Cyprus Alternative Investment Fund (AIF)
General Overview
- Legal Basis: Governed by the Alternative Investment Funds Law of 2018.
- Regulatory Oversight: Fully regulated and supervised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
- Target Investors: Open to professional, well-informed, and retail investors.
- Setup Timeframe: The setup timeframe ranges from 6 to 8 months, though it can vary depending on the complexity of the structure.
Key Features
- Corporate Flexibility: Can be structured as:
- Common Fund (CF)
- Variable Capital Investment Company (VCIC)
- Fixed Capital Investment Company (FCIC)
- Limited Partnership (LP)
- Investment Scope: Can invest in any asset class subject to the fund’s rules and CySEC requirements.
- Umbrella Structure: Can create multiple sub-funds with segregated liability.
- EU Passporting: If managed by an authorized AIFM, can be marketed across the EU.
Taxation
- Corporate Tax: Subject to Cyprus’ standard 12.5% corporate tax rate.
- No Withholding Tax on dividend distributions to non-resident investors.
- No Subscription Tax on net assets.
- Access to Cyprus’ Double Tax Treaty Network for tax optimization.
Governance & Service Providers
- AIFM Requirement: May be managed by an AIFM or internally.
- Depositary Requirement: Must appoint a depositary.
- Central Administration: Must be based in Cyprus.
- Auditor: A Cyprus-registered auditor must be appointed.
Advantages of a Cyprus AIF
- Flexible Fund Structure: Can accommodate a broad range of investment strategies.
- Investor Protection: Fully regulated by CySEC.
- EU Passporting: Allows cross-border marketing if AIFM is appointed.
- Attractive Tax Regime: Competitive corporate tax and extensive double tax treaty benefits.
- Scalability: Suitable for institutional and retail investors depending on structure.
Use Cases
- Private Equity & Venture Capital Funds
- Real Estate Investment Vehicles
- Hedge Funds & Debt Funds
- Infrastructure Investments
Setup & Support by KENDRIS Capital
- Assistance with AIF structuring and CySEC licensing.
- Drafting of regulatory documents (Fund Prospectus, Limited Partnership Agreement, etc.).
- Ongoing fund management, administration, and compliance services
Cyprus AIF Factsheet
Key contact
Nikolas Charalambous
Managing Director
MBA, BSc. Accounting
T +357 24 205300