A comprehensive package of legislative reforms prepared by our firm for the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, with the Registrar of Companies as beneficiary, has now been enacted. These reforms, which fundamentally redesign and consolidate the company (and other legal entity) certificates framework in Cyprus, introduce substantial updates to the operation and administration of registered entities.
Project Overview
Under the guidance of Kypros Ioannides and Michalis Georgiou, the firm supported the stakeholders in all the following key stages of the legislative lifecycle:
- Legislative drafting: Preparation of three principal amending bills and one regulation
- Public consultation: Assistance throughout the public consultation process
- Legal vetting: Support during examination by the Law Office of the Republic
- Parliamentary process: Appearance before the relevant Parliamentary Committee and support for changes introduced by Members of the House of Representatives.
Key Legislative Developments
The approved legislation introduces 64 new types of certificates and certificates of entries in the register—24 certificates and 40 certificates of entries—applicable to the full range of entities registered with the Registrar of Companies, including companies, overseas companies, European companies, European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIGs), business names, and partnerships.
The enacted laws and regulation are available for review:
- Law 155(I)/2025: Companies Law Amendment
- Law 156(I)/2025: Partnerships and Business Names Law Amendment
- Law 157(I)/2025: European Economic Interest Groupings Law Amendment
- Regulation 233/2025: European Public Limited Liability Company (SE) Regulation Amendment
Digital Modernization Initiatives
The new framework provides for the fully electronic issuance, dispatch, and certification of all certificates and certificates of entries, minimizing the need for in-person transactions.
Amendments introduced include:
- Qualified electronic stamps to ensure document authenticity and security
- QR code integration for real-time, mobile-friendly verification
- Bilingual certification: Certificates can be issued in both Greek and English, enhancing accessibility and cross border cooperation
- Introduction of new certificate types to address contemporary business requirements
Impact on Business Operations
These legislative changes are expected to:
- Reduce certificate issuance times via streamlined electronic processes
- Strengthen document security and cross-border usability
- Facilitate international transactions through bilingual certificates
Pending Implementation
Further implementing instruments—three separate decrees specifying the full range of new certificate types for all relevant categories—are currently pending legal vetting.
For guidance or further information regarding these changes or related corporate law matters, please contact our firm at info@hillc.legal.