Cyprus citizenship test: format, requirements and practice quiz
Cyprus has an official citizenship knowledge test. This page explains the test format and the naturalisation rules, links to the official source, and offers a free 19-question practice quiz on the content areas it covers. The quiz is not the official exam.
Start practising
Is there an official Cyprus citizenship test? Yes. The format, who must take it, exemptions and the official source are summarised below. The quiz on this page is an independent practice quiz on the same content areas and is not linked to any official process.
The Cyprus citizenship test and how naturalisation works
Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Checked against the official source linked on this page.
Cyprus has a citizenship exam. The 2024 amendment of the Civil Registry Law requires naturalisation applicants to hold two certificates: a Greek language certificate at B1 and the Certification of Sufficient Knowledge of Basic Elements of the Contemporary Political and Social Reality of Cyprus, obtained by passing a written exam run by the Examinations Service of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.
Format of the knowledge exam
The exam is in Greek and has 25 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes; the pass mark is 60%, so you need 15 correct answers. The syllabus covers modern history since independence in 1960, the political system and institutions, geography, customs and traditions, the economy and current affairs. It is held about once a year — on 5 July 2025 and on 4 July 2026 (applications 19 May to 2 June) — at centres in Nicosia, with registration through JCC Smart and a fee of €20. No official pass rate is published; press coverage in 2026 described the paper as heavy on detailed trivia and pitched above B1 Greek, so prepare thoroughly. No exemptions from the knowledge exam have been announced.
The Greek language certificate
The language requirement is B1, shown with a certificate from the Ministry of Education’s Greek proficiency exams or from the University of Cyprus School of Modern Greek (fee €90, sittings in January and September). Highly skilled employees of companies approved under the 2024 fast track may apply with A2 Greek after five years, or with B1 after four.
Residence, fees and procedure
You need twelve months of continuous residence immediately before applying plus seven years within the preceding ten — about eight of the last eleven years — with absences of no more than 90 days a year. Highly skilled employees of approved companies need twelve months plus three or four years depending on their Greek level. Applications are made on form M127 at the District Administration; the fee is €500 on filing (plus two €8.54 stamps) and another €500 if approved. The Minister of Interior decides on the recommendation of the Civil Registry and Migration Department; there is no statutory deadline, standard cases often take three to four years and the fast track targets eight months. Cyprus allows dual citizenship.
Our questions are written in English on the exam syllabus — institutions, modern history, geography and symbols — so that you know the material; the real exam is in Greek.
| Official citizenship test | Yes: Certification of Sufficient Knowledge of Basic Elements of the Contemporary Political and Social Reality of Cyprus, run by the Examinations Service of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth. See the format and official source below. |
|---|---|
| How naturalisation works | A written exam in Greek of 25 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes; pass mark 60% (15 of 25). Topics: modern history since 1960, the political system and institutions, geography, customs, the economy and current affairs. Held about once a year (5 July 2025; 4 July 2026) by the Examinations Service in Nicosia, registration via JCC Smart, fee €20. A separate Greek language certificate at B1 is also required. |
| Language requirement | Greek at B1 level, shown with a certificate from the Ministry of Education's Greek proficiency exams or the University of Cyprus School of Modern Greek (fee €90, sittings in January and September). Highly skilled employees of approved companies may apply with A2 after five years. |
| Who it applies to | Applicants for naturalisation under the Civil Registry Law as amended in 2024: 12 months of continuous residence immediately before applying plus 7 years within the preceding 10 (absences of no more than 90 days a year). Highly skilled employees of approved companies: 12 months plus 4 years with A2 Greek or 3 years with B1. |
| Exemptions | No exemptions from the knowledge exam have been published. The highly skilled route only relaxes the language level. Cyprus allows dual citizenship. |
Content areas in the official test (and in this quiz)
- Constitution and governmentHead of state, parliament, courts and the constitution.4 questions
- History and national symbolsIndependence, key dates, flag, anthem and other national symbols.9 questions
- Geography and societyCapital, geography, languages, currency and public holidays.6 questions
- Naturalisation rulesWhat the law requires for citizenship: residence, language, tests, fees and dual nationality.0 questions
Sample questions
Answer: 1960. Independence from Britain came on 16 August 1960; Independence Day is celebrated on 1 October.
Answer: EU in 2004, euro in 2008. EU membership on 1 May 2004; the euro on 1 January 2008.
Answer: House of Representatives. The legislature of the Republic of Cyprus is the single-chamber House of Representatives (Vouli ton Antiprosopon).
How to prepare
Book the Greek B1 certificate exam first (University of Cyprus sittings are in January and September); the knowledge exam is only held once a year in July.
Study post-1960 history, the 1960 Constitution and the institutions of the Republic in Greek – the paper is written for Greek readers.
Follow Cypriot news in the months before the exam; current affairs are part of the syllabus.
Cyprus citizenship FAQ
Is there a citizenship test in Cyprus?
Yes, since the 2024 reform. Applicants need a Greek B1 certificate and must pass a 25-question multiple-choice exam on Cyprus's political and social reality, run by the Ministry of Education's Examinations Service (€20, pass mark 60%).
How hard is the Cyprus citizenship exam?
Press coverage in 2026 described it as heavy on detailed trivia and pitched above B1 Greek; no official pass rate is published. You need 15 of 25 correct in 45 minutes.
How many years do you need to live in Cyprus to apply for citizenship?
Twelve months of continuous residence immediately before applying plus seven years within the preceding ten (about eight of the last eleven years). Highly skilled employees of approved companies can apply after 12 months plus 3 to 4 years.
What does Cypriot naturalisation cost?
€500 on filing plus two €8.54 stamps, and another €500 if approved; the knowledge exam is €20 and a University of Cyprus Greek certificate is €90.
Who decides Cypriot citizenship and how long does it take?
The Minister of Interior decides on the Civil Registry Department's recommendation. There is no statutory deadline; standard cases often take 3 to 4 years, while the highly skilled fast track targets 8 months.