NICOSIA, CY – May 08, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Highworth (Cyprus) Ltd, a boutique professional services firm established in 2017 and headquartered in Nicosia, has announced an expanded focus on company relocation services for businesses based in the United States. The firm, which supports private and corporate clients from jurisdictions around the world, confirmed that enquiries from US-based entrepreneurs and company directors have risen sharply over the past twelve months, driven by growing interest in Cyprus as a base for international operations.
Under the provisions of the Cyprus Companies Law (Cap. 113), as amended in 2006, foreign-registered companies may apply to transfer their legal domicile to Cyprus through a process known as redomiciliation. This procedure allows an existing business to continue as a Cyprus-registered entity without dissolving the original company, preserving its corporate history, legal identity, contractual obligations, and operational standing. The law accommodates both inward redomiciliation, where a foreign company transfers its seat to Cyprus, and outward redomiciliation, where a Cyprus company relocates abroad.
For US businesses, the availability of redomiciliation depends on the laws of the state of incorporation. Certain US states, including Delaware, do permit outward redomiciliation, which means companies registered in those jurisdictions may be eligible to transfer directly to Cyprus. Where state law does not provide for outward continuation, Highworth (Cyprus) Ltd assists clients in structuring an alternative route, typically involving the formation of a new Cyprus company and the orderly transfer of business operations, assets, and contractual relationships.
The firm noted that interest from US clients has grown for several reasons. Cyprus offers a corporate income tax rate of 15%, which took effect on 1 January 2026 following a comprehensive tax reform approved by the Cyprus Parliament in December 2025. While the rate represents an increase from the previous 12.5%, it aligns with the OECD Pillar Two global minimum tax framework and remains among the lowest in the European Union. The jurisdiction also maintains a participation exemption on qualifying dividend income, zero withholding tax on dividends paid to non-resident shareholders, an IP Box regime that can reduce the effective rate on qualifying intellectual property income to approximately 3%, and an extensive network of more than 65 double tax treaties.
A spokesperson for Highworth (Cyprus) Ltd said: “Over the past year, a growing number of US-based business owners have approached us to discuss relocating their corporate presence to Cyprus. The motivations vary. Some are looking for a gateway into the European single market. Others want to position their companies closer to clients and partners in the Middle East, Africa, or Asia. Several have cited Cyprus’s common law legal system, which shares many principles with US and UK corporate law, as a factor that simplifies the transition. Whatever the reason, the demand is real, and it comes from a wide range of sectors including technology, professional services, international trade, and e-commerce.”
Highworth (Cyprus) Ltd provides end-to-end support throughout the relocation process. The firm’s services cover the full scope of company formation and incorporation in Cyprus, tax advisory and international tax planning, fiduciary and corporate administration, management accounting and bookkeeping, and banking introductions. On the banking side, the firm maintains established relationships with a broad selection of banks, payment institutions, and Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) across multiple jurisdictions, helping clients open corporate accounts that suit the nature and geography of their business activities.
The redomiciliation process itself typically takes between three and six months, depending on the complexity of the corporate structure and the requirements of the departing jurisdiction. It involves a series of coordinated steps, including the passing of board and shareholder resolutions, the preparation of a new Memorandum and Articles of Association that comply with Cyprus law, the submission of an application to the Cyprus Registrar of Companies, and the provision of a certificate of good standing from the jurisdiction of origin. A sworn declaration of solvency by a company director is also required. Upon approval, the Registrar issues a Temporary Certificate of Continuation, followed by a Permanent Certificate once evidence of deregistration from the original jurisdiction is provided.
The firm emphasised that substance requirements are a central consideration for any company establishing a presence in Cyprus. Cyprus tax authorities, banks, and regulatory bodies assess whether management and control are genuinely exercised from within the jurisdiction. Highworth (Cyprus) Ltd advises clients on establishing the necessary operational infrastructure, including appointing local directors and a company secretary, maintaining a registered office, and fulfilling ongoing compliance obligations, such as annual returns, tax filings, and beneficial ownership disclosures.
The 2026 tax reform introduced several additional features that are relevant to companies relocating to Cyprus. The Deemed Dividend Distribution rules have been abolished for profits earned from 1 January 2026 onwards, meaning that companies are no longer required to distribute notional dividends on retained earnings. The Special Defence Contribution on dividends has been reduced from 17% to 5% for Cyprus tax-resident and domiciled individuals. Loss carry-forward periods have been extended from five to seven years. Stamp duty on documents submitted to the Registrar of Companies has been repealed entirely. Taken together, these changes have strengthened the case for Cyprus as a jurisdiction for corporate relocation and international structuring.
Highworth (Cyprus) Ltd serves clients from jurisdictions spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. The firm operates from its offices in Nicosia and is led by Managing Director Rovertos Hanadjias. Its multidisciplinary team includes professionals with expertise in corporate law, taxation, accounting, fund administration, and immigration services. An affiliated entity, HW Comprehensive Business Solutions Ltd, provides recruitment and payroll solutions for clients establishing or expanding their workforce in Cyprus.
The spokesperson added: “Cyprus has always been well positioned as a jurisdiction that sits at the crossroads of three continents. What has changed is the level of international awareness. More business owners from the United States, and indeed from around the world, are recognising that Cyprus combines a competitive tax environment with full EU membership, a robust regulatory framework, and a professional services sector that can support complex, multi-jurisdictional structures. The recent reforms have only reinforced that position. For companies that are considering a move, the key is to plan carefully and work with advisors who understand both the origin and destination jurisdictions.”
Cyprus recorded over 18,800 new company registrations in 2025, an increase of more than 26% compared to the previous year, according to figures published by the Cyprus Registrar of Companies. The total number of registered companies now exceeds 200,000, reflecting sustained growth in the jurisdiction’s corporate sector. The number of foreign company branches registered in the first quarter of 2025 also doubled year-on-year, confirming rising international investor interest.
Highworth (Cyprus) Ltd has been operational since January 2017 and holds all necessary regulatory authorisations to provide corporate services in Cyprus. The firm is a member of the Cyprus Fiduciary Association and has received recognition for its advisory work, including the Global Excellence Award from Acquisition International in 2025. Further information about the firm’s company relocation and formation services is available at https://highworth.cy.
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For more information about Highworth (Cyprus) Ltd, contact the company here:
Highworth (Cyprus) Ltd
Highworth Team
+35722777884
info@highworth.cy
34 Falirou Street, 1st Floor, Office 102, 2066 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus
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