How to Open a Bank Account in Cyprus as a Non-Resident

The Immediate Answer: Revolut or Wise

Both Revolut and Wise explicitly accept non-residents and can be opened from anywhere in the world, with no Cyprus address needed. If you need a bank account for Cyprus purposes right now — salary, transfers, utilities — start with one of these. They give you a full EU IBAN within minutes.

Can Non-Residents Open a Traditional Cyprus Bank Account?

Yes — but with caveats. All regulated Cypriot banks are permitted to open accounts for non-residents, but they are not required to, and individual banks have different policies in practice. Since the 2013 banking crisis, Cypriot banks have significantly tightened their Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures for international clients, which means non-residents face more scrutiny.

Which Banks Accept Non-Residents?

Best options for non-residents:

• Revolut — 100% online, no address needed, instant. Our top recommendation.
• Wise — also 100% online, no address needed, excellent for multi-currency.
• AstroBank — explicitly international-client focused. Best local bank for non-residents.
• Ancoria Bank — founded 2016 with international client base in mind.

Accept non-residents but process is more involved:

• Hellenic Bank — accepts non-residents; English-speaking staff; extra documentation required.
• Bank of Cyprus — accepts non-residents; more scrutiny; process can take 3+ weeks.

Documents Required for Non-Residents

For local banks, non-residents typically need:

• Valid passport (original, not a copy)
• Proof of foreign address (foreign utility bill, bank statement, or government letter — dated within 3 months)
• Source of funds documentation (payslips, employment contract, pension statement, or business accounts)
• Tax identification number from your home country
• Sometimes: reference letter from your existing bank or employer
• Sometimes: proof of connection to Cyprus (property ownership, business registration, or employment)

Do I Need a Cyprus Address?

Not for Revolut or Wise. For local banks, most will accept a foreign proof of address. However, some branches are stricter than others. AstroBank and Ancoria Bank are generally the most flexible. If you have a Cyprus address — even a hotel or Airbnb — bring documentation of it as supporting evidence.

Read our specific guide on opening without a Cyprus address →

Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU citizens can open bank accounts in Cyprus, but face higher scrutiny. You will need to clearly demonstrate your connection to Cyprus — such as property ownership, an employment offer, a business registration, or a residence permit application. Without a clear Cyprus connection, some banks may decline. Revolut and Wise remain available to non-EU citizens regardless.

The Practical Strategy

1. Open Revolut or Wise now — before doing anything else. You have a working EU IBAN within minutes, usable for salary, transfers, and bills.
2. When you arrive in Cyprus, visit AstroBank or Hellenic Bank with your documents to open a local account if you need one.
3. If you need a local account before arrival — consider a power of attorney arrangement with a Cyprus-based lawyer, or use AstroBank's partial online application process.

Companies Relocating to Cyprus

Many Israeli, Ukrainian, and Russian tech companies relocated to Cyprus after 2022. Their employees often need to open personal accounts quickly without being residents. In this situation, Revolut is the standard first step; then corporate HR teams often have relationships with Hellenic Bank or Bank of Cyprus to facilitate faster personal account opening for relocated employees.