Setting Up a Cyprus International Trust
Setting up a Cyprus International Trust takes careful planning and a clear set of legal and administrative steps. This page explains the five steps — planning and advice, choosing trustees, drafting the Trust Deed, transferring assets, and registration. First as a short overview, then step by step.
How to Set Up a Cyprus International Trust (CIT)
Below you will find the steps to set up a Cyprus International Trust (CIT), along with the documents you usually need.
Overview: The Five Steps at a Glance
Planning and advice
Legal and tax advice is usually the first step. Lawyers and tax advisers who know Cypriot trust law and international tax can help you understand the rules. They can also help you set up the trust in a way that fits your goals.
Choosing trustees
Some clear rules apply when you choose trustees. At least one trustee must live in Cyprus. It is best to choose trustees who are reliable and well qualified, and who can meet the legal duties of the role. A good trustee usually has plenty of experience in running trusts and can act in line with the settlor's wishes.
Drafting the Trust Deed
The Trust Deed is the main document. It sets out the terms of the trust. It must be drawn up in Cyprus and notarised. The deed should include:
- The names of the settlor, trustees and beneficiaries.
- A clear description of the assets put into the trust.
- Rules for how the assets are managed and shared out.
- The rights and duties of the trustees.
- Rules for ending the trust.
Transferring assets
The settlor puts the assets into the trust. This means the legal ownership passes to the trustee. Every transfer should be recorded properly. This keeps things clear in law and protects the assets.
Registration and fees
The trust must be registered in Cyprus. Registration confirms that the trust meets the legal rules and is officially recognised.
Note: since January 2026, Cyprus has applied wider compliance rules to trusts. The new reporting duties become mandatory in full from July 2026.
Step by Step
Step 1 Legal and tax advice
Before you set up a Cyprus International Trust, it helps to get full legal and tax advice. Good advice helps you shape the trust and meet the legal and tax rules.
Step 2 Choosing trustees
A trustee in Cyprus. At least one trustee must live in Cyprus. This helps the trust meet Cypriot rules and means local professionals run it.
Reliable and experienced. The trustee should be reliable and experienced. A trustee with good knowledge and experience can manage the trust assets effectively and securely.
Certified lawyers. Trustees can be provided through certified lawyers. They are qualified and experienced, and they can meet the legal and administrative needs of a Cyprus International Trust.
Key points when choosing trustees
Financial stability. Trustees should be financially stable. This helps make sure that money problems do not disrupt the running of the trust.
Good reputation. The reputation and honesty of the trustees matter. A trustee with a strong reputation keeps the trust of the settlor and the beneficiaries.
Long-term focus. The settlor should check that the trustees can follow the goals of the trust over the long term. This includes ongoing oversight, adjusting investment plans, and following the rules in the Trust Deed.
Skill and certification. The trustees (lawyers) are skilled and certified by recognised institutions. This certification supports a steady standard of trust administration. They also train regularly to stay up to date with legal and regulatory rules.
Trustees provided through certified lawyers help run a Cyprus International Trust professionally and in line with the law. This helps protect your assets and meet your long-term goals.
Step 3 Drafting the Trust Deed
What it should contain. The Trust Deed should be clear and complete. It should include the names of everyone involved, the assets put into the trust, and the rules for managing and sharing those assets. Draft the deed with care so it covers the main situations.
Legal rules. The Trust Deed must be drawn up in Cyprus and notarised. This supports its legal validity. It must also follow the relevant Cypriot laws and rules.
Step 4 Transferring assets
The process. The settlor puts the assets into the trust by passing ownership to the trustee. The legal steps can differ depending on the type of asset.
The paperwork. Every transfer should be recorded properly. This means preparing and keeping transfer documents that show the assets went into the trust lawfully.
Step 5 Registration and fees
Fees. Registering a Cyprus International Trust involves a stamp duty and a registration fee. You pay these fees to get official recognition of the trust.
The registration process. The trust must be registered with the relevant Cyprus authorities. This means handing in the Trust Deed and paying the fees. Registration confirms that the trust meets the legal rules and is recognised in law.
Working with the PMG Team
With more than 20 years of experience and a team of qualified, certified lawyers and tax advisers, PMG can help you meet the rules and criteria of a Cyprus International Trust (CIT). Our team works to run every part of the trust professionally and in line with the law.
As our client, you can rely on us and our partners to handle the legal and administrative work. This is how we help set up and run your Cyprus International Trust to protect your assets and meet your long-term goals.
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