SDC Domiciled residents pay 17% SDC. |
| Rental income | Subject to income tax; from 1 Jan 2026 no longer subject to SDC. |
| Inheritance / wealth / property | No inheritance tax, no wealth tax, no immovable-property tax. |
| Foreign property sale | Sale of immovable property situated outside Cyprus is exempt from Cyprus capital gains tax. |
1 Figures reflect KPMG, Cyprus Tax Residency and Non-Dom rules (April 2026). Reliefs are elections or condition-based, not automatic, and the Canada–Cyprus tax treaty affects the final outcome. This is general information, not tax advice — confirm your position with a licensed Cyprus tax advisor before acting.
Two routes:
183-day rule — spend more than 183 days in Cyprus in a calendar year.
60-day rule — at least 60 days in Cyprus, a permanent home there, and business/employment/office ties, provided you're not tax resident in another country.
A Cyprus tax resident who is non-domiciled is exempt from the Special Defence Contribution, so dividend and interest income is free of that tax for up to 17 years. For a retiree living on investments, this is often the single biggest saving.
A clear path
Relocation coordination, not regulated advice. We guide you and connect you with the right licensed people.
A free call to understand your situation, goals, and timeline. No pressure, just clarity.
A custom roadmap covering residency, property, banking, healthcare, and logistics.
Introductions to vetted Cyprus professionals — lawyers, accountants, and property agents.
Good news from home
Let's talk
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. No obligations, no sales pitch — just an honest conversation about whether Cyprus makes sense for you.
Schedule your free callImportant notice: RetireInCyprus.com provides strategic relocation advisory and coordination services in partnership with vetted, licensed legal, immigration, and tax professionals in Cyprus. Regulated legal, tax, and immigration services are provided exclusively by these independent professionals, while we oversee coordination, engagement flow, and the overall client experience throughout the relocation process. Tax figures on this page are general information drawn from publicly available professional guidance (KPMG, April 2026) and are not tax advice; reliefs are condition-based and individual outcomes vary. Our founder is a Canadian who has personally completed the Cyprus relocation process and has guided other clients through the same structured, compliant transition.