VAT Interpretative Circular 222 – Holding Companies On 9 January 2018, the Interpretative Circular 222 has been announced by the Cyprus Tax Department explaining the VAT treatment of holding companies. The Circular provides guidance on the interaction between holding companies and VAT based...

The new Cyprus Law regulating Alternative Investment Funds, approved by the parliament on 10 July 2018, provides for so-called Registered Alternative Investment Funds (RAIF), which will not be regulated by the Cyprus Security and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The new Law regulating Alternative...

It is one of the most important business philosophies of modern times: Lean management structures have become a staple in corporate improvements. World-renowned academic institutions are researching what the best approach to the task might be – the most accepted definition of Lean Management has...

Lori Fitch never had a doubt: „When I was looking for office space for our startup, I knew from the very beginning: We´ll wind up in a business center.“ The 28-year-old American has founded a company with three friends in the German city of Hamburg, developing software solutions for big...

The Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Programme – Your Passport to the EU Cyprus, a full member of the European Union (EU) since May 2004, provides the “Cyprus Investment Programme” that qualifies for Cyprus Citizenship for the investor and his/her family if certain conditions are met. The...

The purchasing power of physical gold and silver – hedging inflation and economic risks Physical gold and silver are one of the most preferred ways to protect wealth in the long term. As physical gold and silver are outperforming any currency in the long run, they are one of the best solutions...

Labor-efficiency is one of the key terms revolving around the definition of Modern Work Environments – a target companies and entrepreneurs strive to improve constantly, with its overall premise in mind: Best possible results at the lowest possible cost. In recent years, many international...

Investment advisers, law offices, service providers in Cyprus: You are now able to provide your clients with storage and trade facilities for physical gold and silver! Gold and silver, a safe haven during current turmoils Physical old has been the safe haven to safeguard wealth since...

The double taxation avoidance treaty between Cyprus and Luxembourg which was signed on 8 May 2017 in Nicosia, has entered into force on 21 of May 2018 with the application of its provisions starting 1 January 2019 aiming to expand trade and economic relations between the two countries. This...

Simultaneously with all other EU countries, Cyprus adopted a new IP Box Regime as per the provisions of the OECD BEPS Action 5 and the new EU rules for the tax treatment of profit from the utilisation of intellectual property. Transitional provisions for IP assets under the old Cyprus IP Box...

Cyprus has become a gateway to Europe for many Asian investment funds. Due to its strategic location, flexible legislation, low costs and numerous other advantages many Asian funds prefer to establish their base in Cyprus. According to Mr Andreas Yiasemides, vice president of the Cyprus...

Hong Kong has been ranked as the second most competitive economy in the world by the IMD, International Institute for Management Development in its World Competitiveness Ranking 2018. 63 countries have been assessed for the purpose of the study based on the following four competitiveness...

Due to the mounting criticism of foreign countries, Cyprus has tightened its vetting process in its Citizenship by investment scheme. After the changes, the scheme applicants will be subjected to more rigorous vetting procedures and enhanced due diligence. Finance Minister, Mr Harris...

In the second part of the interview, Mr Siegert, Senior Head of Sales of the Collection Group, talks about the versatile advantages of a “virtual office” – a product name that he helped to shape. Question: Mr Siegert, you are one of the leading experts on the development and commercial...

During the first quarter of 2018, the economy of Cyprus rose by 0,8%, compared with Q1 of the previous year. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development readjusted its forecast for the economic growth of Cyprus in 2018 from 2,5% to 3,2%, while the European Commission estimates 3,6%....

The law governing the establishment of trusts in Cyprus is based on the English system. It is a combination of the English Principles of Equity and Statue Law. Cyprus International Trusts are regulated by the International Trusts Law 69(I)/1992 as amended by Law 20(I)/2012. What is a trust?...

The number of new Cyprus company registrations continues to rise in 2018. According to the Registrar of Companies the number of new Cyprus company registration rose 16 percent in April to 1,168 compared to the previous year. In the first quarter of 2018 the total number of new Cyprus company...

The World Gold Council today launched a one-off essay collection, Gold 2048, bringing together industry-leading experts from across the globe to analyse how the gold market is set to evolve in the next 30 years. Key conclusions emerging from authors such as George Magnus, senior...

Insuring our valuables and the precious things that we have is essential. If you own physical gold, silver or other precious metals, you would not like to risk loss of a part of your wealth. But are you sure that the insurance of your gold and silver really provides full coverage, full in terms...

Unallocated gold storage allocated gold storage, segregated gold storage or allocated and segregated gold storage – these terms describe the form of storage and the legal relation of a gold owner with his or her physical gold purchased and stored. The same terms are of course also used for...