CySEC investment firm in Cyprus

About This Company

Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF, MiFID II) authorisation entails a rigorous administrative path when pursued as a direct greenfield application. According to statutory timelines, the supervisory authority observes a 6 months decision period once a complete application dossier is submitted. Setting up a direct application requires paying a EUR 7,000 lump sum application fee covering core investment services under paragraphs 1-7 of Part I, Annex I of Law 87(I)/2017. Surcharges apply if the operational model includes EUR 25,000 for operating an MTF/OTF, EUR 500 per ancillary service, and EUR 2,000 for algorithmic trading.

Acquiring an existing firm substitutes that application journey with a formal change of control procedure. Notification is mandatory under Sections 12 and 13 of Law 87(I)/2017 and MiCA Article 83 for acquiring or increasing a direct or indirect qualifying holding crossing 10%, 20%, 30%, or 50%, or reaching subsidiary control. CySEC acknowledges receipts within two working days. The regulator has a statutory assessment period of 60 working days to oppose the acquisition on reputation, financial soundness, AML risks, and fit-and-proper criteria. This assessment window can be interrupted once by 20 working days, or 30 working days for non-EU entities. Completing a purchase without regulatory non-opposition suspends voting rights and risks statutory penalties.